The Village of Southampton has passed a bill prohibiting retailers from issuing non-biodegradable bags. Violators face a $1,000 fine and up to 14 days in jail. While this move, motivated over concern for the environment, can be viewed as commendable, one has to question whether it has gone too far. Where do we draw the line on government intervention? What's next? Are plastic bags that much more of a concern than everything else we consume and utilize that is not biodegradable? There also has to be the question of costs to local retailers already reeling from a struggling economy. Many have invested thousands of dollars placing logos and other branding on bags that now have to be scrapped and replaced with a new supply of bags. Sometimes I wonder if things like this happen out of boredom. The economy has to be of great concern to all of us, but is the trouble this drop in the ocean measure will cause worth it? I'll let you decide.
