Mailbag: Banning plastic bags isn’t a government function

The plastic bags tirade and the need of our government to continue as a granny state, as stated in the June 11 Huntington Beach Independent mailbag “Banning plastic bags serves the greater good” by Brad DeFord, is a sad commentary of misunderstood facts.

DeFord is wrong in saying that “the purpose of government is justice.” The purpose of government (on a local level) is simply to govern; keep the streets in good repair, sewers and lights, police and fire departments, etc. The banning of plastic bags is certainly not a government function.

The fact that millions of trees are cut to make paper bags seems to be lost on DeFord. Nor does he mention that we are essentially a plastic society these days.

Besides, plastic bags are recycled. If DeFord finds an errant one on the street or on the beach, he should simply put it where it belongs.

Joseph Caro

Huntington Beach