Charging For The Air We Breathe

@Rozie37 (15499)
Turkmenistan
January 28, 2008 6:52pm CST
If they could find a way, they would. I just heard on the news last night that they are going to start changing higher fees for ATM use. They are also going to start charging $1.50 to $2.50 for the plastic bags that we put out groceries in. This is outrageous to me. They milk us for every little dime that we have. I am now considering leaving California and going some where where the cost of living is cheaper. I think that a lot of these companies sit around trying to figure out creative ways to charge of for every thing they can think of. One of these days, there is going to be a universial breathing fee for your entire household.
3 people like this
7 responses
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
29 Jan 08
Shhhhh, don't give them any ideas! I'm sure there is going to be a universal fee for air too! I remember when air for your tires was free at the gas stations. The last time we stopped for air, the machine was a pay machine!!! Yup, I'm sure our air will be on a meter before we know it! I'm sorry, but $2.50 for a plastic grocery bag is outrageous! I know they are probably trying to encourage the use of bags that are not disposable and aren't made with petroleum products but that is outrageous!
3 people like this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
29 Jan 08
I do not drive, so I had no idea that they are charging to put air in your tires now. That is very sad. If these plastic bags are so bad for the environment, why don't they just make them out of something different.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (93740)
• United States
29 Jan 08
They are starting to encourage people to buy hemp bags, and take them in the store with you. But one hemp bag is not going to carry all my groceries. Plus, wouldn't that make stealing easier?
2 people like this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
29 Jan 08
I will have to look up hemp bag. I do not know what that is. I do not drive, so I usually take a backpack with my to the store and put my items in there. It works well for the bus ride.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Jan 08
I believe that they will start charging us for breathing. I wouldn't doubt if they started charging for us to walk, you know how they charge for bus, car, plane transportation. Why not charge people for walking down the street, it is a form of transportation. They charge people to use the bathroom in some parts of the u.s.a. No joke a quarter for you to use the bathroom. We aren't even free to pee!! This is ridiculous! Something needs to be done about all of this crap, because alot low income families are taking big hits into their income just for the stupid crap that the economy is charging us for to use on a daily basis.
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
30 Jan 08
It is really sad. Especially, when they and over charge for the things that we can not do without. A lot of the restrooms in resturants out here charge a quarter to use them. I am on a fixed income, so every penny counts. I can not afford to just throw away my money here and there, I have to budget. But I thank God that he gave me the gift of creativity. I can find a better, more cost effective way to do things.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Jan 08
i lived in san diego for a couple of years. lets just say i am glad to be away from there. there apartments are so expensive! i bet that if you wanted to live in a cardboard box out there they would still want 700 dollar rent. it is crazy!
1 person likes this
@onesiobhan (1327)
• Canada
29 Jan 08
Banks are increasing their ATM because of their losses due to sub-prime lending. It's a problem across the entire country so I don't think moving to a different state will help. If banks were more restricted on what risks they were allowed to take - as they are in other countries - they probably wouldn't have seen such a large economic impact. As for plastic bags, I think stores should charge for them, it might discourage people from using them. Get reusable cloth bags, they are much better for the environment.
2 people like this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
29 Jan 08
It seems odd to me that they would come out with good ideas, get us use to them, and then start charging for the convenience. Didn't they see the potential problems ahead of time. Now I will admit that I do not know too much about this ATM thing. I do know anything about subprime lending and such. All I see is that they have found an excuse to charge us more. I know that they knew that the shopping bags were not biodegratable when they first started manufacturing them, why didn't they just make them out of some that was safe for the environment. It still isn't too late. All I know is that those particular bags are not worth paying for.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (93740)
• United States
29 Jan 08
I used to live in California as a small child. My mom is so glad we don't live there now. It's crowded, and it is also beauitful. But so expensive. I'm fine where I am, and am thankful that cost of living here is relatively inexpensive compared to most of the country. Of course, it's relatively inexpensive, but you still have to have some money. LOL, something I don't have much of, but who does?
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
29 Jan 08
The only things that keeps me in California is the weather and my family. I have never lived where it snows and I have Asthma, so that would make living most places in the United States very hard.
1 person likes this
@Ann2407 (305)
• China
29 Jan 08
i really can't imagine such days' coming,i once read a article about this topic,the whole society is under the wealthy's control ,and the poor need to work for not only the bread but also the air they breathe,that is a ill-natured society,and i hope such a day will never come.Thanks for sharing!
2 people like this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
29 Jan 08
I agree with you. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@vera5d (4005)
• United States
30 Jan 08
have you ever seen the movie spaceballs? the planet they live on was running short on air, so they sold it in cans, lol your post reminded me of it!
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
30 Jan 08
I have never even heard of that movie, but it sounds interesting. How do they get the air in and out of the can? I can understand selling it in a balloon or ever a plastic sack. Oh wait, I was thinking about a soda can and you are probably talking about a spray can. Alright, now I see what you are saying. Lol, that is funny and sad at the same time.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
4 Feb 08
How right you are! A few years ago there was a big argument going on in my home town over raising the cost of sewage. Of course, they got their rate increase, as is almost always the case but at the time they were debating it one of my co-workers made the remark that he didn't see how they could do it because in his opinion it would amount to a "Right to Sh*t Tax". So, I guess breathing would be the next logical thing to charge us for. Annie