Los Angeles Considers Bag Bans -- Other Bans to Consider

From Los Angeles County Unincorporated territories to Manhattan Beach, Big Government is making another big deal about plastic grocery bags.

Cloth bags, the intended replacement, will protect the environment from waste that resists being biodegradable, although it is still degrading for city governments to invest time and waste money going after limited private choices in their communities.

The prevalence of plastic in our oceans is hardly a concern compared to the red ink pouring over failing city budgets. The recessions has ended, but the rush to plug budget gaps remains a chronic point of contention for city leaders. Having cut city services at length, the rising costs of supporting retired workers and bolstering sagging funds for school districts and city events rivals any current cost-cutting measures.

Instead of banning bags, it's time that the South bags the looming pension obligations that threaten our cities. Instead of banning smoking, cities ought to investigate their addition to spending taxpayer dollars on empty services and extra servicemen beyond the needed capacities of a city's safety.

Instead of attacking the ways and means that shoppers use to move their groceries from check-out to car-trunk, municipal governments ought to invest some needed attention in lowering the tax base which dampens business. Instead of seeking wider streams of revenue through taxes, why not compete with public sector unions to demonstrate their true integrity and fealty to the citizens who they serve. The current budget crunch for city halls to state houses is oppressing everyone. In more flush times, city governments wanted to reward peace officers for their service and protection for communities. Now, with unfounded lawsuits and foolish state police actions abounding, city council leaders must reassess how great a dole they wish to deal out to city workers.

Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin showed no fear in taking on public sector unions, in spite of the loud crowds that took up the capital, screaming scandal and offense. Even public servants end up paying taxes, and most employees want a job that they can go to until they retire. Granted, current pension contracts cannot be unilaterally terminated, but perhaps city leaders in the South Bay can appropriate some of Walker's Badger courage and demand release from exorbitant contracts with public sector unions.

Beyond assessing the cost of public employees, city leaders ought to consider how much time it takes to open a new business in the South Bay. How much land does each city own, which could be sold and reap greater financial gains, while at the moment sitting vacant and without profit? How many city officials still line the hallways of our city governments, and how many of them are actually necessary for the minimal safety and security of our communities?