No plastic bag tax for Seattle

In NFM's July issue, I wrote about the measures certain cities across the country (and, in fact, the world) are taking to eradicate the plastic bag. Seattle was on the list: A year ago, the city council voted to approve a 20-cent-per-bag tax in the city. But the tax was controversial. Some Seattle-ites claimed it would be too big a financial burden (an estimated $300 per year) on individuals who are already facing financial hardship. Others simply say a bag tax isn't enough -- plastic should be outlawed all together. Not surprisingly, the plastic lobby was PO'd. Then, on Tuesday, the tax, which was to start in January, was voted down by constituents: 58 percent to 42 percent. Read this Seattle Times POV on why the plastic-bag tax failed. Then tell us what you think... Is taxing plastic bags into oblivion the best way to combat this growing problem, or is there a better alternative?