Trash, DAMNED trash, and )%^&*#&$@$&*%^$! junkmail

[unixronin]

I have decided that I want junkmail to be a crime.  Conservation violation.  $1 per offense.

Each separate item mailed to each separate address to be considered a separate offense.

...Well, OK, no.  I'm not really serious about making it a crime.  But I DO want junk mail to be tariffed at a surcharged rate, not a discounted rate, and I want the US Post Office to be required to set up a means for any postal recipient to file a preference that says "Do not EVER deliver any mail to this address that is not individually addressed by name to a current resident", and then abide by it.  We just came within one semi-chance comment of losing a $450 unemployment check that got accidentally trashed because it was interleaved with a sheaf of ()%*)(@*&$(*&^()#%*&@%_)*@$^%$!! grocery-store circulars and advertising postcards.

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Comments

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Grocery-store and department-store circulars, which are the worst offenders, are still almost without exception addressed to OCCUPANT, RESIDENT, or POSTAL MAIL CUSTOMER.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

The grocery stores here aren't in the habit of mailing out circulars. (With grocery stores effectively being a duopoly between Shaw's/Star and Stop&Shop, maybe they don't feel a need to advertise.) However what I *do* get is the "Boston Globe Direct", which is a loosely-assembled circular full of ads for all sorts of local services. I don't even know who advertises in it because it goes straight into the recycle bin. It's loosely assembled, the bits come apart very readily, and it's a complete b*tch to remove from the mailbox because the loose flappy bits snag on the mailbox's metal seams. Furthermore it's all too easy for some vital piece of mail to get lost inside it, as you say.