Is Philadelphia trying to suppress recycling?
Christopher Tremoglie
The other day, I embraced my inner environmentalist and tried to get my mother a free recycling bin issued by Philadelphia’s Department of Streets. I figured it would be easy since there wasn’t any cost. I planned to show up, get the bin, and drive back to my mother’s house. However, when I tried to get one, I was stopped by multiple city workers and yelled at like I was trying to steal the Declaration of Independence.
HOW MANY PHILADELPHIANS MUST BE KILLED BEFORE THE CITY STOPS VOTING FOR DEMOCRATS?
“You need a government-issued ID to get a bin,” a city worker yelled at me.
“I do? The website says they are free. Why do I need an ID to get a free bin used to dump trash?” I asked.
“Because they’re government property, and those are the rules,” I recall being told.
“So, I need an ID to get a free recycling bin from the city, but I do not need an ID to vote in the city? So, our government cares more about trash than it does about voting?” I thought to myself.
A few other unpleasant words were exchanged, and I was summarily dismissed from the distribution center. I was told to either have an ID next time or not return.
Another reason they requested ID? So people don’t abuse the system and fraudulently take bins.
Over the years, Democrats have made many excuses why there isn’t any ID requirement when casting a vote. They have claimed requiring IDs is racist and “suppresses minority voter turnout.” They have argued it disenfranchises people and that it creates unnecessary obstacles. However, when it comes to getting a free, city-issued recycle bin, such excuses don’t matter, and the Democratic-controlled city requires an ID.
So, wouldn’t this mean that Philadelphia suppresses recycling by black and brown people? I ask this because Democrats, especially in cities such as Philadelphia, have repeatedly said it’s close to impossible for minorities to get IDs.
And, whenever someone made such a suggestion, they were accused of trying to suppress minority votes. But, if obtaining an ID is as challenging as Democrats claim, those same struggles would exist to get IDs to get recycling bins.
Is the city insensitive to the plight of minorities obtaining recycling bins? Is this an example of patriarchal dominance and systemic white supremacy of trash bins, that the city government only wants white people to recycle?
Comments from the former chairwoman of the Office of City Commissioners (which oversees Philadelphia’s elections), Stephanie Singer, a Democrat, echoed the notion that any laws requiring IDs were to suppress minorities.
“The purpose of the law is to suppress the vote of certain groups of people,” Singer previously said.
But here are the city’s official rules for picking up a recycling bin for weekly trash collection.
“Residential households can pick up a recycling bin at one of the City’s six sanitation convenience centers,” the city’s website reads. “Only one bin will be provided per visit. Each residential address can receive two bins per year. Only Philadelphia residents are eligible for a City-provided recycling bin. Bring a government-issued photo ID with you to prove your residency. If your ID does not have your current address, you should also bring a lease or utility bill,” the website advises.
There’s a huge inconsistency here. Philadelphia takes more precautions over free city-issued recycling bins used for trash than it does election security and voter fraud. Why do you need an ID to get a container to dump trash but not vote? Why is it (allegedly) impossible for racial minorities to obtain voting IDs, yet such obstacles miraculously vanish when getting a recycling bin?
Granted, Philadelphia’s voting laws are controlled by the state of Pennsylvania. So, in reality, Pennsylvania doesn’t require voting IDs. And according to the law, identification is required for people voting in a precinct for the first time or voting by mail. So, it isn’t complete voter ID-less anarchy.
Nevertheless, the mere suggestion of requiring IDs to vote is met with left-wing, agenda-driven backlash with accusations of bigotry and voter suppression. So, why is it different for recycling bins?
The answer, obviously, is that it isn’t. If people can get IDs for recycling bins, they can also do so to vote. Any claims of racism, bigotry, or suppression are ridiculous and invalid and should not be taken seriously.
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