I recently read a long article in another newspaper, a member of a chain of papers. They often have lengthy pieces, well researched, which a company that size can afford to do. This one was from the CEO of S.C. Johnson, a well-known Wisconsin company. It seems this man enjoys diving in various waters and became concerned about the amount of waste plastic in the waters all across the world. He further became interested in the microfibers of plastic left when plastic breaks down. This is a worldwide problem that space here does not permit detailing. Let us just say it is an important issue for the health of waterways of all sizes and the creatures within those waterways worldwide. Check it out!

This man allied himself and his company with several other companies, including Walmart, with the goal of making sure that plastic that should be recycled is actually recycled and not put in landfills as is happening now worldwide. In his article he detailed the strides this consortium of multi-million-dollar businesses has already assembled. He further mentioned the need for governments across the world to be involved and asked that readers of his piece call their senators and congressmen and ask the U.S. Congress to get our country involved.

As this is how our government is SUPPOSED to work, I called my senators and my congressman. One senator has an answering machine and really, do not wait for an answer. The other is very active in her job and her staff was quite helpful in taking down the information for the senator. Then I called my congressman. I explained the situation and gave them full information on how they can contact this man, his organization and even the email of the person who wrote the article. My congressman’s assistant then told me to go to my local Florence Township meeting and bring it up there! It is already a worldwide organization. What in heaven’s name would my local township have to do with it? This is a matter for our Congress to address.

I think a better question is, why was this congressman elected in the first place and then re-elected. By the way, he votes against veterans consistently and against Social Security benefits and Medicare. Now with the U.S. House of Representatives at a standstill, I wonder what he does do — I mean, once he cashes the check that we pay him.

Perhaps the folks in my district should think beyond just the party letter behind his name before voting next time.