Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | Follow the math carefully, children. The more you waste, the greater your reward.
Foolish people voluntarily saved water and spent their own money to do so. Their just reward is further reductions.
The average user did little or nothing. If they watered during the winter, they are rewarded with a higher quota. If they foolishly failed to do this, they will take a bigger cut.
And the ultra privileged win — those like Scott Peters, the poster child for waste, who famously urged others to save. Can you believe that poor man has to cut back to 535,500 gallons? He used over a million gallons in 2007 and he NEEDED it. Could you please donate part of your ration to him so he doesn’t have to suffer? (This new level is only 4.2 times what the average family used before cutbacks.) The city was tough on him and figured some of that water was being used outside! They decided that, being a rich guy, he needs 2.5 times what the city itself figures he needs. Yes, they’re pretending he has a family of 10. But get out your hankies. He’s being asked to make the biggest percentage cut of the politicians profiled. That cut is more than the little people USE annually.
Those who saved will pay 2 to 4 times if they go over their quota of say 100,000 gallons, plus fines. Peters, on the other hand, will pay the base rate for his 535,000 gallons.
So children, remember never to do the right thing. You will be punished. The more you misbehave, the more you will be rewarded.