Curiouser and Curiouser

In the words of Alice in Wonderland, the world continues to get "curiouser and curiouser."  I could be writing about politics, and I could be writing about the climate, but instead, I'm going to write about the mail I opened today.  It didn't all come today, but as is my bad habit, anything that is apparently "junque," I leave unopened on the kitchen table until I can't stand the mess.....usually a couple of days or so.

Today's opening brought me a most eclectic selection and a host of guilt.  Each item includes a "free gift," and a return envelope to defray the cost of the "free gift" and provide a donation to the sending organization. Where to begin?

Let's start with the glossy map of the world:  The World of Smiles with said map on one side and on the other side, heartbreaking photos of 4 month old children with cleft palates and the same children after surgery. A second, smaller map on the side with the photos is color-coded to show how many surgeries have been performed in various locations around the world.  Of course the U.S. has 0 to 100.  Some countries have had as many as 100,000. Hard to toss this into the recycling bin - see guilt, above.

Next up:  4 blank greeting cards and envelopes produced from banana leaves, (no, I didn't make that up) created by hand by Rwandan women to earn income for their families.  This is a fundraiser for Women for Women International. Another worthy cause.  The envelopes have butterflies (of hope?) on them.  Considering that I wrote only 1 note this past year, this could supply me for four years.

Having obtained this supply of greeting cards, I was overcome by the next envelope filled with 5 more blank greeting cards AND matching address labels from Disabled American Veterans.  All but one card feature prominently displayed American flags, making these cards useful as possible Fourth of July cards, if one were to send Fourth of July cards. (see previous paragraph).

In a smaller, thinner envelope came another set of address labels, this time from the NH SPCA, saying "Every animal deserves a home."  They must have been reading my mind as I have been scanning the shelters for an adoptable dog.  The dogs and cats on the labels look very cute and soulful.  It occurs to me, however, that between these and the DAV labels, I now have a 2 year supply of address labels since I mostly pay my bills online.....and we know that I don't write cards or letters
any more.

I knew what was in the next envelope with Hillary Clinton's name emblazoned on the outside, but what is in the envelope from Michelle Obama? Well, to end the suspense, Michelle has written to ask me to contribute to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) to help ensure that we elect a Democratic Senate to help "preserve the progress we've made."  No address labels or greeting cards, just the ask for money. Furthermore, if I affix a stamp over the "No postage necessary if mailed in the U.S." square on the envelope my 49 cents will go toward electing a Democratic Senate.

The biggest surprise of the day was a letter from Kelly Ayotte, Republican Senator from NH asking me to join her "Leadership Team" and help her re-election bid.  Since Kelly and I share no philosophical, political or moral positions, it will be a cold day in Hell when I send money to her campaign.  Reading her letter practically sent me into apoplectic shock. It may, however, be the only piece of mail I actually respond to, using the envelope she so kindly enclosed, because I think she needs to know that she is pursuing a dead end with me and that she can take me off her mailing list.  I'll be sure to use an address label from the Disabled Vets, in case she questions my patriotism.

I'd love to be able to help provide surgery for the kids with cleft palates, food for the homeless dogs and cats and help for the disabled vets.  I would like to show my support for the candidates I support. But I am horrified by the amount of money spent on these unsolicited mailings, the cards, the labels, the use of trees to make the paper (or maybe banana leaves) and the huge amount of "stuff" that ultimately ends up either recycled or in the landfill.  If this were a one time occurrence at my house, it wouldn't be so bad, but I could write this same blog post over and over and over. Maybe I can try writing "return to sender" on the unopened envelopes and see if the P.O. will send them back their point of origin.