Today I received the fourth envelope of holiday return address labels from a worthy (I guess) charity begging a donation. Other organizations send out calendars, key chains -- even coins -- knowing guilt is a great motivator. That might work if I needed the labels. But one batch is more than enough. So I wrote return to sender on the unopened envelope and re-mailed. It bounced back; fourth (or some) class mail doesn't include return postage. The first time I did actually feel guilty. Now I'm simply annoyed. If I send a few dollars my junk mail will grow exponentially. If I don't the organization may keep trying. Holiday giving suffers In these tough financial times. I feel sorry for the worthy charities unable to meet their quota. I decided long ago where my small donations would go, always anonymously, never by phone solicitation. Yet I still get pleading calls from a policeman's benevolent association even after asking that my name be removed from their list. The caller opens with a positive line, like how much can we put you down for this year? That's because I once donated $20 and they have never let me forget. I feel benevolent towards law enforcement officers and their families. But seems like they have access to other benevolencies like a paycheck, insurance, pensions. If I'm wrong, please accept my apology. But I have decided to donate my meager allocation elsewhere. In October I was involved in a pedestrian vs. vehicle accident, I being the pediestrian. Injury was slight, but I insisted on a police report. Hardly had a scab formed on my elbow before attorney solitications began arriving by mail. One included a "complimentary" copy of the accident report but, thankfully, no Santa return address labels. So far I've received a dozen more urging me to claim what I deserve, which means they didn't read the report, only my name and address. When I bought a car in April I begged the salesman to keep me off the communication fast-track. Nevertheless, my mail and emailboxes fill with Toyota envelopes. I'm supposed to rate each transaction, same as when I visit the doctor. Are people truthful, I wonder? Seniors receive a dozen mailings each week from insurance companies. Two years ago I subscribed to National Geographic magazine for my grandsons; now, I'm made aware of every book, video, map and whatnot they produce. And yet the post office is going broke. Back to the return address labels: Guys, find another product. But no matter what it is, please take me off your list.

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