| Phosphates -- a component found in many dish and laundry
detergents -- are one of the biggest pollutants of our nation's
waterways. Phosphates cause "massive algal blooms in waterways."
Algal blooms look like this and this and this and have adverse
effects on marine wildlife, not to mention human health. Oh, and
to help understand the financial and taxpayer costs of phosphate
pollution, here's a 13-page bibliography on the "economics of
harmful algal blooms." So, you know, a ban would help preserve
marine habitat, protect human health, and reduce the economic,
medical, and taxpayer costs associated with harmful algal
blooms. But...but...phosphates make my dishes sparkly! And, you
know, that's totally worth "beat(ing my) local legislator to a
bloody pulp" over! That's right, folks. Clean your guns, because
it's revolution time!