Salt Lake City rises 4,200 feet above sea level. The largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere sludges with methylmercury, stagnates beneath skeeters that swarm west of the Capitol. Commerce clusters Temple Square, where believers engage tourists with facts about God.

It’s against the law to give cash to panhandlers from cars on freeway off-ramps. Spontaneous expressions of generosity undermine the houseless. Money purchases poor decisions. Monetary remuneration for unrendered services is an abomination. Work is an expression of morality; in terms of virtue, earning is equal to giving. Unless political in nature, donations should be tax-deductible. Consortiums are more capable than people, which is why we institutionalize the individual.

Good behavior is difficult when one doesn’t practice it regularly. I’ll try harder, I think.