Economic downturn hits home for cookie lovers

I've watched the news and seen the headlines about companies closing and workers being furloughed. I've noted the proliferation of frugal living stories on shows from Oprah to the Today Show. I've quietly acknowledged the higher prices at the grocery store. But I can be silent no more...

I read this story on CNN.com tonight:

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Eating a box of Girl Scout Cookies in one sitting will be a little bit easier this year: The Girl Scouts of the USA confirmed Wednesday that it has reduced the number of cookies per box to save money because of rising transportation and baking costs.

When with this madness end? If I'm going to pay $3.50 for a box of Thin Mint cookies (x5), then I expect to get maximum Thin Minty-ness. That means 32 cookies, not 28. How am I supposed to be satisfied with one sleeve of Thin Mints when the sleeve only contains 14 cookies?

I'm going to write my Congressmen and I suggest you do the same. We need government intervention. My right to a truly full box of those delicious thin wafers covered with a smooth chocolatey coating is being infringed. We need a bailout for the Girl Scout cookie bakers!

As citizens of the United States -- and those of us who are inhabitants of one of the fattest states in the union -- we cannot take this sitting down. This year it's the Thin Mints; next year who is to say it won't be the Tagalongs?

So please, find your cookie voice and use it to speak out against this travesty. It may not just be your Thin Mints you can rescue. One day your grandchildren may thank you for taking a stand.