Call me crazy, but I think it takes a little more malicious intent to intenionally hotwire someone's car than it does to take a cart out of the parking lot.
That is to say, "stealing" a shopping cart is probably more of a case of negligence/carelessness/absentmindedness more than anything.
See, now you're just shifting the goalposts.
You're taking something that's not yours against the will of the owner. It's stealing, and I'd strongly recommend you stop pretending otherwise before you make yourself look like an even bigger moron.
I'm not "moving the goalposts" as you put it. My whole point in my first post was that there's a difference in intent, so the two situations are hardly comparable. That's why I said it's not like they're selling parts in a chop shop and shit.
You then said that it's no different in hotwiring a car. Hotwiring a car takes a lot more fucking focus and knowledge than pushing a cart a few blocks. Yes, I realize that someone pointed out that they know of people who have taken carts five miles from the closest store, but I don't think it's fair to call that kind of distance typical of all situations. You have to kind of fucking learn how to hotwire a car. Other than walking, you don't have to fucking learn how to push a fucking cart.
Also, I'd like you to consider something. I know this shit pisses you off, but have you ever considered that for some people there's not many more viable options? They may not have a car or be able to drive. They might not have anybody who can bring them to the store. They might not be able to afford a $50 personal cart, or the stores nearby might not even sell shit like that. Hell, if they had other options that are workable, they might just take them!
