I'm with the writer. The failure to return a cart is an expression of self-importance, laziness and utter lack of respect for the store employees who have to wrangle the carts and to other customers whose vehicles the stray carts may damage.
It's not a huge ordeal to return a cart, and if you're smart, when you're looking to park, just look for a space near a cart return, knowing you'll be inevitably using one once you've loaded your groceries into your vehicle.
After losing a lung to cancer it is difficult to return the cart. I usually part near a cart in the parking lot and use it like a walker to get to the store. If I return the cart it is difficult getting back to my car.