To Shop or Not to Shop, That is the Question

One of the busiest shopping days of the year is upon us.

The day is coming in the midst of a massive financial meltdown that few Americans fully understand. They've heard the words "bailout" and "stimulus" but have many questions---questions which some in Congress may not even be able to answer themselves.

Americans are losing homes (foreclosures are up), jobs (unemployment rate is up), tuition and health care costs are rising, and wages are stagnant.

Primarily, Americans receive a minimum wage when they should be receiving a living wage.

The wars we are waging (under the umbrella of the reckless, immoral, and frivolous "war on terror") have looted our treasury. And now the government is letting corporations engage in more looting as corporations claim to be "too big to fail."

The future is filled with uncertainty yet Obama has dampened discontent among the people. Many are optimistic and filled with hope. They expect something from Obama and think they will get a "New New Deal."

Will this have any bearing on whether or not Americans choose to shop tomorow? I doubt it. I do not think too many Americans will decide whether or not to shop tomorrow after considering the state of American politics.

Since politicians and the news have not clearly stated that we are in a recession, some Americans think we are and some think we are not. Few would be able to tell the difference between a recession and a depression (and I am one of those few).

I think, like porn, I will know it when I see it. When we are no longer in a recession and have advanced into a depression, I and others will just be able to tell.

I hope (like many others) we do not enter a depression. So, when considering the economy, it may be a good thing people are shopping tomorrow. Our economy requires consumers. So, Christmas is just the thing to give it a kickstart.

After the election, I found a flier in Chicago that congratulated Obama on his win and then asked me to shop at a military surplus store so I could help stimulate the economy. Unfortunately for our economy, I did not shop at the store and therefore did not stiumulate the economy so shame on me. (Right?)

What will you be doing tomorrow?

Will you be stimulating the economy or will you be refusing to bailout the economy?

Will you be shopping or not?

*Please describe your adventures in the comments section if you do go shopping.

Or, if you go out to shopping areas to hand out literature or materials in support of cause, write about your experiences.

I'm sitting this one out. I wish I could venture out into the wild and observe but not this year. Maybe next year. I have too much work to do for college---work I put off so I could write on a daily basis throughout the election.

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