The motto of the United States of Consumption is "In More We Trust." The contribution of American culture to humanity is consumption obsession. Our epidemic of obesity, our land gluttonous suburban sprawl, our monster-size environmental footprint, our ravenous automobile addiction, and our heartless greed are symptoms of a deep-seated, sick mental state that keeps the economy humming. And it keeps increasing economic inequality and apartheid.
Mass consumption is also a distraction from the self-inflicted defeat facing working- and middle-class Americans in the class war they are losing. Americans are enslaving themselves with their spending and delusional prosperity. The rich and super-rich in their McMansions, luxury cars, yachts, swank spas and private jets surely are laughing at how easy it is to manipulate the 80 percent of the population that keeps enriching them.
Many common folks are deluding themselves that they have a fair shot at joining America's super-rich - those households worth at least $10 million. According to an Elite Traveler poll, they will be spending 25 percent more this year than last on holiday parties, travel, and shopping. Among the top holiday spending categories: spirits for entertaining (up 57 percent to $22,300) and yacht charters (up 12 percent to $410,600). The awesomely affluent will also be averaging $91,100 on holiday jewelry, $36,400 on designer fashions, $52,000 on luxury watches, and $25,700 on flat screen TVs and other electronics. Nearly 25 percent of them will travel by private jet just to shop for holiday gifts. Of course, there are many Americans who do have a good chance of joining the super-rich. They are the rich Americans.
Any regular person who does not understand that Americans are in a class war is out of touch with our economic reality. Rich and powerful elites that are running and ruining our country have the upper hand. Wiping out the middle class to create a two-class society nationally and globally suits them. The Upper Class can steer most wealth to themselves and spread a small amount around to keep the Lower Class content enough not to revolt. Ordinary people have a powerful weapon to fight their oppressors, yet have not yet used it. It is their money, more specifically their discretionary consumer spending. The reasons for not controlling and politicizing their spending merit examination. Time is running out to understand why millions of supposedly rational people spend themselves into economic slavery.
The paradox is that though the rich and powerful rig many aspects of the economy, financial markets, and international trade, they remain dependent on consumer spending to create national wealth and keep the economy healthy, because it accounts for some 70 percent of the GDP. In one sense, they are not able to physically force people to spend money. But in another sense they have done something nearly as effective.
They use the mass media, marketing, advertising and technological change to stimulate consumer demand for a host of products and services that people could easily live without. Compulsive consumer spending results from training, conditioning and brain washing that starts in childhood. In a highly stressful society it becomes a form of self-medication. To conform, fit in and deem oneself successful, Americans unquestioningly and reflexively shop until they drop, borrow until they hurt, and spend until they go bankrupt. They have lost control. Personal and household progress is not measured in terms of real increases in income, savings or net worth (wealth), but rather as the consumption of more stuff. People may not have good health insurance or economic security or the money for their kid's college education, but they have a large plasma TV, a new cell phone and other electronic gizmos. They are networked and connected, and downloading themselves into economic oblivion.
While the Upper Class spends obscene sums on luxury products and services, the economic system creates relatively low prices for mass consumer goods. The key to this strategy has been globalization that uses low cost foreign labor to satisfy the consumption addiction of the Lower Class. Americans have lost and will continue to lose good-paying jobs, but are kept in check with low-priced products appropriate for lower-wage jobs. National wealth is created, but not shared equitably with working- and middle-class Americans. Those who own Wal-Mart became billionaires while providing what is necessary to stabilize the Lower Class.
Easy borrowing is the other way to keep the Lower Class spending and in stressful debt. Borrowing is spending. Credit cards, debit cards, ATMs, education loans and seductive mortgages keep borrowed prosperity alive. Money spent on interest and all sorts of fees pumps up the enormous financial services sector that has replaced domestic manufacturing as the core of the American economy. Debt is better than chains to keep economic slaves docile. Borrowing for home, car and consumer goods purchases creates massive wealth for the Upper Class, while indebtedness keeps the Lower Class compelled to take whatever jobs the system makes available.
Who paid the $40 million bonus for 2006 given to Morgan Stanley CEO (just part of the $16 billion paid in company bonuses)? Where did the company profits come from? Ultimately, it was many millions of working stiffs that paid higher prices for goods and services so that fees could be paid to the banking companies producing the enormous profits that enabled those obscene salaries and bonuses in the financial services sector. Capitalism and the profit motive are fine. But things have gotten completely out of control. Insane corporate compensation saps an inordinate amount of wealth from society. The greed-masters do NOT create wealth – they legally steal it from the system. This is reflected in this awful statistical reality: The share of the nation's income going to wages and salaries, according to the Commerce Department, has shrunk to 51.8 percent, the lowest share since 1929.
Illegal immigration was another stroke of genius to increase corporate profits. There have always been hordes of very poor people in Mexico and other third world nations. What changed was the decision among the power elites to make jobs readily available to all illegal immigrants that could get into the country. And political influence was used to ensure that the government would not effectively protect our borders. After gutting labor unions, corporate bigwigs realized that illegal immigrants offered the easiest way to depress all wages for ordinary workers. The icing on the cake was that illegal workers would increase demand for imported, low priced goods.
Another sector creating enormous wealth for the Upper Class is gambling, both legal and illegal. It is at remarkable levels among Lower Class people. This is just another form of spending that is critical to another core economic sector – entertainment and leisure. Gambling is the opiate of the masses, and local and state governments eagerly sanction gambling to expand tax revenues, necessary to offset the losses due to lower wages and the high costs of providing government services to illegals and the poor. Speaking of taxes, the more people spend, the more regressive sales taxes they pay. Compulsive consumer spending is important to minimize the tax burden on the Upper Class.
What is the holiday season all about? Wake up! It is not about whatever religious beliefs you have. It is all about spending. The only way to win the class war is to withhold discretionary consumer spending to obtain what is necessary from our MISrepresentative elected officials. Stop spending until our delusional president ends the loss of American lives and treasure in Iraq or the congress withholds funding for it, for example. The best gift of all to give to your loved ones is a drastic slowdown in your spending!
A tiny fraction of Americans have tried to shake consumption cravings, but obviously nothing has caught on sufficiently to reform our culture. A group in San Francisco, known as "the Compact," swore off buying new things, with very few exceptions. They have bought secondhand, bartered, borrowed, recycled and reused. As one member said, "And people hate us for it? Like it drives them nuts?" They are accused of being un-American. Another campaign is Buy Nothing Day. People are urged to take a 24-hour break from the consumption compulsion on the day after Thanksgiving. The book "Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping" was a success. Yet these and other efforts have not put a dent in the nation's voracious consumption. In More We Trust remains strong.
All these marginal efforts only offer psychological or spiritual benefits for committed individuals. Like any addiction, ending compulsive consumption is difficult. By politicizing reduced consumption through buycotts, political gains offset any "suffering" from reduced consumption. So consider tradeoffs between less consumption and political actions that you feel are strongly needed. Your dollars are much more powerful than your votes.
www.delusionaldemocracy.com
Joel S. Hirschhorn is the author of Delusional Democracy - Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government (www.delusionaldemocracy.com). His current political writings have been greatly influenced by working as a senior staffer for the U.S. Congress and for the National Governors Association. He advocates a Second American Revolution, beginning with an Article V Convention to propose constitutional amendments. He is Chair of the Independent Party of Maryland.
Joel, you are absolutely accurate about the problem but not necessarily the cause. I suggest that advertising, particularly television advertising, fuels the consumption mentality. In terms of a class war analysis, the consumption phenomena cuts both ways - it leads to increased desires for an overall improved living standard for the working class while at the same time putting them into debt as you suggest. It is the social/environmental consequences of consumption that are far more devastating. Our high rate of incarceration and drug abuse are examples, not to mention an absence of political will to address important problems such as global warming. What advertising has accomplished is a fundamental shift in the "meaning of life" for many. Instead of family and community, momentary satiation becomes a principal life goal. I don't think this is an intended result by the advertisers or the moneyed class. Rather the advertisers are just trying to sell a product, and this is an unintended consequence. The sooner we can come to appreciate what has happened, the faster we can fix things.
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Patrick Coony (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Monday, December 18, 2006 at 1:35:05 PM
The whole consumption-driven economic system is very intentionally maintained. It is fair to look at it all and conclude that Americans have been drugged, put into a consumption addiction that is actually working against the real interests of all but the rich Upper Class. The whole advertising-marketing machine has absolutely no concern about unintended social and environmental consequences. That's the point - when the only value is driving growth and prosperity for the Upper Class at the expense of working- and middle-class people, then the consumption addicted population has become economic slaves, spending against their own interests. Plus, many impacts of our sick economic system just create more business opportunities for the corporate world. I predict a trillion dollar business for dikes to protect all coastal cities because of sea level rise from global warming. I see no effective solution other than a significant part of the population using spending slowdowns for political purposes.
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Joel S. Hirschhorn (126 articles, 31 quicklinks, 58 diaries, 508 comments)
on Monday, December 18, 2006 at 1:57:51 PM
...one unspent dollar at a time. That's how I am fighting the system.
Of course, this is an easily accomplished goal when one is unemployed. It's hard to spend a dollar when you don't have a dime. I am celebrating this Commerce Day by not buying a single gift for anyone I know.
Do I feel bad about this? I'd be lying if I said, "No, not at all." However, I'd also be lying if I said, "Yes." In truth, I am somewhere in the middle. It's embarrassing, but after three Xmases without being able to buy anything for anyone, I am pretty much used to it.
The only gift I will give this Commerce Day is myself in all my unbridled glory...such as it is. Maybe I'll practice a little harder and play the harp so we can all sing Silent Night, or What Child Is This together. Perhaps for good measure and to show I am not anti-semitic, maybe I'll play a rousing bit of Oh, Hanukkah.
It's all I have to offer. I'd gladly offer more if I could. However, because of this economy, I have more or less been rendered obsolete. I never thought I'd see the day where my computer and electronic skills would be worthless, especially in such a plugged in society. I keep sending resumes, but few seem to want to hire a forty-four year old man.
Oh well, at least I can write here. It's not the same as getting a paycheck, but at least I feel like I am contributing something to the world around me.
Blessed be!
Pappy
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Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 860 comments)
on Monday, December 18, 2006 at 4:47:21 PM
If you check the "participation rate" for U.S. workers you will find that it is now around 63 prcent. This means that, of the approximately 230 million people of working age in the U.S., 80 million don't have a job. Of these 80 million, approximately 40 millon are between the ages of 50 and 62(this couldn't possibly be "age discrimination" - that's against the law!). But the government claims that only 5 percent of the work force are "unemployed". The rest, according to (well paid(off)) establishment economists, have "chosen leisure". I guess that includes you. I too was working in the computer business until around age 50 when I lost my job. I guess I must have chosen leisure too. But there is still hope. Bill Gates is now asking the government to do away with all legal immigration restrictions in the computer industry because the U.S. doesn't have enough local workers(citizens) to fill these positions. So if you change your mind about working(and give up your treasured "leisure time") just contact him to give him the good news that you are available.
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Bacchus (15 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 34 comments)
on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 6:57:17 AM
...I just feel invisible. I also feel like I have been shucked onto the scrap heap of life long before I was ready to go there.
If you check the "participation rate" for U.S. workers you will find that it is now around 63 prcent. This means that, of the approximately 230 million people of working age in the U.S., 80 million don't have a job. Of these 80 million, approximately 40 millon are between the ages of 50 and 62(this couldn't possibly be "age discrimination" - that's against the law!).
Yes, age discrimination is against the law, as is lying to congress. However, as of yet, no one's put up much of a ruckus about that except the fine folks who write articles and comments here. I sometimes wonder why government officials set up laws they are bound and determined to violate as soon as the opportunity arises. Maybe they do lots of make-work so they can appear as if they are doing something of great import. If you ask me, it all looks suspiciously like physical and mental masturbation.
But the government claims that only 5 percent of the work force are "unemployed". The rest, according to (well paid(off)) establishment economists, have "chosen leisure". I guess that includes you.
Chosen leisure? Huh? I haven't chosen this shit! Who in their right mind would chose to watch their life, reality, and car fall to pieces before their eyes? That's not leisure, that's Purina Depression Chow.
I guess all the companies, employment agencies, and other organizations to whom I send NUMEROUS resumes on an almost daily basis must think I am doing that as a leisure time activity as well. Funny, I thought I was doing it in desperation. I thought I was doing it so I could have money to afford leisure. This isn't leisure, it's degradation.
Leisure to my mind implies enjoyment. I haven't enjoyed myself since the last time I had money to take myself out to a steakhouse to chow on a burnt to a cinder piece of cow meat. That was a little over three years ago. Leisure, where the fuck do those assholes come up with that sort of shit? HAH!
I too was working in the computer business until around age 50 when I lost my job. I guess I must have chosen leisure too. But there is still hope. Bill Gates is now asking the government to do away with all legal immigration restrictions in the computer industry because the U.S. doesn't have enough local workers(citizens) to fill these positions. So if you change your mind about working(and give up your treasured "leisure time") just contact him to give him the good news that you are available.
I already worked for that fuck head answering his phones. I'd sooner take a long walk off a short pier, or find someone to pimp me out to guys into fat forty-four year olds.
Besides, he wouldn't want me, I am a hardware sort of guy. While I obviously understand enough about software to have set up my Windoze 2000 box, and enough to finally get PHLAK Linux working on this box (albeit somewhat ker-chunky), I am much more into doing hardware operations. Of course, I have also set up a computer BBS (remember those?), a LAN using Lantastic under DOS 6.22 (and Windoze 3.11), and so much more. Since I don't have any certificates, I'm pretty much worthless. I also don't have money to take the cert tests, so I am double fucked.
I guess I'll just hang out in leisure land until my health fails once and for all. Then I can hang out in a brass urn.
Blessed be!
Pappy
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Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 860 comments)
on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 3:34:52 AM
Unbridled consumerism is based on the greed factor. I always heard about setting goals and achievments. Some never have enough.Really greedy people never have peace of mind. I look around my little apt and see many things I do not need, but spent money on so I would not feel left out. I have a printer, but cannot afford the ink. I have two TV's.One in the living room and one in bedroom. I have broadband that I can barely afford and now I see a few CD's I rarely listen to.All this was bought with money I earned and could use more of ,to buy more crap. Mine is the ugly side of human nature. I did joke a few years ago ,when I could not stop buying clothes, that I would win " best dressed" at the poor house. I drive a 10 year old car and it still runs good but will have trouble replacing it, if I need to. I have lived this way my whole life surrounded by people who save and plan for the future. My future is here and I am still poor.So f--king what. I was born with empty pockets and I will die with empty pockets.All you overachievers need to get a grip and stop worrying about your declining life style.
Some rich, but dumb woman asked me where I saw myself in 5 years, as I applied for a housekeeping job. I told her I would be lucky if I were alive.That is all the planning I can do.So give yourself a break and let the rich worry about who they are going to rip off next. I moved to Florida 15 years ago so I could stay on permanent vacation.Adjust your priorities .. Let peace of mind rule your days and hope you can pay the rent.I also buy lottery tickets once in a while,too. My financial planing.
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cluelessfl (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 184 comments)
on Monday, December 18, 2006 at 8:04:41 PM
"Clueless, If you saved $30.00 this year, you would have that much in the bank, and maybe feel better about your self, and your finances! Find a Credit Union whose mimnimum is 30.00, and after you save that much in a jar, start a savings account.
Next, if you could manage to save $3.00 a month, that would be a good start!
by
jonette (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 9 comments)
on Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 9:01:12 PM
7 comments
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