It’s not rocket science to know that America is riding on a free fall of bad credit. We owe everybody, and we as individuals are like little Americas. We go around and shop with our eyes and must need this and that, sign the line on the bottom of a credit contract, and off we go. If only consumerism didn’t stink the morning after. We could sit alongside the news channel and watch the decline of consumerism, and the rise of the national debt. We could go buy cake on credit to celebrate.
No, I’m not cynical. I am whispering this message softly because I have barely escaped the fiasco with bad credit, bankruptcy, and a lot of stuff lying around my house, stuff I can’t really get comfortable with as truly being mine.I see the eyes of shoppers get watery with a great deal, a blowout sale, or Two for One. It’s the same song and dance, when I’m pulled through a mall, thrift store or a wholesale outlet with my girlfriend. The big red tags dangle from merchandise, like a white flag waving after a heated battle, only this battle is between the merchandise and that little piece of plastic in your purse or wallet.
I’m not playing anymore. I see plenty of documentaries on the free Hulu site to know that billionaires are jerks and government is in on it. Everything is a fund raiser for the next public deception. Romney had a lot of money, Gingrich did not. If you can’t amass millions of dollars, go the other route. No, I’m not ready to layer myself up and wait in a food line in the middle of winter, but I am willing to save real money for the things I want. I will have to wait to purchase something nice, but just think about the feeling of accomplishment when the item that you just bought was something simmering in your mind for awhile. Rich people don’t get satisfaction from buying things anymore. It’s like a sex addiction, you need to bring out the whips to get any satisfaction.
That’s why the rich are crabby, because playing with their shiny diamond studded Tonka trucks in the sandbox doesn’t do it for them anymore. They have to pick pick pick on the hands that serve them. If treating everybody with respect doesn’t light up the endorphins, then being an asshole will. We will eventually repay our debt by whoring ourselves to China. So, who cares about eating a seven course meal when people are starving a few blocks away. Humanity is a bitch and so is justice, because justice was served bribery, blackmail, and extortion a long time ago.
Copyright 2012. Erik Christian
This is me standing on my chair, hands over head clapping! Bravo.
So true. I don’t know how people can stand owing so much. I love shopping but I don’t go to the mall. I love getting what I need – ok some of it I could live without – for a great price. And I pay cash
well written and all too true. the current economy doesn’t help because we as a people haven’t learned any alternative to buying on credit if we don’t have the cash. thanks for the like. liked and followed. i’ll be back.
So very true and well written. You have so many good and interesting things to say. Thanks for checking out my blog!
ok..so this takes courage…being an american yourself… your writing has an attitude, not at all offending..looking forward to read more from you… and thanks for taking a peek in my blog…
Love your comedic cynicism. What I learned as a consumer with unlimited credit… Never buy antthing on impulse – if it doesn’t gnaw at you for weeks and if a month later you still have a desire to purchase it, then make some plans to buy it. It surprises me how many things I think I want and need are quickly forgotten about after 2 weeks.
More often than not, I use your approach to buying – as you say, it’s so easy to think you really want something.
I also find that doing a quick shop (with a list) saves you more money than a slow, relaxing shop – which gives the store’s offers & advertising a chance to work their hypnotic magic on you!
I found myself nodding to this. I too, have barely escaped the slavery that is credit. Going to reblog it, if you don’t mind.
That would be great!
Reblogged this on Everything's Just Research and commented:
This is written by a guy named Erik Christian. He’s got an awesome blog, so check it out. This particular post is spot on, so I thought I’d share it.
It appears to me that folk in the Western world are trying to feed a hunger they cannot quench… It is not one that can be fed by money and possessions, but by the spirit we feel we have lost.
Some great comments from your readers here, Erik. It’s so lovely to hear that there are others around who are seeing the hand that dangles the carrot.
Reblogged this on The Foley's Forum Blog and commented:
I know this blog has nothing to do with writing as such, but I felt its message is really important at this time… And so be it if it means you decide not to buy one of my books because of it!
SO relevant and SO well written… Will reblog!
Reblogged this on Rachel Schouten and commented:
I’ve not long been perusing the blogs on WordPress, but have already come across a fair few that have made me stop and want to applaud… This post being one of them! He has some other great posts on there too.
I just finished reading PT Branum’s book “The Art of Money Getting”. It is full of excellent advise that is as useful now as back when it was written. Sad thing is, Our government is breaking nearly every single rule he set forth. The biggest rule to me, never,ever spent more than you have in hand.
Thank you for another excellent essay.
We can resist the whirpool when we realize that what we truly need to be human are mostly not materialistic things. It helps a lot to have family members and friends who provide kindness, understanding, emotional support and yes, an occasional small gift, but mostly presence as we walk our beautiful planet.
So, so true!!
I still remember my great grandparents who lived through the depression telling my parents they were fools for buying an expensive car on credit. This generation understood the dangers of what we are facing because they lived through it. Oh how fast we forget!