Will the stimulus package curb or spur consumerism?

[brentspeak]

Or: no effect?

We have to kill consumerism, not further encourage it. That is, if we want to survive as a nation.

[dkf]

1. How does killing consumerism help our nation?

Isn't that what is spiraling down now? You want more of this lack of auto sales, home sales and retail sales?

That means less jobs, more unemployed.

I don't see what your goal is.

[tigereye]

2. well, people do need some basic necessities of life, but I agree we as a nation

were too engaged in lots of unnecessary spending, for the sake of spending and keeping up with the Joneses, or something...


I think the package was designed to keep people working and in their homes... and keep necessary state and local services intact...

[Mnemosyne]

3. Many in this country have been 'taught' to value themselves, and others, based

only on what they 'own'.

Very sad.

[Mnemosyne]

4. There will always be some form of "consumerism", problem is

it ended up hyper-charged.

Interesting thread, brentspeak. Thanks for the thoughts. :hi:

[Occam Bandage]

5. I'm perfectly fine with consumerism, and hope the stimpack encourages it. nt

[brentspeak]

6. Well, then go ahead and charge your credit card till you're drowning in debt

and your corporate masters are laughing themselves silly. Knock yourself out. :eyes:

[Occam Bandage]

7. Belief in a consumption-driven economy doesn't necessitate

belief in irresponsible debt. Such predatory and usurious lending practices end up causing bubbles in the short term and a choked economy in the long run. Consumerism is entirely compatible with increased regulation on the supply side of things.

Is a consumerist economy the best of all possible ones? No, of course not, but it's hardly the worst, and frankly I'm not of the belief that it's best to give your car's engine a tune-up when it's teetering over a ledge. Fixing it when it's on solid ground is a good idea, and rebuilding it better if it's fallen and demolished is a good idea, but trying to fix it when it's teetering might well cause it to go tumbling over the edge.