Hypocrisy of Consumerism

There is absolutely no doubt there has been rampant consumerism which has caused many to go into credit card debt. It is a problem, yes indeed! But we also have to admit that blatant hypocrisy exists in regards to corporations and consumerism. Based on our capitalistic-free market economy, it is consumerism that churns our economy. We are not only encouraged to spend; our government has given us tax credits to spend more and more. And not only are we encouraged to spend, the government had in the past told us not to save. Don’t pad your savings accounts with tax incentives-spend! We need to spend to jumpstart the economy. This has been the message to the American people for decades. But really, who does this economic theory benefit, you got it-Corporations! Hooray!

Still many want to condemn and criticize the American consumer, while corporations who spend lavish amounts of money on advertising and promotions get a free ride. Who is telling these corporations there is the need for responsibility and accountability? Perhaps corporations too should be more frugal. You see, here is the vicious cycle-corporations spend money to encourage us to spend money so they can make more money and give bonuses to their employees. Many Americans buy these products whether they can afford them or not and go into debt at the mercy of the credit corporations who in turn make more money off consumers. It is vicious and does no good for our overall economy.

So when we blame the American Public for consumerism and debt, isn’t that just a factor of a capitalistic, free market economy? If we saved and spent only what we could afford, would corporations make as much money? Would credit card companies even be in business? No, not if we spent what we earned. And what about all those entrepreneurs and future business leaders of tomorrow, can they hope to achieve their American Dream of becoming millionaires if the public didn’t buy into their consumer products? Heck no!

People have been complaining up and down about credit reform and what it will do to our economy and the credit industry, but it is the same people who blame consumers for doing what they are told to keep spending and keep these very companies rich and powerful.

If we believe in a fiscally responsible economy, then we cannot be narrow minded and blame one side or the other, because both corporations and consumers have been irresponsible. If we want a responsible, strong economy then we must have to learn that we cannot have everything we desire. We have to learn that we will have to earn and achieve our goals. Corporations simply cannot run over consumers in order to make billions, and consumers have to be responsible.

As Bill Maher has said on numerous occasions, “Can’t we just be happy with what we have? Why do we keeping wanting more?” I think that comment says tons about our society. We can’t be happy. We’re not happy when we need to keep filling ourselves with money and consumer goods to fill our hearts and minds. Remember the good old days when all we needed was love…., now we need love and all its material accessories.