In many ways, I’ve always been a non-conformist and a minimalist, though during much of my life, it certainly didn't appear that way. My typical, middle-class, post-World War II family was not untypical of the changes that occurred in the socio-economic demographics and lifestyle of that era. My parents grew up through the Depression years. Their lives were minimalist. My father's work ethic was that of the nearly typical “Father Knows Best” breadwinner. He provided well for his family and by the time of his premature demise at age 42, we were living in a custom-built home on the side of a mountain overlooking the New York City skyline. We were a three-car family (soon to become a four-car family), which was almost unheard of at that time. Our home had three bathrooms, four bedrooms, etc. And, we had accumulated quite a bit of “stuff.” Life was good and the future as far as I could see looked like platinum to me. The American Dream was there to be had. The sky was no longer the limit with the space program in full operation.
Move forward 45 years or so and where have we ended up. We’re in a new depression. Okay, so the government and the economists are calling it a recession and they’re telling us that the recession is over, but is it really? And, for those millions who are still dealing with loss of jobs, loss of homes, loss of credit, loss of self-esteem and so on, is it really a recession? It seems pretty depressing to millions of people in this country. We became the wealthiest nation in the world and for a long time, the world looked up to us for the advances we had made. Kids everywhere in the world wanted to wear blue jeans, have their own Walkman portable cassette player (and more recently iPod or mp3 player), drive their own car (one would have been great, let alone multiple cars like we have). You name it: microwave ovens, VHS/DVD players, multiple line telephones, cell phones, multiple TVs and wall-sized plasma and LCD screens, desktop, laptop and netbook computers – now being augmented or replaced by iPads and other tablet computing devices. The list is endless. Supermarkets are now the size of what was once an entire shopping center with tens of thousands of items to choose from.
But, here’s the kicker, friends. Even in this down economy and while much of the rest of the world is teetering on financial collapse (perhaps because they followed our lead), this past Friday (and through the weekend) and then on Monday our country went on a “feeding frenzy” of shopping. The amount of influence the advertising industry and marketing departments of the major retailers (few of which existed 45 years ago) have over the American public is beyond astonishing. Some people actually gave up being at home with their families and friends on Thanksgiving Day, the day traditionally set up for families, primarily, to gather and share a day together being thankful for all the blessings we are so fortunate to have in our lives. That’s right! I don’t know the precise numbers, but I’d say that it could easily reach the tens of thousands, if not even 100,000 people or more, camped outside the major retailer stores all over this country to wait for the Black Friday sales to begin – some as early as 9:00 to 10:00 PM Thanksgiving (Thursday) evening.
But, worse then that, many, if not all of these retailers had to hire extra security personnel not only for in the stores, but also in the parking areas. People pushed, shoved, elbowed, trampled and even went as far as using pepper spray in at least one location and in another, a hand gun in the parking area to rob a shopper of the purchases just made. Last year or the year before a Walmart employee was trampled to death under the feet of the mob mentality shoppers when the doors opened. And here’s the best part. Retail marketing analysts have said, again, the sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday are not necessarily the best deals or lowest prices of the year. It’s just a marketing ploy to kick off the holiday shopping season.
Now, let me state categorically, I am “apolitical.” My blog is not about and will never focus on the political scene, though I may occasionally make a comment or two about the lunacy that goes on in federal, state and local governments. But, where have the values, morals and ethics gone in our country? None of our government entities provide positive examples and role models. They are as corrupt as are parts of our banking and investment sectors. No, it’s not the responsibility of the government to legislate values, morals or ethics. Those are things we should have learned and embraced from our grandparents, parents, teachers, professors, religious affiliations and even our employers. Obviously, there has been a failure. This system seems to have broken down. The messages we are fed are mixed at best. First, we are told that we have spent too much (governmentally and personally) and that we must learn to conserve and save and live within our means. And that message is immediately followed with the admonition that we must patronize our retailers, buy new cars, buy homes, clothes, travel more, get more “stuff” because that will stimulate the economy. Wait a minute? How can we cut back, get out of debt, save more and at the same time consume more, spend more and invest in a rocky market in just about everything? Hmm, that’s how our various government entities operate. I guess that’s the role model.
Friends, I can certainly understand a “feeding frenzy” in a place where there is a massive lack of potable, safe water and food. These would be places where massive destruction has occurred due to various natural disasters – or even manmade disasters, like wars – civil, revolution and otherwise. Food and water are two of the very few absolutely necessary things we all need to sustain life. But, feeding frenzies over X Boxes, Playstations, Wii’s, iPod’s, iPads, overpriced designer jeans advertising some ego-maniac’s name on your ass, etc., etc., etc. Hey, don’t get me wrong. I’m a free-enterprising capitalist. I always have been and I always will be. You will not find me wasting my time sitting in some encampment in a city park or city square leaving my bodily wastes on the ground or urinating on police cars and creating tons of garbage for someone else to clean up to protest something that I don’t understand about how the system works. Actually, I do understand how it works. I also understand that it’s very complicated and that only a (relatively) small number of uber greedy, corrupt individuals who have long since lost their values, ethics, moral fiber and conscience are ultimately responsible for all that has happened. Some of these individuals, about 535 of them, are based inside the Washington, DC Beltway and WE are responsible for them being there – oops, political statement. The rest take advantage of the rest of the sheeple (that be us, folks) who allow them to do this to us.
I’m sorry if I insult anyone here with my thoughts. I also accept that I am as much of the problem as the next person (you, my friends, family, etc.) If you were one of the people going nuts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, shame on you. You have just played follow the leader one more time. Sheeple. Lemmings. I don’t care what term you choose to use, if you follow the “leaders” in any form in our government, industries, advertising agencies, etc. you are not going to cause any of the change that you speak out of one side of your face about. I neither like nor dislike the current leader in the White House. It’s a tough job and there are only a few people willing to step up to the plate. Personally, I don’t care which party nor which candidate, taking on this kind of responsibility for a meager $400,000 (or is it $450,000 now) a year and a chance to live rent free like royalty for four to eight years doesn’t seem near enough. Indeed, there is massive ego (probably bordering on being an ego maniac) and a hunger for power that drives these people. Your Mission Impossible, Mr. Phelps, is to see if you can actually stop buying the bullsh*t that is shoveled out by candidates at every level of government, peel back the layers of lies and marketing hype (political campaigns are simply some of the most expensive advertising campaigns in the world) and find the truth – if there, actually, is any. Good luck on your mission.
Yes, at a mere 66 years young, I have lived through, what now appears to me in so many ways to be, the rise and fall of the American Dream. Hey! Don’t get me wrong. I’m proud to be an American (most of the time) and certainly glad I was born in this country. I proudly served my country for nearly four years voluntarily (to avoid being drafted for two years, I volunteered for four years) during one of the most unpopular wars (f not the most unpopular war) in this country’s history. I have been a serial entrepreneur creating productive businesses since age 12. I have created jobs for many people through these businesses, so I have helped promote the capitalist, free enterprise system. I’ve bought and owned homes. I raised a family. I’ve contributed to my community. I’ve dealt with a significant health issue. I’ve owned about 24 vehicles during my nearly 50 years of driving. I’ve been covered by health insurance continually at my own expense. I have accumulated STUFF – way, way, way too much stuff. I’ve pretty much done just about everything the American Dream is all about.
Ultimately, I found that I had fallen into the same path, and in my opinion, trap that most Americans fall into. The more “stuff” one has, the happier one is - FALSE. Also, to relate to the greedy and corrupt people in our society, many of who have contributed to our current economic situation, “you can never be too rich.” Well, I’ve never been too rich – at least not in terms of financial wealth. I’ve experienced some of the finer things of life and enjoyed them. However, after some 45 years of adult life what I’ve realized is that personal freedom and the time to enjoy that freedom are the most valuable wealth anyone can have at any age. This is why I’ve chosen to “live free” by divesting myself of the vast majority of stuff I’ve accumulated. Everyday I find there is more and more I can live without and I feel lighter and freer – and most importantly, happier. If you are reading this blog, you are either already experiencing some degree of “living free” and seeking more ways to achieve your own personal freedom and happiness or you are trapped in the system, are unhappy with your current state of affairs and searching for some answers. This, Mr. Phelps is NOT an Impossible Mission. And if you accept the mission and are willing to make the changes you discover are necessary for your life, then your mission will be successful and you can live happily ever after.
Comments are solicited. How do you feel about the Feeding Frenzy and Living Free?
A happy, healthy and sane holiday season is my wish for you.
Enthusiastically,
Ed
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