American Consumerism out of Hand

I cannot say more eloquently than Sinclaire Lewis, author of Babbit, how I feel about today’s average American citizen. They are, in Lewis’ words, “materialistic, amoral, superficial conformists.” (A People and A Nation. Vol. 2) Under the leadership of President Coolidge, many United States businesses have prospered. President Coolidge and his administration have successfully reduced federal debt and lowered income-tax rates. Working Americans’ wages have been raised and the standard cost of living remains relatively the same. As a result, the average American citizen makes more money today than at any other time in history. Many Americans were suddenly asking themselves, “What do we do with all of this money?” The wise answer to this question is far from the one that Americans seem to have found appropriate . Americans answered: “spend it!” It is not so much the spending that bothers me but that the spending is thoughtless and on unnecessary material things and entertainment.
Americans, not accustomed to having such money in their pockets, excitedly and ignorantly spend their ‘spare change’ on things like toasters and machine-made clothing. Many luxuries such as fine clothing are now considered by Americans to be necessities. Companies and society put pressure on women to keep up with the latest fashion trends no matter what the cost. Money spent on dresses, jewelry and other accessories that are worn only once as they prove to be mere passing fads, is money that could be saved for future necessary expenses like food! Americans have become a selfish people; there is no concern for future generations. Mothers spend more on their clothes in an effort to keep up with superficial trends than they do on their children’s education. Recent statistics show that more money is being spent on advertisements for clothing, cars and other goods and services than on all types of formal education for not only children, but adults as well.
The invention of the automobile and its rapidly declining price as a result of high demand and mass production, makes the automobile desirable and attainable by most Americans. Men and women seem to consider the automobile, much like chic clothing to be more of a necessity than a luxury. It is a luxury, I assure you, and a dangerous luxury at that, one that is certain to cause great problems in America’s future. Even now, one is able to see that with the large number of automobiles being manufactured and purchased every day that the demand for oil will continue to grow. With America’s growing dependence on cars for transportation, America’s oil resources will be quickly depleted and America will be forced to depend on other nations for oil. Currently, the US is producing roughly 65% of the world’s oil. We must ask ourselves how long we will be able to keep that up. As convenient as it would be there is not an endless supply of oil, folks. Cars also necessitate enormous government expenditure on highways and paved roads. So, while the initial cost of the car may seem low, the things that the automobile requires after purchase are extremely expensive.
Americans become more and more each day, a dependant people. American depend too greatly on machines, allowing them to do much of the work humans had to do previously and growing lazy as a result. Women, the majority of which are now using washing machines and other machines to do household work will soon forget how to perform the simplest of domestic tasks. Now that food comes in cans and plastic packaging very few women cook. They are all tucking away grandma’s wonderful recipes and at meal time, choose instead to pop open a can of preserved ham. It is truly disgusting. This generation is killing tradition!
America’s rising demand for goods and services puts pressure on companies to produce more. Rise in consumption is requiring companies to mass produce using machines and unskilled laborers. American pride and care in the manufacture of goods is a thing of the past. Machines and assembly lines that are now used in many manufacturing factories across the country destroy all sense of creativity and individuality.
We are poisoning our minds and bodies with excess. Americans abandon educational books, lectures, etc. for radio shows and other forms of entertainment that do nothing more than supply the American people with meaningless gossip. Baseball games, dance clubs and radio gossip-shows are doing nothing to better American society. In moderation they are fine, but we have long past moderation. Americans no longer seek self-edification, instead they spent their would-be productive time drinking, smoking, dancing, shopping.
It is true that the American economy is booming but how foolish are those Americans who equate prosperity with progress. How long will prosperity last? I implore you, for a moment to look past present time, to not be so blind as to disregard the future of this country. The American people will undoubtedly soon be faced with the cruel consequences of their selfishness or generations to come will be forced to suffer the consequences of our actions. How is it that so many men, women and children are blind to the consequences of their sick desire for and obtainment of material things?! Americans, I fear, have become a selfish, conformist, dependant people.

Comments

[mattkaris]

So what if they are spending their money? it is helping the economy, and it is their money which they can spend aas they please. They aren't worried about the future, have a good time while your alive and let future generations fend for themselves. You have some good points, but the invention of automobiles and factory made clothes has made shopping easier and has helped people get around faster to places they need to go. If we kept traditions going forever, we would still be sitting here with Native Americans on Thanksgiving at a small pick-nick table with dead deer on the table. Women are now free, with the inventions of waching machines they have more time to do other things such as work to make money for college tuition, or cook meals for their family instead of spending hours on laundry. Who said that they are ALL leaving education and are ALL going out to party?, people are still learning and going to school, but they don't need to do that every day, weekends are the time for partying, and who cares if you drink a little or go to a ball game on the weekends? You have good points, but partying and relaxing is a good way to releive stress after a hard weeks worth of working.