American Consumerism

So... This weekend I was helping with a consignment sale (in which I also consigned some items).  I never knew how much "stuff" Americans are being sold.  American Consumerism is disgusting.  (And I am soooo guilty.)  There were so many items that were barely used that they looked brand new.  Yet most of us are gonna go out and buy all brand new stuff for our kids before shopping a sale like this.  Why? Not too long ago people lived without all of this stuff.  You know, one pair of shoes, maybe two if you are lucky, a nice shirt and pants, and a work set.  That was it.  Now we have pajamas, hats, belts, shoes, socks, dress clothes, play clothes.  You know the drill.  Why?  So that we can give more of our money away?  Do we really need all this stuff?

There were bouncy seats, baby swings, dollhouses, tricycles, activity mats, activity seats, exersaucers, toys, toys, toys, clothes, clothes, and even more clothes.  Can you live without any of this stuff?  My parents did.  I did.  I even LIVED through it.  CRAAAAZZZZY!  Who knew?

What I think is even worse is that a majority of parents both work to buy all this stuff.  So their child spends all their time in daycare to then come home and spend time strapped in something in the house so that the parents can get the 'house'work done.  So has this made our life any better?  Who suffers under this model?

I am not at all saying that we should go without some of the helpful things that our increased technology has brought us.  For example:  WASHING MACHINES, DRYERS, DISHWASHERS, STOVES/OVEN that don't heat the entire house, A/C.  But people did live without all these conveniences not too long ago.  And they SURVIVED.  So...

The next time I think, "It's cheap.  I'll just go buy another one."  I should really contemplate the cost involved.  And I didn't even talk about the environmental cost.