Who's Got Enough, and Who Wants More?

Imagine this: you drive to a neighborhood service station expecting to pay sky-high prices, but instead an attendant walks up and says, "We're having an unadvertised special. All gas is free today, but only until we run out."

What's your plan of action? Some people might simply fill up and drive on to the next errand like any other day. Others would probably race home and come back with a load of empty gas cans and other storage containers. Would you call your friends and alert them to the bonanza?

This scenario is a good way to think about how much an average person needs to feel satisfied every day in 21st century America. Replace the gas station with a shoe store, home electronics outlet, or furniture showroom. It would be a great experiment for a college psychology class. Create a pile of goods, point it out to random bystanders and say, "Take what you want." How long would the pile last? An hour, or 30 seconds?

How often does this subject get discussed around the family dinner table, or in school? When I was in third grade the impact of the Great Depression and World War Two were still vivid in the national memory. When parents or teachers had conversations with children, they often doled out advice about not being wasteful, balancing the desire for toys and other fun stuff against practical needs, and never asking for a second helping until you've finished what's on your plate.

These days, however, anyone who promotes such notions in a classroom might be accused of advancing an anti-capitalist agenda that's secretly attempting to indoctrinate students with ideas meant to limit freedom of choice and stifle economic growth.

I understand the dynamics of competitive commerce. I know the importance manufacturers place on grabbing a big market share. And as a consumer I sincerely appreciate the material goods that surround me in every store I patronize.

What I want all consumers in all age groups to do every time they head off on a shopping trip is ask themselves this question: How much is enough? If you had an unlimited budget, is there a stopping point for the buying spree? Or does your satisfaction come from the acquisition process?

Everyone wants something, and we all have different comfort levels. I would never presume to lecture anyone on lifestyle priorities or estate building. But for a free society to endure, I think some degree of self-restraint in everyone's economic activities is a positive element. Or is that idea all wrong? Does self-restraint just make us into a bunch of low-expectation surrender monkeys?

While you've been reading this, it's possible gas prices in your area inched up again. Solving our energy needs and other resource problems will take a long term effort and lots of cooperation. Finding effective solutions is going to be really tough if too many of us are saying, "I want everything. All of it. And then some."

Comments

[Pdubya]

I'm selling my real estate for a profit, diminished as it is in this market, it will only get worse in the foreseable future. Also, I'm buying gold and silver, both on the market and coin/bullion. I'm putting a diesel engine in my truck and will run it on grease. Consolidating trips, less vacations, buying more locally.

...and voting.

blue dog dem for ron paul

[dadw5boys]

HUGE INVESTMENT FUNDS ARE DRIVING GAS PRICES SKY HIGH.

THE INVESTORS ARE LOSING MONEY WHEN THEY PAY FOR FUEL, HEATING, COOLING, FOOD AND OTHER THINGS AS PRICES RISE BECAUSE OF THE HIGH ENGERY PRICES.

THE ONLY TRUE WINNERS ARE THE OIL COMPANY'S WHO SHIP OIL TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

[kasa5400]

A curious question. My husband and I are definitely low-consumption by choice; but when we do buy something it is always epensive as I require it to be the utmost in quality so it will last.

I have no use for $10000 handbags and find the whole idea utterly ridiculous, pathetic and pretenious. On the other hand, the clothes closets are stuffed with Brooks Brothers (superior fabric, wears like iron, always looks good and can never be dated) and Cole Hann and Ferragmo ($300 and up) shoes (near indestructible, always look good and timeless.) Ralph Lauren on the other hand gets the Brooks Bro look but uses cheap fabrics that shrink and wear out - and is thus not acceptable.

Advertisements have no impact upon except to annoy me. Having a lot of 'stuff' about is annoying as it creates endless clutter and mess.

Things need to be practical, useful and last (and I define that is 'last for at least 10 years.')

When I see someone in a Hummer, I can only think that I would never trust that person to manage my money. Anyone stupid enough to spend over $600000 on something that will rust simply so they can get from point A to Point B has no sense. I'll stick to my little Esscort wagon - 30-35mpg, cheap to fix, hauls as much as an SUV and noclimbing in and out (plus police ingore them on the theory Escorts don't speed.)

One of the wealthiest women in the US from an 'old money' family is someone with whom I am acquainted. She flies commercial -not private. When her farm pickup starts to show its age if it is mechanically sound she has it reahabbed instead of buying a new one. And she shops at Kmart or similar places for household supplies.

[nomoredead]

This, I feel, is the one positive result that can come out of something as tragic as the California fires we just experienced. Few people ever have a chance in their lives to go through a massive loss of their personal property. Mine occured years ago with the loss of several small businesses, a liquidation and a move to Hawaii. It was at that point that it dawned on me and I'm sure the victims of the fires will think, why in the hell does a person need all that crap and how much less stressfull a life can be without all that clutter. " A man is wealthy when he says he has enough." an old proverb.

[maddogbitesback]

First you have to get the corporations to stop telling everybody how they will be McHappy with more.

[homesteader]

I guess I also recommend Joe Bageant's rant where he says that the problem is not that we want everything, but that we come close to being able to get it--that part starts about halfway through.
it's here:
http://www.joebageant.com/joe/2007/10/americans-like-.html