Commercialism

I want to address the idea of commercialism, this thing that many Americans think is a unique evil, something that we alone have, and that is destroying our souls and our lifestyles. Commercialism is defined by Google as "emphasis on the maximizing of profit." Businesses are started for one reason: money. Businesses, by very definition, are focused on making a profit. I am not suggesting that I am anti-business. Everyone needs money, and some people get it by starting a business. Some people even become rich off of it. This is the part of the "American Dream," this idea that we can pursue something that could make us very successful. There IS, however, a problem with businesses that make money by taking advantage of people. In an entirely free market, in a society that has a conscience, these businesses would not survive. People would not purchase from them. But we have become so obsessed with having as much as possible, that we will forgo our ideals in order to get the cheapest price, or the most convenient product. If this is what is most important to you, please keep buying as much cheap stuff as you can fit into your house. But you do not get to complain about the state of the world, because you have contributed to it. If you honestly believe that a company shouldn't open on Thanksgiving, don't race to patronize them when you realize you forgot the cranberry sauce, or you burned the turkey. Do without. If you despise the holiday shopping frenzy that is created by limited-quantity-super-cheap-unnecessary-crap, don't buy that crap from that company. We have so much more than we need, and we focus on everything we don't have! I honestly believe this is why our country has such a debt problem, and why are frequently so unhappy with our lives. It is hypocritical to tell those around us to "shop local" or to "buy American" on certain items, but to turn around and overload our basket with junk made in China and sold for a thousand percent profit by a company that can't even provide a pleasant shopping experience. I have been told "That's the way it is, and you can't change anything," but if enough people care about a specific issue to withhold their support, a business will either adapt to the consumers desires, or they will cease to make a profit. We can change our part of the world, and even if our actions do not affect the change we want, we can live with ourselves knowing that we have supported that which we believe to be worthy of us. Do you really need another snow themed serving bowl,  snarky keychain, or crappy DVD? I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy these things, but they aren't worth sacrificing your ideals.