I hate to say this, but I don’t think its such a bad thing if people get a wake up call in this whole mess. I’m often shocked by the overconsumption that I see. By rich and poor. I don’t think its a tragedy if a poor family can’t buy a Wii or an Ipod, or eat out ever. I don’t think its a tragedy if a rich family opts to buy a Toyota versus a Beamer for their kids 16th birthday. Our standard of living has improved here in the US and in many parts of the developing world. I certainly don’t want to see people starving or homeless, but I think what people define as “necessary” has become far too skewed in the last 10 years.
The way we idolize symbols of material wealth is not something I want to teach my children. I think its probably better if they don’t get the latest “fad” in technology, clothing, you name it. Or god forbid if we can’t afford to buy them what they want versus what they need and the have to go out there and get a part time job.
