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Posted on 4/25/14 at 10:54 am to GeauxxxTigers23
Think you just bottomlined it for all males.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 10:58 am to Revelator
Pride, stupidity and a feeling of invincibility. The American economy seems to be resilient because Americans don't know/don't care when they're poor. Ignorance is bliss I guess.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:03 am to Revelator
I have a theory that it stems from the Cold War.
From the period 1945-1990 we were in an economic war with the USSR. To that end we continued to keep our economy on a war footing, but instead of war materiel, we switched back to consumer goods. We were constantly encouraged to purchase goods and at the same time consumer credit was born. We set out to prove that capitalism was superior to communism and our evidence was our standard of living.
Then the wall fell.
So during the recession of 1990 it was made clear when Clinton begged Americans to purchase consumer goods to "grow the economy". So the purpose of having a hyperactive economy designed to win WWII changed to defeating communism and then it turn changed to simply growing the economy for its own sake.
We are CONSTANTLY encouraged to purchase disposable goods - even our durable goods have turned into disposable goods; cars, refrigerators, even houses themselves are now replaced far more often then they were initially designed for. We are offered easy credit for EVERYTHING, from purchasing a home, to going to college, even buying cheap Chinese disposable goods to leveraging the purchase of stocks and bonds. Even our entitlement programs seem designed to simply keep as many people participating in the economy as possible. We deride the welfare recipient who buys expensive rims for his car, yet by doing so he contributes to the economies of those who produce the rims, those who retail the rims, and the whole distribution network in between. Welfare recipients are simply doing what Americans are programmed to do: purchase consumer goods for the sake of growing the economy.
So now it's become an ingrained part of our culture to simply consume for the sake of consuming. Quality has much less meaning as we disregard the mountains of trash from last years Christmas presents to demolition debris from 20 year-old homes. We assume that we deserve resources used for our consumption economy even if those resources are in foreign lands.
What's the end game?
It's broadly recognized that gearing up our economy for WWII is what propelled us out of the Depression. We have maintained unsustainable economic activity ever since. It seems to me that should we scale back on economic activity to a more sustainable level, we would find ourselves staring right back down the barrel of our old nemesis, The Great Depression. I'm afraid the Depression was an expression of fundamental problems in our economic system that we've only masked by maintaining a war-time economy.
[/rant]
From the period 1945-1990 we were in an economic war with the USSR. To that end we continued to keep our economy on a war footing, but instead of war materiel, we switched back to consumer goods. We were constantly encouraged to purchase goods and at the same time consumer credit was born. We set out to prove that capitalism was superior to communism and our evidence was our standard of living.
Then the wall fell.
So during the recession of 1990 it was made clear when Clinton begged Americans to purchase consumer goods to "grow the economy". So the purpose of having a hyperactive economy designed to win WWII changed to defeating communism and then it turn changed to simply growing the economy for its own sake.
We are CONSTANTLY encouraged to purchase disposable goods - even our durable goods have turned into disposable goods; cars, refrigerators, even houses themselves are now replaced far more often then they were initially designed for. We are offered easy credit for EVERYTHING, from purchasing a home, to going to college, even buying cheap Chinese disposable goods to leveraging the purchase of stocks and bonds. Even our entitlement programs seem designed to simply keep as many people participating in the economy as possible. We deride the welfare recipient who buys expensive rims for his car, yet by doing so he contributes to the economies of those who produce the rims, those who retail the rims, and the whole distribution network in between. Welfare recipients are simply doing what Americans are programmed to do: purchase consumer goods for the sake of growing the economy.
So now it's become an ingrained part of our culture to simply consume for the sake of consuming. Quality has much less meaning as we disregard the mountains of trash from last years Christmas presents to demolition debris from 20 year-old homes. We assume that we deserve resources used for our consumption economy even if those resources are in foreign lands.
What's the end game?
It's broadly recognized that gearing up our economy for WWII is what propelled us out of the Depression. We have maintained unsustainable economic activity ever since. It seems to me that should we scale back on economic activity to a more sustainable level, we would find ourselves staring right back down the barrel of our old nemesis, The Great Depression. I'm afraid the Depression was an expression of fundamental problems in our economic system that we've only masked by maintaining a war-time economy.
[/rant]
Posted on 4/25/14 at 11:03 am to beaverfever
quote:
Pride, stupidity and a feeling of invincibility. The American economy seems to be resilient because Americans don't know/don't care when they're poor. Ignorance is bliss I guess.
Well it would be irrelevant if the American economy was on fire and I was without food or electricity because I didn't take care of my own business.
It's like the old saying; " a recession is when your neighbors out of work, it's a depression when you are!"
This post was edited on 4/25/14 at 11:14 am
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:03 pm to Revelator
revelator perfectly stated. it's never a minor operation when its on you or a loved one.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:06 pm to Revelator
quote:It's called, "The American Dream."
What motivates people to live above their means?
Long ago, the elite devised this brilliant marketing campaign to take advantage of our greed, vanity, and naivety to set us on a hampster wheel of debt and addiction to monopoly money we call the dollar.
This post was edited on 4/25/14 at 12:09 pm
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:06 pm to TX Tiger
Isn't that marketing? convincing they need something they can't afford?
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:07 pm to JEAUXBLEAUX
Absolutley.
This post was edited on 4/25/14 at 12:09 pm
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:08 pm to Revelator
Falls in the "thou shalt not covet neighbor hood(misspelling/grammar intentional)
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:14 pm to CITWTT
citt witt is right. The grass is always greener syndrome
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:19 pm to JEAUXBLEAUX
quote:
Isn't that marketing? convincing they need something they can't afford?
People pay their car note and credit card before they pay their mortgage.
One reason some poor folks stay poor is because when they get money (earned income credit, etc) they spend it on luxuries before they'll pay the necessities. I'm dealing with one of my wife's relatives now who has a terrible habit of doing just that.
He's got a nice TV, cell service, laptops but can't stay in an apartment and is always begging for help.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:21 pm to WildTchoupitoulas
Nice rant WT.
The decline In quality also masks inflation. While a socket set today costs about the same as it did 20 years ago, or cheaper... So we think "what Inflation, things cost the same". But, it's not the same socket set. Its almost impossible to find decent quality tools at the retail level.
But our economic and monetary policies have not been about solid decision making for some time. It's all about pain avoidance.
quote:Indeed! The American consumer has almost no concept of quality. They only care about cheap. You can see it in consumer electronics, especially. The gear sold in Asia is much higher quality.
So now it's become an ingrained part of our culture to simply consume for the sake of consuming. Quality has much less meaning as we disregard the mountains of trash from last years Christmas presents to demolition debris from 20 year-old homes.
The decline In quality also masks inflation. While a socket set today costs about the same as it did 20 years ago, or cheaper... So we think "what Inflation, things cost the same". But, it's not the same socket set. Its almost impossible to find decent quality tools at the retail level.
quote:Indeed. This country could use a healthy dose of deflation to cure a lot of its cultural ills. A painful process no doubt. But necessary in my view.
It seems to me that should we scale back on economic activity to a more sustainable level, we would find ourselves staring right back down the barrel of our old nemesis, The Great Depression
But our economic and monetary policies have not been about solid decision making for some time. It's all about pain avoidance.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:22 pm to Taxing Authority
quote:
Nice rant WT.
Amazingly, I sort of agree.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:23 pm to Revelator
quote:
They also feel like smart phones...
Welcome to 2014!
In 2014 smart phones are the only free phone-for-contract offers that some cell phone companies have. Does it make better sense to take the free phone from the phone company or to buy a dumb phone phone of lower utility and quality with no warranty from ebay?
This post was edited on 4/25/14 at 12:24 pm
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:25 pm to SpidermanTUba
quote:
In 2014 smart phones are the only free phone-for-contract offers that some cell phone companies have. Does it make better sense to take the free phone from the phone company or to buy a dumb phone phone of lower utility and quality with no warranty from ebay?
If you're paying hundreds of dollars a month on data service, no.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:46 pm to Taxing Authority
quote:
The decline In quality also masks inflation. While a socket set today costs about the same as it did 20 years ago, or cheaper... So we think "what Inflation, things cost the same". But, it's not the same socket set. Its almost impossible to find decent quality tools at the retail level.
Indeed. When Walmart dropped their "Made in America" shtick back in the 90's, their effort to remain the "Low Price Leader" led them into a race to the bottom in terms of quality. Yes, they maintained their low prices, but at the expense of quality.
quote:
Indeed. This country could use a healthy dose of deflation to cure a lot of its cultural ills. A painful process no doubt. But necessary in my view.
But our economic and monetary policies have not been about solid decision making for some time. It's all about pain avoidance.
Now I'm no economist by any stretch of the imagination, but it has occurred to me that the fundamental problem with our economic system could be the Federal Reserve.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:49 pm to Tiger n Miami AU83
quote:
t is very simple. You can enjoy more now or enjoy more later. Isn't complicated at all.
I don't think this is the mindset that the OP is referring to. At least it's not how I look at it.
Some people just cannot manage money. It's ingrained into there personality that they spend what they have until it's gone.
My gf for example was this type of person. At 30 years old she lived paycheck to paycheck without so much as $1 in savings. I assure you she lived no life of luxury, and she surely wasn't enjoying life stressing about paying rent every month and not having enough money for groceries. Even when she made more money through bonuses or whatnot, it'd all be gone by next paycheck.
Thankfully I beat it in her head to be more prudent with money, and she does a lot better now, but still has plenty to work on. Her livelihood hasn't suffered a bit since she started spending less money, except that she is less stressed out now. It had nothing to do with enjoying life more now, it had everything to do with being responsible.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 12:51 pm to rintintin
quote:
Some people just cannot manage money. It's ingrained into there personality that they spend what they have until it's gone.
Delayed gratification regarding spending can be a good thing. Money management has a lot to do with prioritizing and delaying some wants until the needs are satisfied.
Posted on 4/25/14 at 1:20 pm to RogerTheShrubber
It seems to me that many place a high value on material things, much more so now than in previous generations. Many are consumed by their material goods and the chase to purchase the next "new, hip, or trendy" version of said item. In the process we have devalued relationships. As we continue to focus on material goods look at what has happened to our society as a whole, divorce rates rising, more misguided children.
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