Comments on: The Ownership Society?

By: Sean Aqui

Sean Aqui — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 05:31:06 +0000

More fake Congresswoman spam. Please leave us alone; I’m not going to watch your stupid play.

By: BenG

BenG — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 22:09:38 +0000

James;
Just saw your link – that was great. It may only happen one out of every four skits, but when SNL hits the mark it’s REAL funny, like this one.
Fast forward to present and you could do a ‘Stuff-You-Shouldn’t-of-
Bought.com reselling all the stupid stuff you’ve gathered through the years. You could sell it for pennies on the dollar to people who can’t afford the stuff brand new – oh yea, we already have that – Ebay !
Thanks for the link, I’ve already forwarded it.

By: James

James — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:48:20 +0000

SNL even did a skit about this…

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xt0c6_snldontbuystuff

By: probligo

probligo — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:02:10 +0000

Consider too, the effect that reducing spending by, say, even 5% might have on the economy.

Add to that the fact that a whole political movement is based upon the premise of having the economy steaming ahead rather than contracting and it is not hard to see why personal overspending is not a popular topic.

Never mind, lads, it is nothing more than Capitalism 101…

By: Confused

Confused — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:17:21 +0000

I think that BenG and Sean have good points: the financial corporations are making a tremendous amount of money off the interest rates on credit cards; and, that the savings rate doesn’t include IRAs, 401Ks, Roths, etc. However, I should point out that many Americans don’t put money into any kind of retirement fund, either because they don’t have the money available or they wish to spend their money elsewhere. I believe that consumerism has been drummed into our heads since childhood and this indoctrination has become a part of our culture. Additionally, our leadership has encouraged our spending habits as a way of keeping this economy afloat. I don’t think this will change without some major financial catastrophe such as the great depression.

By: Sean Aqui

Sean Aqui — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 04:53:31 +0000

Since the savings rate doesn't count things like home equity, retirement accounts and stock appreciation, I'd be wary about placing too much faith in that number. As this link points out, it's essentially a measure of cash flow rather than net worth. Our saving rate does indeed stink, but we're not nearly as bad as this stat makes it seem.

By: BenG

BenG — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 02:53:55 +0000

Mr. Gardner; Now you’ve struck a chord with me. I can’t understand why more people don’t get alarmed by this sort of data. When you spend up to one quarter of every dollar on interest paymnts somebody at the other end of that deal is getting very wealthy.
Allowing consumers to spend more than they have is easy money and a win/win situation for many, because if they default the expense is tolerated and passed on. But how do we, as a society, get control of this problem – if it is even a problem?
For the Rebublicans, God forbid anyone who gets in the way of someone tryin to make an honest buck. It’s the American way. If you try to regulate it, as the Dems have and continue trying, then you’re branded a socialist, liberal commie for limiting good business practice. Doesn’t it seem contradictory that a conservative minded person has no problem with people spending too liberally and over-extending their debt? Something doesn’t make sense – maybe because it makes someone lots of cents $ $ $