Well, when it comes to conspicuous consumption in our bling bling American Way way, I just say “no!” More is definitely not better, considering the state of our landfills and the garbage strewn streets of NYC. I even harbor the wish that our building would start composting in the courtyard. For a 14 unit building, we sure do produce our share of, er, crapola. But I digress.

Yet our President insists that we can maintain the “we can have it all,” nay, we deserve it all, lifestyle, as if gas guzzling SUV’s and mini-vans were our birthright. In the words of Austin Powers, “Yay, capitalism.” In such a case, I cringe. Until…

Imagine my moral dilemma when I raced into the Radio Shack today in midtown, on 44th and 6th. I was looking to buy some blank DVD’s, “the smallest pack you got,” I called out to the young man in the store. As he briskly put down his Sunkist, he informed me of their sale. 50 DVD’s for 13 dollars, or else it’s 10 for $10. I was in over my head and quickly dialed my husband.

He crunched the numbers and reviewed his math. “We have to buy the 50,” he quipped. Chagrined, I gently reminded him of our consumer culture, telling us to buy 50 of something we don’t need. Additionally, I was concerned about our limited storage space and also about how I don’t actually know how to burn a DVD. *sigh* “I guess we could give them away,” I suggested. I wasn’t about to mention the possibility of reselling them in front of the RS employee. (Yay, capitalism, indeed!) “Stocking stuffers,” Matt replied excitedly. And the deed was done.

It’s a slippery slope and I’d say we jumped into that sled with all four feet. Look out below!