Excessive Behavior - Americans grasping for symbols of superiority

[dArKeR]

Americans are constantly grasping for symbols of superiority, but keeping up with the Joneses—or the Rockefellers—next door is getting progressively harder as yesterday’s accepted markers of distinction become today’s mass merchandise.

Ours is an era of excess. It’s everywhere — in my case, just around the corner. Someone is building a three-floor “mansion.” An architect friend estimates the floor area at about 6,600 square feet, roughly triple the size of a median new home (2,100 square feet in 2002). The roofline seems about 8 to 10 feet above the surrounding homes, which look like shacks next to their new neighbor. The question about this home is not why people spend so much to build something so oversized but what they are going to do with all the space. A similar question applies to Dick Grasso, the former head of the New York Stock Exchange, and his $140 million pay package. What is he going to do with all the money?

http://msnbc.com/news/989858.asp?0cl=c1

We're just following Bush's example!

[GOPFighter]

1. We are a nation of insecure people

As a nation we seem to have no value system so we resort to judging who we admire by the car they drive, the size of their house, and the university they attended, and their looks. We're a shallow society.

[el_gato]

3. but so much of that insecurity comes from the brainwashing on t.v.

commercials constantly tell people your a loser without this new blah blah

[Skittles]

8. I watch the same TV those materialistic pigs do

You don't see me buying all that crap

[izzie]

2. I think it is like a sickness with some people.

Also some think something new will make them happy. It must be really important as you never go into an empty store, not that I shop a lot but I do go to Staples or Wal-mart about every 3 months. I always have to wait in line to get out, and usually the baskets are full. I do not even pick up a basket. I am not a shopper.Now in a book store..............oh well.

[camero]

4. Dang, Borders. Gotta go to Borders.

Gotta read some new books. Thanks for reminding me.

[Melsky]

5. People who get houses that big

usually end up not using most of the rooms anyway. What a waste.

[meow2u3]

6. Not to mention the enormity of their electric bills.......

...further enriching Bush's buddies in the oil, gas, and coal industries....

:shrug:

[Champion Jack]

7. Why not build an energy efficient house?

Than, you can gloat about all the money you save.
Sustainability = the new status symbol

[LibertyorDeath]

9. Love the sig Champion_Jack

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. A lot of people

have been brought up without any values other than money. They never catch onto the fact that while money can buy physical security, it can't buy emotional security. There's something missing in their lives, so they think the answer is more money. But that doesn't work, so they decide that they need more money.