Obscene Consumption

[48bencix]

By comparison

As Emilio (thor) pointed out, by comparison with the rest of the world, everyone here is a huge consumer. Sure, there is "plenty of oil" "plenty of natural gas" "plenty of land" to pave over, but do we really have to use it up as fast as we do? And I don't know if anyone noticed, a lot of that fossile fuel is located in places that are quite hostile to this country.

And I really do think that people should do what they want, after all this is the USA. But many of us, regardless of what we have in the bank, are trying to make less of an impact on the earth. I don't mean having a front loading washer instead of a top loader either, that isn't even a drop in the bucket.

But, we are looking into building more efficient buildings, more efficient cars. Solar panels to power some of our usages. Wind power. More compact living, i.e. walkable cities. These things will make a difference. And, sure, support the arts, including the chandlier makers if you so choose, but is there a possibility of led lights in those things?

Martin

 

[peterh770]

Yay!!! Cake!!!

 

[whirlcool]

I have no issues with rich or poor. But I always have in the back of my mind that one severe house-fire or car accident can wipe a person out and change life forever.

And ain't that the truth. I have seen this happen to a couple of people I know. One minute, perfectly fine, the next disabled. You never know when this could happen to you! Remember, even with the safest people accidents can happen.

 

[mayken4now]

Bye Bye po folk.

 

[mayken4now]

Glen was just asking a question, now, he stated he was WRONG in thought.

Psst, I am too.

Just teasing.

Love,

Steve

 

[sudsmaster]

A word to the wise

You won't be able to take ANY of it with you... even the cake.

 

[tolivac]

Well I thought of the "software Mogul" that bought and is selling his 75Mil home with the $800,000 lamp fixture,the rising panels,heated counters and so on-He did EARN the money he was paid didn't he?should he be able to spend it how he wants-whats is excess consumption may be normal for someone else.If you earned that sort of money to buy such a home-would YOU buy it-you probably would.and think of the others that money supported as the home was purchased-everyone from the folks that built it to the realtors that handled the sale.Sit down and think about it?what would YOU buy or do with such large amounts of money if you earned it or won that BIG lottery?The way things are in the USA its YOUR choice to buy that big expensive home and car or donate the money to charity-Lets keep it YOUR choice--not the government or someone else.It is sort of fun to think of what you would get if you had that sort of money on hand to use as you saw fit.

 

[liamwa]

Yes indeed...

There's no pockets in a shroud, as my Nana used to say.

 

[toggleswitch]

You mean I have to PAY for that?

Y'all have SUCH good points.
Screw collecting, saving, hoarding and gathering.

I needs me a HUGE nip-and-tuck fund to visit Doctor Matagringos. Lift it, fold it, tuck it, move it and remove it. Die young, stay pretty.

OK true story. I go go get a haircut two days ago and the barber asks if he front of my head is hair-plugs. Uh, no dear. I've offically begun entry into my trolldom and it's just thinning. UGH! The noive! God bless middle age. We can always do a comb-over from our backs or our ears to cover the bald spot.

Money can't return my youth to me, but I could probably rent a nice piece of it, if I were single and in a pinch. (ducks and runs)

 

[gyrafoam]

LMAO---------

Glenn, I know you never meant to unleash all this crazy stuff!

Peter-------that poster---------- you just ain't right at all!

liamwa------I love that---------an old (impoverished) Jewish philosopher, Rashi (or Rambam?) had a wonderful old saying: If I were a candle (inexpensive) merchant there would be constant sunshine, if I sold (expensive) burial shrouds no one would die.

Whirlcool----you've got that right----in the blink of an eye (so to speak) one's world can change forever.

 

[toggleswitch]

#5, #24, #29. #13 already addressed. *LOL*

Maxine! of shoe-box greetings (a tiny litle division of Hallmark cards.) You have to love her--

*HI LOUIS, WAVES*


TWENTY-NINE LINES TO MAKE YOU SMILE

1.. My husband and I divorced over religious differences.
He thought he was God and I didn't.
2.. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
3.. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
4.. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
5.. Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
6.. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me
7.. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder
8.. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
9. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.
10.. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
11 NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the-room-spinning medicine.
12.. God must love stupid people; He made so many.
13.. The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
14.. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
15.. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
16.. Being "over the hill" is much better than being under it!
17.. Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
18.. Procrastinate Now!
19.. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?

20.. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
21.. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance
22.. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
23.. They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
24.. He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
25.. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
26. Ham and eggs? A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
27.. The trouble with life is there's no background music.
28.. The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.
29.. I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!
Life is too short and friends are too few ...

 

[rocketwarrior]

Consumption

I have a "working stiff" client who was a tile guy and is now exclusively granite and employs some Americans that others might not hire. He is very good, respected by designers, and contractors. While I appreciate the 'over a beer' discussion of consumption, such homes do provide a lot of good work for a lot of laborers (and, in this case, artists). Maybe that is what Pres. Reagan referred to as trickle down.
Then, here in Omaha, we have Warren Buffet (who, I suspect, has no granite in his home). Ya gotta wonder, where do we 'working stiffs' get more bang for the buck - money in Warren's control or our government's control. Warren gets my vote.

 

[dalangdon]

Speaking of Warren Buffet....

I think you'd be suprised by some of his opinions, Mark.

Warren Buffett Urges Higher Corporate Taxes

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0306-01.htm

Warren Buffett: Major Philanthropist and Opponent of Estate Tax Repeal

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/06/26/buffett-estate-tax/

Buffett slams dividend tax cut
One of world's richest calls plan 'voodoo economics,' says it puts burden on low-income families.

Warren Buffett slams dividend tax cut plan - May. 20, 2003