Considering the state of our economy and the fact that we are a free market system, I can see why there are those that would think that to spend money through shopping would be patriotic since it contributes to the economy. I do not agree with this point of view. Certain things are funded through taxes collected from purchases and services, and though people who own retail businesses are able to consume more as a result of a better income, I see it as far more patriotic to consider things before you shop.
Since a lot of government programs are funded though various taxes, it stands to reason that shopping will benefit the recipients of those programs. Does it make you patriotic to contribute to them? Not really, as you have no choice. People will always need things that will be taxed when purchased. This will not change.
I propose that it's patriotic to live within your means. Many people who "shop" as a hobby buy things they don't really need. In our society there is a trend towards everything being bigger and better. Cell phones are replaced every two years, fashions change radically every season, and many people feel that computers, ipods, etc. need to be upgraded every time a new model comes out. Once upon a time products were advertised as a way to enhance your life. Now it seems that every ad proclaims not that you need the products, but that you have it and need a new one. The problem is that many people use credit to acquire the American Dream. This leads to big problems when the economy is in the state it's in now. Many people carry huge debt loads, then when jobs are lost they have no savings or any way to pay it back. This leads to more people getting unemployment and other assistance. This comes from the federal and state government. The money you put into the economy by overspending has been put back out. If you live within your means and manage to save, then if you loose your job you are at least a little more secure. You have some time to find a job, and you need less money to maintain your standard of living because you aren't carrying any debt.
Here's and example. You have a terrific job. You go out and sign a lease on a great apartment. You buy a new car and make payments every month. You need clothes for work so you charge a bunch on your credit card, along with stuff you need for the apartment, like dishes, furniture etc. Suddenly you are carrying a debt of about $30,000. Then your company lays you off. Now what? Do you file for unemployment? Declare bankruptcy and cost the economy money in unrecoverable debt and unemployment benefits?
New example. You have a terrific job. You think about where you can live and decide roommates would be a good thing. You need a car to get to work, so you look around and find a good used one and pay with cash you have saved. You decide to put a certain amount aside every month just in case there's a problem with the car or something. You watch sales for clothes, hitting thrift stores and swapping with friends to be appropriately dressed for work. Because you have roommates you all share the burden of furnishing the apartment, and buy used stuff and accept hand-me-downs. Your company folds and you loose your job. However, you have some savings, owe nothing on your car, and can manage to make your rent for a few months while you find another job. You don't need unemployment or any other governmental assistance.
To me, that's patriotism. Not being a drain on the economy because you thought ahead. If shopping is patriotic, it follows that spending more and more money will help the economy, then that the economy will get better and better, and that spending beyond your means with continue to help the economy. The flaw in this theory is that everyone has a limited amount of money and if you can not pay for what you buy the economy will collapse.
Shopping is not patriotic unless you have the means to pay.
Here are some links that support frugality: http://frugalforlife.blogspot.com/
http://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/2010/05/amy-dacyczyn-of-the-tightwad-gazette/
and on that comments on the subject exactly: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/03/AR2008100301977.html
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