There's an Update on Security for Biden's Gaza Port and a New 'Peacekeeping...
Biden Blows Off Respects for Murdered New York City Police Officer
New York City Councilwoman Gets Ratioed Into Oblivion Over One Question
CNBC: Voters Want Trump to Combat Runaway Inflation
‘No Tampons, No Peace!’: Panic at Vanderbilt University Sit-In As Protestors Realize It...
Comer Urges Joe Biden to Testify As Part of Impeachment Inquiry
A Massive Government Assisted Caravan Is Heading Through Mexico
Americans React to Biden Skipping Out on Slain NYPD Officer's Wake and Instead...
How Does RFK Jr. Affect This Presidential Race?
Judge In Hunter Biden's Tax Fraud Case Doesn't Buy Attorney's Claims
New Poll Shows How Hispanic Voters Feel About Biden Describing Laken Riley's Alleged...
Who Will Replace Mike Gallagher? Poll Shows It's Pro-Trump Alex Bruesewitz’s 'Race to...
Flashback: Two Cycles After Running on Gore's Ticket, Lieberman Endorses McCain at GOP...
Here's When Impeachment Articles Against Mayorkas Will Be Presented to the Senate
Tennessee Music Venue to Host ‘Trans Day Of Vengeance’ Event One Year After...
OPINION

Too Much Junk

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Have we gone too far?

Between 1998 and 2012, the number of self-storage facilities doubled to 15,000, and there seems to be no end in sight. In some cases, people lost their homes and had to store their stuff, but this growth is a direct reflection of our insatiable appetite to own stuff.

Advertisement

Some historians point to the Chicago World’s fair in 1893 as the launching pad for mass consumerism in America, and it took off after WWII.

1945-1949 Americans purchased:

  • 20 Million Refrigerators
  • 21 Million Cars
  • 5.5 Million Stoves

There was tremendous demand after the Great Depression and the war to end all wars where jobs were plentiful, wages grew, and there were massive family formations… all were considered practical purchases.

These days, we call it conspicuous consumption:

  • 809 Cars for every 1,000 people
  • 327 Million Cell phones for a population of 317 million people
  • 54% of all Households with at least three televisions

Every year around this time, there is a movement to cut back on consumerism. Some from religious groups and some from those who do not like capitalism, but the fact is we walk a delicate line… how do you handle this with your children?

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos