The Next Culture War

David Brooks, a columnist for The New York Times wrote an editorial titled The Next Culture War about how our economic values as a nation have deteriorated. We have gone from a producer to a consumer economy, and he gives an argument why this is bad news. He also gives a wonderful solution to how we should fix this massive growing tumor on America. Basically we should all stop spending. Gee, why haven't I thought of that?
Centuries ago, historians theorized that great nations always start out well. Citizens are excited about a fresh start and determined to make it work in the beginning, which leads to wealth and power. Wealth and power then leads to corruption and the basic crumbling of society shortly follows. Based on these theories, the United States was destined to fail. To the shock of the world however, we survived, in fact we flourished. Still, the early leaders of the free world like John Adams feared for what was to come. Apparently the American people had sound economic values at one point in time, but the economy which was once Calvinist like in its restraint and refrained from financial self indulgence, now has to up size their combo at Chick-Fila. Personal debt has risen to about 133 percent of the national income. Brook’s solution to the problem is to change the basic economic values American’s hold dear. He feels the U.S. must once again become the producer economy it once was, instead of the consumer economy it has become. The nation has to practice self-restraint in order for this to work. Everyone from AARP to Joe the plumber must cooperate. Regardless of the overall cost, these changes need to be met.
David Brooks has been a columnist for the New York Times since 2003 and is the senior editor at The Weekly Standard. I believe his credibility as an established columnist is in tact. I regretfully think his plea will fall on death ears. I do not believe that American’s are ready to change their monetary habits and Mr. Brook’s scary title alone will not be enough to force that change. Although I do agree that some serious changes need to happen if we are to dig ourselves out of this massive hole, and every American needs to reevaluate their spending habits, I do not think it is realistic to demand that everyone hand over their Lamborghinis and leer jets for the greater good. Nor do I think people will stop spending. This consumer economy is here to stay my friends. Free will is every Americans best friend; “I will do what I want, when I want, deal with it." His intended audience, the basic American consumer knows that they shouldn’t be spending more than they’re making, but they do it anyways because that is what our culture tells us to do, buy buy buy! So buy buy buy people until you’re broke! broke! broke!