Suburbia
Perhaps instead of scrutiny we should regard suburbanites with a bit more compassion. With modern day suburbia, it’s safe, a reassuring glance at a life dreamt of, sought after, but quickly slipping out of reach. For example, if one were to drive through the city of Blaine, where I currently reside, you would immediately be struck by all the quaint little neighborhoods, with primly trimmed lawns and freshly painted siding.
Unfortunately it’s all a façade. According to the Star Tribune the average American is worthless. Literally. Their net worth was computed to an average of -$5,000. So perhaps it could be said that in this race to keep up with the Jonses, they compromise any actual potential for amassing wealth in order to appear to have wealth.
Could this polarize their sentiments, their morals? If it is all about the appearance then would they also find solace in adopting more conservative positions in society? Perhaps just another way to keep up the appearance of the affluent?
Comments
"So perhaps it could be said that in this race to keep up with the Jonses, they compromise any actual potential for amassing wealth in order to appear to have wealth."
This is a really interesting point, and the lack of saving by Americans is not just about individual choices, too: it has both public policy causes and conseqeunces. Recall Chapter 1 in Schaeffer where he compares the widespread acceptance of private credit and debt in the U.S. vs. Europe and Japan, where savings was encouraged deliberately through public policy.
Posted by: Jon | October 16, 2006 2:01 PM