We've become so jaded, especially when it comes to Christmas--wasting money...
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31634)
United States
November 27, 2011 8:17am CST
I was sitting outside last night looking at the fireworks the city put on to celebrate the beginning of the "holiday" season and thinking how twisted and distorted Christmas has become. I love fireworks and these were beautiful but we have hundreds of families in my small city that are hungry, can't pay the rent, are out of work. Our schools need some work, there are potholes that can swallow a large cat all along the streets and the city skimps on salt in the winter so that driving the residential roads is almost risking your car and your life. And they spend tens of thousands of dollars on fireworks?!
We've become so jaded that we demand more and more, like heroin addicts--a little is no longer enough to get pleasure. When I was little there were no fireworks to open the Christmas season. There was a parade a couple of weeks before Christmas and we got to sit on Santa's lap and ask him for our heart's desire. Thanksgiving was a real holiday and valued as family time. Fourth of July we had fireworks but one would go up, we would ooo and ahhh then another would go--we had time to appreciate each one, nothing fancy and maybe 4 or 5 would go up at once for the finale. Maybe 20 in total and it took 10 minutes and we thought it was spectacular! Now there are several at once and you can't appreciate the color and form because there are so many blending into each other--for me, it is overload and no long pretty.
My point is that as a society we are like addicts that can no longer appreciate anything unless it is extravagant and larger than life. We spend thousands on fireworks displays while children go hungry and families shiver because their heat has been turned off. We could use that money to help a small business that would hire the father or mother of that family or make job training programs. We could repair our streets thus employing more people, buy more salt and prevent injuries and deaths.
Our greed for extravagant entertainment is much like Rome in its last days. I wrote a polite, constructively critical letter to the city council but I doubt they will listen. How do you feel about the excesses of society, especially at Christmas? Or do you think there is nothing wrong?
11 people like this
18 responses
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
27 Nov 11
For my part... I have always been cynical about the amount of money being spent on fireworks. And I don't approve of it.
But for some people... it is expected.
Cancelling the firework would further damper the mood in an already gloomy situation. It would make some people believe that it is really the end of life as we knew it.
In some places like Sydney Australia, no amount of money is spared on New Year's Eve in an attempt to have the biggest and best Firework in the world. And it is telecast on the news around the world.
However... us mere mortals have a very simple way to look at things. The reality is that fixing roads is a very expensive exercise. You cannot just fill up the hole. If you have heavy traffic on that road, the hole would be back within 24 hours. You need to bring heavy machinery to re-seal that section of road. You probably looking at between $5000 and $10.000 per pothole. That is why they don't fill them. It is better to save some money to re-seal the whole road.
3 people like this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
1 Dec 11
This year, the Sydney Fireworks on New Year's Eve will cost 6.3 million dollars.
They claim it is worth it because 1 billion people around the planet see it on tele.
Every year they try something bigger than the previous year.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
27 Nov 11
you are so right. christmas used to be mostly for small children to show them the celebration was done to symbolize how Jesus/Christ got presents when he was born. i knew that from a very small child. now i dont think most kids even know why they get so much. i feel ashamed at how much i bought for my grown kids when i had plenty of money. i could have given more to poor children not getting anything. Im getting so unhappy with my country and it makes me cry.
i used to be so patriotic. now i just wish i lived somewhere else. our people in power are so stupid these days. none of them even seem to have common sense. 
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
28 Nov 11
Bunny, I'll bet 70% of American people are like you and me--there's no reason to be ashamed of America, just our government that promotes and encourages conspicuous consumption and thus promotes the actions that lead to poverty and dependence on the government. Don't lose hope and don't despair, our country is still a wonderful place once you look past the public officials.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
28 Nov 11
To my knowledge, we have not added any Christmas extravaganzas locally. I would be upset, just as you are, over the waste you describe. I know that some years we have community theater, but we pay for admissions. I think we water down the "specialness" of having fireworks, by having them too often. I do marvel at some of the light displays I see, though, and wonder what some of them have to do with Christmas. I have always been around people who had mountains of presents, more than anyone can even appreciate. I have never been able to afford that. I do not think it is needed, either. I believe we need to share with those around us. I am proud of my community for having a free meal on Thanksgiving and Christmas, for anyone who wants to come, and it is served by anyone who wants to serve. My only problem is that people who are hungry are hungry more often than that.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
28 Nov 11
There is actually a similar discussion going on about the mental institutions closing down and how people are going to cope. If you have a severe enough mental illness or disability you may receive a case manager, that still does not guarantee that you will comply on your medication. I think we need ten times as many people in the helping professions than we have. Many of them work at a sacrifice, for very low pay, but do it out of the generosity of their hearts.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
28 Nov 11
Thanksgiving and Christmas both have gotten lost in a shuffle of spending and shopping, and it is too bad. If we really celebrated these holidays and their meanings we would find ourselves in a more peaceful world with more of the needy cared for in the appropriate way.
2 people like this
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
28 Nov 11
I agree with you that there is something fundamentally wrong with our society. And it's not just in the US, you can see similar examples all over the developed world. The word developed is a strange one in this context, when we have things so wrong!
I don't know what the answer is. I wish I did. But I think change will only come when enough people realise how ridiculous things are now. More people are dawning to that realisation daily and, like a landslide, it will pick up pace. I hope so, for all our sakes.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
28 Nov 11
That landslide can't hit soon enough for me. We are killing ourselves with our greed--we have plenty but our souls are empty. We live longer than any other generation but for no fulfilling reason. And all because we've abandoned our spiritual roots and embraced the culture of materialism.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
27 Nov 11
I totally agree with you, dragon. Couldn't have said it better myself. Actually, as I was reading this, I was thinking that you should send this to your local newspaper, to the editor. Who knows? Maybe he/she would be in the perfect frame of mind to print this opinion. I wouldn't change a single word.
I wouldn't doubt that the newspaper would get many, many responses to it, agreeing with it. Could be that someone who CAN make changes, real changes, would get wind of this and actually do something to help those in need instead of burning up all those dollars in the sky for a few minutes of pleasure, pleasure that those who desperately need help cannot feel because their bellies are empty or they're shivering from the cold.
I honestly thought this discussion was going to be able those insane shoppers who will stop at nothing to get those great bargains on Black Friday, since there have been way too many stories about the things some people have done, like the woman who pepper sprayed other shoppers to be first in line or the man who got robbed in the parking lot as he was on his way to his car with his gifts, etc.
The world is going insane and I'm becoming more and more of a hermit because of it. Send this to the editor! I think I'll be sending it to mine. Even though we haven't had fireworks here, there is still way too much waste and public events that can only be appreciated by those well off.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
27 Nov 11
Thanks for the encouragement! I might do that. I doubt anything will change but I can at least try.
I considered discussing the insane shoppers but they are only a symptom of the greater disease so I wrote about that instead. We've mostly abandoned any spiritual life as a society and this is the result. I'm glad you understood my message, sometimes I get off the track and don't express myself well.
I'm a hermit, too. I thought at one time I could help change things but I'm convinced that it's so bad that all we can do is hang on and try to protect as many loved ones as we can.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16784)
• China
29 Nov 11
I perfectly fall in with your views which is from the angle of the average people .If the city spent the money that was spent on the fireworks on the charity or public welfare,it would surely make favorable impact on society.The authorities in question must do solid work and share the feeling of the average people.The wasting money in celebrating Christmas has been going too far.If God existed indeed,would he allow people to do so?
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
29 Nov 11
No, God would want us to treat one another with love and kindness and share what we can. However, we are free to do what we want and instead of going by what Jesus tried to teach us we've sunk into a love of material goods and displays. It's a real shame the money we waste.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16784)
• China
30 Nov 11
They know well their action ran counter to what Jesus tried to teach them,but they still persisted in their old ways,why?I guess they swam with the flashy tide .They thought if they didn't do so ,they might lose face.
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
27 Nov 11
I totally understand where you are coming from and agree with you. As for the city council...they probably budgeted x amount for this, and x amount for that, and it is not generally their responsibility for the homeless, so your letter won't help. More of us need to give of ourselves to help the poor and needy because they will always be here with us. And of course...the business that has control of peoples' heat are a business...they don't care about anything but the money and the numbers...not the faces.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
28 Nov 11
You're right but the city council could modify their budget to benefit the city more. I agree with Aussie that the celebrations are necessary for public morale but it has gotten so over the top that it is ridiculous.
We have a box to check on my gas bill to donate $1 toward helping those who can't afford heat. That's a good idea. Utilities are publicly traded companies with stockholders that demand dividends, a return, and because they buy stock the companies can provide services fairly affordably. Of course they care about profits! If there were not profits they would lose funding from stockholders and could not exist. It's up to people like you and me to help our brothers and sisters, not with handouts but with handups. Get our city governments to stop wasting money on bread and circuses and spend it on job training, etc.
2 people like this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
30 Nov 11
You should of probably sent the letter to the editorial section of the local news paper. There is alot of that in the world. I know here they are trying to build up our lil downtown as a chic spot like the 3rd ward in Milwaukee. However, businesses that have been around for generations around the area feel abandoned because the downtown is all that is promoted. But you know along those lines some very large buildings are empty and it would be nice to see those filled again, but between the economy and the cost of such a location.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
30 Nov 11
Cities get tunnel vision and block out everything but the solution they have come up with. In doing so, they miss a lot of opportunity!
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
27 Nov 11
I think that there is nothing wrong with enjoying yourself but today we have to go over the top. The problem with that is the next time we have to go a little further until all that we are left with is a tawdry, but glitzy, celebration of.. well... we're not sure of what these days. Rampant consumerism? In a time when, as you say, there are hungry people out there. Maybe it's the birth of a chilld two thoudand years ago. Maybe in your country, but in mine that's the excuse and no longer the reason. Every year I read the same discussions about the cheapening of Christmas and other "holidays". Yet nothing seems to be done about it. I don't think that this is the faukt of the Government but of ourselves. We want what we cannot have and celebrate that fact rather than the sense of community that is really the message of celebrations like Thanksgiving and Christmas. I hope that makes sense.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
28 Nov 11
Yes, you're making sense. I know there are so many complaints about cheapening this wonderful holiday but I am hoping that by posting my feelings publicly I will inspire someone to help. Maybe they'll send a check to charity, maybe they'll stop and give an old spare coat to a homeless person or volunteer in a soup kitchen. If even one person re-thinks how they view Christmas because of what I write I will be happy. They, in turn, could inspire someone else and so on. It rarely happens that one rant inspires a movement but if just one person will do something different I'll have helped bring the true reason for Christmas to someone. We can only try our best.
1 person likes this
@GemmaR (8517)
•
28 Nov 11
I think that wasting money is something that people need to stop doing at Christmas, particularly when buying gifts for their children. Most of the time, when we give presents to children, they will spend their Christmas playing with one or two of the toys and then several of them will be still in their wrapping in January because they just haven't got around to playing with the ones that they're already got. People should make more of an effort with their families at Christmas instead of spending money, because it is family that is important at this time.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
28 Nov 11
Yes, you are right! They will forget silly toys in a couple of months but they will always remember time spent with family and it will influence them for the rest of their lives.
We value all the wrong things. I wish we could get back to basic. I'd hoped that the economy tanking would help with that but it doesn't seem to have changed much.
1 person likes this
@jesssp (2712)
• Canada
29 Nov 11
I really, really agree with you. I am not a fan of Christmas and I think a lot of the reason is because we don't have many children in the family yet. But another reason is because it's just nothing like it was when we were children.
Our family is almost all adults who are well enough off that they really don't want for anything. That makes gift giving nothing more than a chore to me. I hate that it feels that way, but it does. Having to rack my brain to come up with a gift idea for someone who doesn't need it and then brave ridiculous crowds and picked over shelves to find it is maddening. And the other thing about Christmas, particularly with the inlaws, is that is seems like they try to force this ideal of a perfect family Christmas. Even though it's not what we want, it doesn't matter. They have to force that idea of the perfect family, the perfect celebration, the perfect holiday. And as far as I'm concerned, that's just a little silly when there are no little ones around.
And the expense. The waste. It's astronomical. The lights, the decorations, the wrapping. It's all just too much. Everything has gotten so excessive that anything that matters just gets lost in the glitz and glam. Definitely not a huge fan of the commercial Christmas.
2 people like this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
27 Nov 11
For my family, Christmas has always been a big deal. It was the one time in the year that we were able to spend time with our extended family and we always did have plenty of gifts to open. In addition to that, it was also the time of year that we tried everything that we could to help others that were in need.
Now that I've got a family of my own, I'm trying to do the same thing with them. I am teaching my children to give to those that aren't as lucky as we are and I also make a point of not being extravagent with the kids.
The thing that makes me absolutely sick is watching these people walk out of stores on Black Friday with thousands of dollars in merchandise when there are so many people that are struggling.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
28 Nov 11
What makes me sick is that those people with all those bargains are probably deeply in debt. They've been brainwashed, voluntarily. Part of the brainwashing is a willful ignorance of the misery in the rest of the world, a donning on blinders and earplugs to shut the world out so they can concentrate on their own ideal little world.
I'm glad your children are learning that the world does not revolve around them. I used to take my boys to the very worst part of town a couple times a year to show them how their lives might be had not God blessed them with a comfortable life. I remember one time we were at a McDonald's for lunch and their dad saw a homeless person outside and brought him in and bought him a meal. The manager tried to make him go outside by my hubby shamed him into letting the guy sit at the next table to us. That was a wonderful example for our kids. Charity is year round, not just at Christmas.
Keep up the good work!
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
28 Nov 11
Hiya dragon,
You are so right dragon if all those fireworks would not go up in smoke if only but the money for it is controlled at least it is here and we do not have a say as to how the money is spent.
More or less they would tell us to mind our own business.
Same situation this Spain is full of hungry and shivering People as well and they are very much forgotten.
Bright side is that People who don´t have very much money remember more than the others who don´t know what to do with theirs and they organize events for those who are worse off than themselves bless their hearts.xxx
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
28 Nov 11
That is ironic, isn't it? People who are barely getting by are doing their best to help the poor while our governments piss away our money on baubles and luxuries.
If everyone in every country would only realize that it's THEIR money their governments are wasting!! They give money in taxes and the gov't spends it. Gov't doesn't earn money, it takes it from the people. Everything the gov't spends comes from the taxpayers--welfare programs, free food, the cars that gov't officials use, YOU ALL PAY FOR IT!!!!! It's YOUR money!!
That's what makes it so offensive to me. It's like my city sneaked into my house and robbed me because I don't want that extravaganza of excess. They're wasting my money.
1 person likes this
@millertime (1394)
• United States
28 Nov 11
I know exactly what you mean. I think we, as a society, not only in the U.S. but in many countries, have become spoiled by our standard of living. When times get a little tough and we are forced to scale back, we don't know how to do it. We continue to desire more.
It's the same in the corporate culture. Company boards of directors and CEO's aren't satisfied making a certain amount of profit every year. They are only satisfied if they can INCREASE profits every year. Anything less and they consider it under-performing or even failure. Even if their profit is quite large, they still want to see the number go up.
We really have become a culture of consumption. We go for everything we can get and more. All the latest tech gadgets, smart phones, tablets, notebooks, netbooks, i-this and i-that are considered necessities and we can't imagine living without them.
I look back at my life before computers and cell phones and I realize that my quality of life was as good or better than it is now. I was perfectly happy living without all the stuff that we have nowadays. But so many people just can't imagine doing without.
Our federal, state and local governments are the same way. They don't know how to cut back and "live" on less. They continue to spend money on "stuff" that's not needed. They don't know how to differentiate between wants and needs.
I saw a local municipality cut back on police and fire services recently, at the same time they were spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for "beautification" projects like brick inlaid sidewalks and crosswalks, new landscaping projects all over the city and other projects that could have been postponed or cut back instead of laying off police and firefighters. You really wonder how supposedly intelligent people in public office make these kinds of decisions but they do somehow.
I think maybe people are finally starting to wake up and see all the blatant waste and excesses in government that we have been ignoring for so long. So many of us are now being forced to cut back our standard of living, it's about time we force the same on our governing bodies.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
28 Nov 11
I hope people are realizing how much their tax dollars are wasted. The problem is that they look on government as a separate entity, not something that they fund--it's THEIR money, not some fairy godmother. If we can make them realize that, things will change.
Life was simpler without technology, it's true. I remember raising my children quietly, playing with legos with them, little cars and trucks on the floor, holding them both on my lap as I read to them. This was just 20 years ago, believe it or not. Computers were a novelty, not a necessity. Life was better, we were closer.
I love technology but I admit it's done a lot of harm--but only because of our proclivity to excess and that need for more, more, more! Like the fireworks I mentioned, we just can't get enough.
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
12 Dec 11
I think you have made very valid points! Especially concerning better uses for wasted money on extravagances. I believe we need to fill our centers spiritually not gaudily! Hope city council receives your letter in the spirit written.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
12 Dec 11
I appreciate your comment about Rome..
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
12 Dec 11
I think we're too far gone, really. A nation that thinks a television is a necessity instead of a luxury is so far down the road that it's almost stepping off the cliff.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
4 Dec 11
I was listening to a current affair program the other day and the show host was saying to be careful choosing Christmas gifts this year because surveys show that most gifts are returned or thrown away.
My daughter asked for a particular thing a few years ago and I got it for her but she still has not used it. Two years ago I gave my granddaughters a $50 gift voucher to share and they let it expire without using it. What does this say to you?
Sure, they are well off and can have what they want but I am not. I struggle financially at times as a low income earner so this sort of thing really makes me angry.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
11 Dec 11
That must really hurt your heart. I understand giving gift cards, I might have to do it myself in the future as it's getting harder and harder for me to get out to shop and ship. It's like a slap in the face when they throw your gift away. I would definitely write them a letter and express that, if it was me. They may not realize what they are communicating to you and what you sacrificed to give them that card.
This year why don't you just write them a letter and tell them what you love about them? My family has done that many times over the years when we had no money to buy things. Those are the gifts everyone remembers, keeps and treasures.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
3 Dec 11
I think that is part of what is wrong with this country. We've abandoned and denied our spiritual roots and lost our focus on what is good and right. I do hear a lot of places are now allowing people to say the word Christmas in public, in stores and calling the tree the proper name now. That's good news, there may be hope ahead. Now if we can just get over this materialistic mind set we can get somewhere.
1 person likes this
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
13 Dec 11
hi dear dragon, sorry for the late answer but I have the notifications piling up and didnt get to this earlier. Had to get rid of that Christmas Frenzy first with all the buying wraping writing and sending.
I have a lot of friends to think of at Christmas but they all get relatively small gifts and there are only a handful of people (husband, mom in law, two close friends) who get a little more cause they are so special to me.
I agree with you. The Christmas expenses have gotten out of hand in many households. I honestly dont care whether I am ridiculed behind my back for making such small gifts like a nice calendar or a book. But this development has started decades ago. When I was a kid and teen in theb 70s and 80s I wrote quite a wishlist as there was Grandma, aunts, and my mothers female friends asking what I want for Christmas. But I carefully thought when writing that list and made sure I didnt jot down too expensive stuff. By the way, books which back then were affordable, made me the happiest person around closely followed by new stationary.......
but when my younger half sister was 6 and could barely write I saw her wish list. A wrist watch and a few other things and a POODLE. Tssk. I mean my parents were divorced and my father was a doctor and stinking rich but I would never have asked him for a dog (or in my case a special breed cat as I am a cat person and not a dog person).
When I, around the same time had asked him for a cassette recorder with 11 years old he exploded and said it starts like this, you will go and ask for a plane when you are of age, but he didnt say anything to my impudent sister from his second marriage. She didnt get a poodle, but a cocker spaniel........
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
14 Dec 11
You and I were a lot alike! I loved books and stationery--that was before the internet when we wrote letters and I loved pretty paper with matching envelopes. Growing up in a poor household, I knew not to ask for anything extravagant.
I wish we could go back to simpler times when Christmas meant something special. I still remember being in awe of the candlelight service on Christmas Eve at our church and how wonderful it made me feel.
I'm sorry you have that memory of your father. I hope he gave you some nice ones to compensate. Unfortunately, those kinds of memories are the ones that stick.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with those who love you!
