In response to Abby's blog (The overspent American)

"What are your views on consumers "over spending"


I feel as though my views are mixed in regards to Americans' "overspending. While reading Abby's blog and watching a portion of the film in class i feel as though many aspects can be justified as to why, we as Americans spend so much money on things that we will later for get about and become obsolete in our lives within a few months. The film offered a few explanations as to why we as a society do this, however it seemed as though the film was based on the theory of buyers remorse. This to me does not justify the aspect of spending. In my opinion I feel as though we are all raised in a capitalist society, that was once derived from, "The American Dream". People worked for what they had and climbed their way up the socioeconomic latter withing life. The film touched upon this for a few moments and then connected this justification back to buyers remorse. Which i don't full agree with.
I believe that these aspects are two separate entities. By living and growing in capitalist society, it was the way that we were brought up. I like how the film brought up the fact of emulating those that have what we want and i find that to be a valid point and which is why we as Americans growing up in this type of society would see that strong correlation between the two aspects of life without realizing it.
I must say however that I am not giving the"green light" to spending more money or consuming more product. I am only trying to provide an alternative justification to  why we spend more money than we may actually have to live outside of our means.