Jinhee, Anita & Danny: Yes, you’re right. The market does help with the economies in other nations, if it’s done justly. I guess I don’t fall lock-step with the anti-globalization movement.

But American consumption is way off the charts. And the debt burden on our nation even greater. I think you’re right: we don’t have many other alternatives, but we can still create markets without going on a spending frenzy.

Besides, if I buy a flat-screen television, that probably won’t trickle down to the markets of the third world, unless they’ve learned to capitalize on high tech. And this is where I venture into my wife’s territory, and she’s getting a doctorate. So she can (and probably will) correct me… =)

Steve: bravo! But yes, the deals are alluring. Someone emailed me about how to get Office 2008 for Mac for $36, and I had to jump at it. And that was right after I wrote the post. Haha — I have a nasty plank in my eye…

It’s strange how my thoughts are evolving. I used to decry American greed. Now that I see how much of the developing world depends on our buying habits, I’m left a little dumb founded.

After all, an American with a shopping addiction and credit card debt will always have food on the table but the 2/3 world poor have no such guarantee.

I understand concepts of finite carrying capacity, projecting an unattainable lifestyle to the majority of the world, etc. I just don’t see a viable alternative at this point.

Regardless, I hear you regarding an extension of the Thanksgiving experience. It won’t matter to anyone involved if we purchase our goods three days later.