American Acquisition Disorder

We are a nation of over consumers. It is reflected in our obesity, our waste stream, our debt load, and much more...our need for much more. What brings this to mind is "The World's Longest Yardsale" occurring this weekend. It starts in Gadsden Alabama at the southern end of Lookout Mountain and winds its way to Addison Michigan near Ann Arbor almost 700 miles. The name and the event support my point - it is the world's longest and so must be the best, the greatest, the largest, the mostest. We just can't get enough. Folks we have a problem.

My buddies set up and sell stuff they accumulate over the year - planning on taking it to the sale. They often sell a few thousand dollars worth of stuff. Their Daddy was a good trader and they have a well developed eye for easy to sell goods (they are also good fishermen). They collect and sell mainly old stuff - everything from pocketknives to horse collars.

So in our community we have regular Trade Day twice each week on Tuesday and Saturday. It is a market which has persisted for about a century (that I know of)...moving a few times over the decades. Tuesday is the big sale, Saturday's much smaller. There is almost always produce and over the last couple of decades the Hispanic vendors have really improved the quality and selection. Often you can find chickens, goats, rabbits, dogs and assorted animals for sale. Tuesday's bring the circuit traders that sell mostly new items they buy cheaply in bulk or returns or some other bargain deal. There are always a few folks that have cleaned out their garage and want to get rid of some of their stuff. There are a group of traders that buy out mini-warehouses...you know those rental storage buildings you see all over...a glaring symptom of our acquisition disorder. What happens is people get over extended and can't pay the rental fee for their storage building so the owners auction off the contents....often sight unseen with doors closed. These vendors usually leave stuff in boxes and let people paw through them calling out prices largely on a whim. So in fact you can often buy things at a real bargain. That's what drives people...getting a bargain...feeding our disorder. Sometimes people buying things they really don't need nor want because it was such a bargain.

Well, this weekend it is on steroids. There is traffic and sales are everywhere....up and down the mountain roadsides...after 3-5 inches of rain in the area this week. Some sale sites are quagmires, and yet even they are crowded with people and traffic. I'm lucky I guess because there is nothing I need that bad.
https://wdef.com/2018/08/02/worlds-longest-yard-sale-begun/ (45 sec clip or text)

Over consumption

The United States, with less than 5 % of the global population, uses about a quarter of the world’s fossil fuel resources—burning up nearly 25 % of the coal, 26 % of the oil, and 27 % of the world’s natural gas.

As of 2003, the U.S. had more private cars than licensed drivers, and gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles were among the best-selling vehicles.

New houses in the U.S. were 38 % bigger in 2002 than in 1975, despite having fewer people per household on average.

Calculations show that the planet has available 1.9 hectares of biologically productive land per person to supply resources and absorb wastes—yet the average person on Earth already uses 2.3 hectares worth. These “ecological footprints” range from the 9.7 hectares claimed by the average American to the 0.47 hectares used by the average Mozambican.

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/810

“A child born in the United States will create thirteen times as much ecological damage over the course of his or her lifetime than a child born in Brazil,” reports the Sierra Club’s Dave Tilford, adding that the average American will drain as many resources as 35 natives of India and consume 53 times more goods and services than someone from China.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/american-consumption-habits/

1. Americans consume twice as much food on average as most countries in the world.
2. Americans consume on average 3,754 calories a day.
3. America wastes over 100 billion pounds of food waste a year. Wasted food costs the environment, water, and soil.
4. 10% of energy is used to grow food.
5. 90% of water is used for agriculture.
6. We are losing soil 10 times faster than we can replenish.
7. Wasted food is biodegradable and produces methane gas. Methane gas is 20 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
8. It cost the country $1.5 billion dollars annually to dispose of food waste.
9. Over 9 million people a year die from hunger and malnutrition worldwide. About 5 million are children.
10. 1 out of 8 children in The United States goes to bed hungry. Most belong to working for poor families.
11. 19 million people live in working for poor families in The United States.
12. Almost 16,000 children die of hunger every day worldwide. That is about one child every 5 seconds.

https://tonywideman.com/overconsumption-food-waste-america/

We simply buy too much of what we don’t need and often even what we don’t really want.
The following are some statistics on consumption relating to various goods, services and resources we use.
https://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/consumption-statistics.html

Why do we use so much more than other countries? We incentivize consumption.

Remember your patriotic duty...go shopping!

Combined federal and state consumption tax rates on petroleum in the United States are only a sixth of the level in France, and a seventh of the level in Italy, Norway, and the Netherlands. Gasoline taxes in America are just an eighth of the average in Western Europe. Higher fuel taxes are blocked because our fossil fuel industry is so much larger and richer, and thus better positioned to lobby for governmental favors. Only 8% of public sector revenues in America derive from consumption taxes, compared to roughly 20% in Europe.

Only 23% of Americans believe the federal government should have any direct role at all in setting nutritional standards for public schools, and only 22% support taxes on caloric soda. Industry-wide regulations on food advertisements to kids are legally blocked in America by a unique presumption that such ads are “commercial speech” protected under the First Amendment. This libertarian legal view enjoys bipartisan political support. When the Obama Administration in 2011 dared to suggest “voluntary” guidelines on food ads to children, Congress rejected the idea by a 3-to-1 vote in the House and a 2-to-1 vote in the Senate.

https://blog.oup.com/2015/05/over-consumption-america-corporate-power/

When the richest 10 percent account for 60 percent of all private consumption, we have to ask ourselves if these top-tier consumers could possibly improve their well-being any further through material gains? Researchers like E.O. Wilson explain this paradox with a theory rarely incorporated into decisions – evolution.

The characteristics of human behaviour that became fixed in our population through natural selection occurred over the 95 percent of our pre-modern existence where we lived in sparsely populated hunter-gatherer bands with local community connections. Then the resource problem was one of local access.

Early human societies had primitive and inefficient ways of collecting resources, so those that thrived were ones that developed high rates of consumption and new innovations for resource gathering. They also had built up strong identity with their own community and competitiveness with others, and short-term thinking (discounting the future).

https://ourworld.unu.edu/en/why-do-we-over-consume

Over consumption is more devastating to the environment than population growth
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/apr/15/consumption-versus-p...

So is it our biology that drives us to acquire evermore? When we look at the difference with other countries there has to be cultural issues driving our disorder as well. The capitalist system is at the heart of the issue...

It is a story of stuff...and it is unsustainable...a linear system in a closed environment. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/21/overconsumption-envi... (21 min)

Five years and 40 million views later, we’re a Community of more than a million changemakers worldwide, working to build a more healthy and just planet. We invite you to watch and share our movies, participate in our study programs and join our campaigns.

Last week Chris Hedges hosted film maker Lauren Greenfield. They discuss our compulsion to acquire more than just stuff....a cult of self in "generation wealth". Excellent discussion which influenced this essay. (27 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60NxjD4dWro
Bob Scheer also interviewed her on his podcast
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/can-america-ever-cure-our-obsession-wi...

The environment

I think this same consumption or acquisition syndrome we're looking at today is closely connected to our blindness and inability to prevent our march to extinction. Long term thinking...acting now, doing without now...in order to have a better tomorrow is not inherent in our species. Our persistent greed is driving environmental destruction. There have been a number of good essays up on c99 this week about climate. The rapid changes are plain to see. But weather is today...climate is next year, next decade, the next century.

Too bad the corporate media fails to draw the relationship of extreme weather and our use of fossil fuels. (video or text)
https://therealnews.com/stories/mass-media-fail-to-link-heat-waves-and-c...

While there is adequate coverage of heat waves and their effects on people and the environment, only a small percentage of media outlets link the heat to climate change.
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/our-climate-has-entered-a-deadly-phase...

Michael Mann says that a business-as-usual scenario leads to uninhabitable parts of the planet and mass displacement (video or text)
https://therealnews.com/stories/extreme-heat-could-make-one-third-of-pla...

One NOAA oceanographer warns that even if humanity "stopped the greenhouse gases at their current concentrations today, the atmosphere would still continue to warm for next couple decades to maybe a century."
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/08/03/earths-carbon-concentration...

Noam discusses both climate and nuclear weapons as our nemesis (video or text)
https://www.democracynow.org/2018/7/30/noam_chomsky_survival_of_organize...

Our Actions

The Exxon investigation ended a day after the president announced he would roll back auto emissions standards https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/08/03/trumps-sec-closes-probe-exx...

A series of natural gas pipeline explosions in Midland County, Texas on Wednesday hospitalized seven people with injuries and highlighted the risks of transporting fossil fuels. https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/08/02/reminder-how-often-fracking...

Meanwhile in Mexico...there is some good news- AMLO pledges to ban fracking in his country
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/08/02/moving-right-direction-mexi...

There is nothing we can do...oh yes there is. At least for some people...

It is a wise person that considers it important to plant trees whose shade they will never enjoy. It is in the nature of some people....

The Man Who Planted Trees (French title L'homme qui plantait des arbres), also known as The Story of Elzéard Bouffier, The Most Extraordinary Character I Ever Met, and The Man Who Planted Hope and Reaped Happiness, is an allegorical tale by French author Jean Giono, published in 1953. (30 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTvYh8ar3tc

Since the 1970's Majuli islander Jadav Payeng has been planting trees in order to save his island. To date he has single-handedly planted a forest larger than Central Park NYC. His forest has transformed what was once a barren wasteland, into a lush oasis. Humble yet passionate and philosophical about his work. Payeng takes us on a journey into his incredible forest. (16 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkZDSqyE1do

Rickshaw puller Abdus Samad Sheikh, 60, cannot sleep at night if he doesn't plant a tree every day. Living at Vagondanga village in Faridpur Sadar upazila's Aliabad union, Samad has planted around 50,000 trees in the last 48 years. He earns around Tk 100 every day, and with that, he buys essentials for his family and at least a plant. (2.5 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGWnlfOPeAs

Rachhya's Story (Why this inspiring woman is planting millions of trees in Nepal) (3.7 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1BgRVpm4xQ

The Green Belt Movement (http://greenbeltmovement.org) organizes rural women in Kenya to plant trees, an effort that combats deforestation while generating income for the community and promoting empowerment for women. Since Maathai founded the Movement, over 40 million trees have been planted and over 30,000 women have been trained in forestry, food processing, beekeeping, and other sustainable, income-generating activities. (9 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQU7JOxkGvo

There are many similar stories from around they world. When you feel all is hopeless plant a tree and create a little hope. For the air, for the water, for the ecosystem...

Why would the oligarchs destroy the planet on which we all live? Perhaps it is because they don't plan to stay here. It's the billionaire space race. Who's missile is bigger?

(19 Jul 2018) Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket company shot a capsule higher into space Wednesday than it's ever done before. The New Shepard rocket blasted off from West Texas on the company's latest test flight. (1.1 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKc4VLRFzc4

Richard Branson says he's months away from becoming an astronaut, and "neck and neck" with Jeff Bezos in the race to begin space tourism. https://www.businessinsider.com/richard-branson-space-race-with-jeff-bez...

Don't forget Elon Musk's space X program...he has a big missile too.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/24/books/review/space-barons-christian-d...

It doesn't really matter how it effects the little people...
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-27/the-billionaire-space...

It is not just the long term issue of climate. They use our human nature against us on many levels. The Russia meme comes to mind. Be scared! More from Jimmy and the crew.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odDAqODiN8c (14 min)

Interesting discussion with Barrett Brown and Chris Hedges on the nature of news and propaganda (27 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EVPBwrj3RI

Nothing expresses the degree to which we've been duped better than our senseless wars.

Middle East

Khaled al Ahmad is a Syrian government emissary and businessman who masterminded the Syrian government’s reconciliation strategy. https://www.truthdig.com/articles/meet-the-mystery-fixer-who-negotiated-...

Vanessa Beeley counters the attacks leveled by the white helmets suggesting she is lying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNUecbxGLno

As things become calmer in Syria, they are heating up in Yemen...
Professor Isa Blumi of Stockholm University and author of “Destroying Yemen,” discusses the motives and impact of the unrelenting US-backed assault of Yemen (2 parts video or text)
https://therealnews.com/series/the-saudi-us-agenda-behind-destroying-yemen

Why aren't people outraged about our actions in Yemen? They don't know about them.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/08/02/corporate-media-looks-other...

Noam discusses the tragedy of Gaza and Israel's focus to exclude Palestinians.
https://www.democracynow.org/2018/7/30/noam_chomsky_condemns_israel_s_shift
https://www.democracynow.org/2018/7/30/amid_deadly_israeli_crackdown_on_...

Jimmy Dore, Stef and Ron explain the insanity of a war with Iran.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sUFSOxVllY (16 min)

Noam on the expansion of NATO and US Russian relationships.
https://www.democracynow.org/2018/7/30/noam_chomsky_us_must_improve_rela...

I must admit I was ready for a T-rump break too Mr Fish.

Our 'Merikan Acquistion Disorder is MAD, but maybe our madness is baked into our genetic code. I know my buddies enjoy the big yard sale. They collect for it all year. But before the sale they start having seller's remorse. They bought that old tool and cleaned it up got it working nice...might come in handy...but in the sale it goes cause it ought to bring pretty good. Besides I got to cherry pick their sale items, and I bought a $3 ukulele...cause we all suffer from this madness.

Here's hoping we all can acquire a little peace and serenity today and every day. I look forward to your comments below...