Michael Dresser (a radio talk show host) once said that " Thanksgiving is America's national chow-down feast, the one occasion each year when gluttony becomes a patriotic duty."I couldn't agree with him less. I think that Thanksgiving is not the only day when we are gluttons, everyday is. I just ate a cup of ice cream, but that's not why I think that we are all gluttons. Eating ridiculous amounts of food is just the tip of the iceberg. As Americans, we have always looked for more. Most of our families came here with the prospect of "gold paved streets" and "oppertunities for everyone."
Look at the differences in American culture and European culture. While the Europeans have been driving small efficient cars for years, we have been driving cheaply built V8 gas guzzlers. Its not just recent models, look at cars fifty or sixty years ago, the Giant Cadillacs of the 50s compared with the petite Mini Coopers, BMW Isettas or Citroen DSs.
We don't just drive big, we live big. Mcmansions are a rare American trend as well. This idea of more is always better runs through our entire culture. Americans have always believed that the more you can buy, the happier you will be. We borrowed money we couldn't afford to buy things we didn't necessarily need, look online for repossessed boats or other expensive "toys."Our gluttony is not only bad for our economy, but also bad for our earth. Think of all the energy our Mcmansions take to heat, think of how much gas is used in our V8 SUVs. I cant help but wonder what percentage of the time my family's two SUVs have one or two passengers (probably 70%-90% of the time).
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