http://www.sdearthtimes.com/et0696/et0696s10.html

What can we do to take back our communities and rescue ourselves from the current feeding frenzy? Well, first of all unplug your radio and television. Broadcast media has always been about selling you things you don’t need. It is important that we avoid the hype and propaganda. When those trying to sell you a product tell you that it is "new and improved," what they are really saying is that the packaging is new and the marketing has been improved. Case in point is Madison Avenue trying to convince us that Tums are a calcium supplement. Here is a novel idea: want calcium, eat your vegetables. There I go getting all subversive again.

Most Americans believe our culture is lacking. It’s as if we have this hole in the center of our being that we can’t quite fill. Some try to make up the difference with drugs and alcohol, others with religion, and some with sex. But for the most part, we are all trying to save our battered souls with stuff, stuff and more stuff. Lacking adventure in your life? Every other commercial promises that a new car would do the trick. Want adventure? I say take the time to actually get to know your family, friends and neighbors - that’s the adventure of a lifetime, without the monthly payments.

It is impossible to fulfill our emotional and spiritual needs with material goods. While we work at paying off the debt from purchasing the things that were supposed to make us happier, we have less time to address our real needs: family, friends, and community. By sacrificing our emotional needs to imaginary material ones, we enter into a cycle that promotes even more consumption, while forcing you to spend even more time away from home trying to support your consumptive urges.