Consumption binge

Our current economic crisis is rooted in the American dream with waste and over-consumption. Our cars and houses are too big and wasteful to operate, heat and cool. We drive too far to work and for services. The idea that bigger is better brings us deeper into debt.

We waste food, medicine and energy just because it’s oversupplied. Our homes are full of items we don’t use or need. Our American dream has turned into a nightmare.

We keep fueling our excessive oil consumption by sacrificing our sons and daughters in the military occupation of foreign lands. We fight wars for greed and oil. All we are defending is our ability to fill up landfills and buy more foreign-made products. We use corn sugar to fatten up our kids just like our cattle. Our poor health is linked to a diet of preprocessed junk food with empty calories.

We waste water then pollute what’s left with runoff chemicals from our lawns and roads. We are quick to wave our flag or quote the Bible to defend our lifestyle. This allows us to justify our harmful choices and actions. Our New Year’s resolution must be to change our wasteful behavior.

Pete Scobby

Newport, Wash.