Christmas of course is a long gone casualty of consumerism. In it, there are moments of purity, but for the most part, it's original intent has been all but vaporized.At least the integrity of our other holidays are intact. But amazingly, consumerism is seeping into these, too. Thanksgiving? The sit down dinner has been obliterated by the day-after-shopping frenzy.Halloween has been killed by community fear more than consumerism, but the "trick" in the "trick or treat" salutation is all but a formality now. Cough up the candy.Valentine's Day? Not only are you being told when to bestow more affection on your loved one, but now, it's implied that you have to buy a gift, too. Not just candy or flowers, but a gift.Easter has lost all meaning and corporations are pushing candy, gifts and cards on us so forcefully, we don't know which way is up.The same thing is happening with Mother's Day. Recently, a major company was having a Mother's Day sale on cell phones. Cell phones? Brunch and an "I love you" isn't enough? Our economy depends on growth, and so some intrusiveness on the part of corporations is expected. We've got to eat, right? But do we have to annihilate our identity, our Americana, the purity and meaning of our holidays in the process?[[In-content Ad]]
