Today at my Masters Swim workout a woman was talking about her imminent move to back to one of the two houses Menlo Park, CA (a very pricey community) she and her husband just remodelled. It seems her husband insisted that they buy all new furniture because it wouldn't look good if they had a "mix of furniture" in the house. She was stressing out because she doesn't like new things and doesn't want to let anyone actually USE them because they might get scratched or ruined.
In a week where Warren Buffet made headlines by showing the good people can do with their wealth and Republicans persist in pursuing the elimination of the estate tax, I think this woman and her husband symbolize one of the definitions of vulgar. Vulgar: offensively excessive self-display or expenditure; ostentatious as in the huge vulgar houses and cars of the newly rich.
This is the last day for my challenge to make a contribution to a progressive candidate when Kossacks purchase a copy of my satire, Doublethink. The story shows, among other lessons, how rewarding this form of vulgar behavior can result in an unsustainable society.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
One of the driving forces for celebrity or excess consumption is that people feel that other less fortunate folks will admire them and feel envy. What if acting like you were entitled to consume all the resources on the planet, made you an object of contempt or mockery? Would you be as likely to do it?
I grew up in comfortable, middle class circumstances where my family knew a lot of people who were very wealthy. Because one of my career paths was as a curator in art museums, I also crossed paths with people with serious trust funds and huge apartments overlooking Central Park. I've lived in Silicon Valley for a long time and many of my friends and acquaintances are quite successful.
One of the lessons I learned early on was that people with "old money" behaved modestly and dressed simply (think preppy). They didn't show off by wearing lots of jewelry (except in formal circumstances). Their houses were a mix of old and new furniture and art because older pieces were often inherited and had sentimental value. It was inappropriate to ask someone what a given object cost. Understatement was considered a virtue and good taste was part of the legacy passed along to young people. Acting in a way that was "nouveau riche" was a bad thing. Being considerate was simply good manners.
The way successful people showed they'd "made it" was by giving back to the community (even the Republicans). If you were middle class you gave to charity. If you were really rich, you endowed hospital wings or scholarships.
I think one of the simplest weapons we have in our fight against economic injustice is witholding our admiration for people who are vulgar, greedy, and build homes that look like commercial buildings. We can applaud displays of good taste over acres of expensive granite countertops and 4-car garages with $250,000 automobiles.
We can counteract the crassness and meanness of the right by being polite and civil to each other. Good manners and kindness are free and make the world a nicer place. In conversation, talk about what Bill Gates is doing with his foundation to change the world and how his father is a founder of Responsible Wealth.
Quote Warren Buffet's comments on the dangers of inherited wealth when someone starts whining about the "death tax." Challenge the whiner that the adult children should exercise "personal responsibility" and recognize that they didn't earn the money. It's simply a transaction that is being taxed. Isn't that capitalism in action?
Not only are this woman and her husband setting poor example of responsible consumption and decorating skills, it's bad ecology. To top it off, she's not even happy about her good fortune! When we see the stories here about people who can't even afford the basics despite their best efforts, it's disgusting to hear someone complaining about needing to prevent her family from sitting on the new couch.