Quote:
Originally posted by bartman
I see it as an embracing of greed and excess. The use of natural rescources by the 250m americans is something like 25% of world consumption! This cannot continue.
Please dont label me as anti american, as I support the recent action in Iraq, and love traveling in the states.
|
A lot of this comes down to values and people's perception of humans and mankind... for example, I think that many liberals and peace protester types are too naive. There is evil in the world that must be dealt with force.
So, depending on one's perspective, greed, excess, consumption, etc., are do not have to be inherently wrong. If anything, "greed" drives people to work harder.
A study was once done by an economist, and in the study, they surveyed people all around the world asking what they wanted. A poor farmer in a poor country said he wanted a pair of cows. A middle class American said he wanted a powerboat. A middle class person in a former soviet nation said he wanted a car. The conclusion of the study was that people all around the world want around "20% more"... and once they had it, they wanted another 20%.
Regarding natural resource consumption... first of all, the consumption is largely proportional to the actual production of the United States (of products for the entire world).
Secondly, what would be done with the natural resources if the US stopped consuming them? NOTHING. The governments and cultures of many other nations simply do not facilitate productivity. Look, there is ENOUGH food to feed the world! it just can't be delivered...
Also, that statistic of the US using 25% of total consumption is deceiving. It's deceptive cause-and-effect logic. Michael Moore style logic.