I have seen more articles like this lately than I can count, announcing that the recession may have bottomed out, that recovery may be on the way, that the economy may soon head in the right direction... unless it doesn't.
This also marks the second or third time that I have seen in print the idea that Americans may ruin everything by being too frugal, by holding on to their money.
That's nuts, frankly. Saving is good. It is good for families, and if it is good for families it is good for the country. Period. Corporate princes sucking at the Black Friday teat can go hang. America would be immeasurably better off with smaller, simpler and more joyful Chritsmas celebrations, more centered on faith and family than mammon.
Eric Scheske posts some wonderful Christmas poems (more like songs in search of a tune) that capture the spirit admirably;
Christmas time is come, hang on the Pot
Let Spits turn round, and Ovens be hot;
Beef, Pork, and Poultry, to provide
To feast thy Neighbors at this Tide;
Then, wash all down with good Wine and Beer
And so with Mirth conclude the year.
- Virginia Almanack, 1765Now Christmas comes, ’tis fit that we
Should feast and sing and merry be
Keep open House, let Fiddlers play
A Fig for Cold, sing Care away
And may they who thereat repine
On brown Bread and on small Beer dine.
-Virginia Almanack, 1766
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