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IS MORE CONSUMER SPENDING THE ANSWER TO OUR ECONOMIC WOES?
by Sr. Brenda Walsh, Racine Dominican

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, people are already thinking about gift-giving and what they can afford during these lean economic times. Many are experiencing economic hardships because of job loss, threat of bankruptcy, health care costs and more. At the same time people are being encouraged by some policy makers to spend more as a way of boosting the economy. Many feel a need to save more to meet future needs and to take a close look at what they are spending on gifts for their children and other ways, anticipating that the economic slow-down may linger for a long time to come. They are also looking at how their money is spent. "Will it bring happiness to the family, or could something less expensive also bring them much pleasure and joy? Would sharing some of their limited resources with those who have very little also bring joy as well as hope to the recipients and to the givers?

Polls say that 89% of people are spending less or the same as last year on gift-giving. Many are feeling it is time to evaluate how they spend their money and decide to spend more responsibly. This will call for a discussion with their family members to help them understand the reason for the change. It will help the entire family to re-evaluate their spending habits and make needed changes.

People can also look at the items they are purchasing. Are they made in America? Can they use some fair trade items that also help the people in poor areas who made them and do not exploit the workers who made the items?

What are other ways that the economy can be bolstered in these languishing economic times?

      We can examine our lifestyles and see what we need to change to live simply. This will help people have less debt and more opportunities to share with those most in need.

      Examine our beliefs: Is bigger always better? Does more bring you happiness and security? What are the ingredients of a happy life? For healthy living, we need to address the mind, body, spirit connection and respond accordingly.

      Do material goods bring happiness? Many are discovering that they don’t need as many things to make them happy.

      Are there substitutes for expensive vacations? What are they?

      How would we define a healthy economy?

      Can we challenge our legislators to spend less money on wars that do not bring solutions to problems but only create more violence? We also need to challenge political leaders to support small companies that can create jobs and offer fewer tax breaks to those who have no need of them. Urge legislators not to balance the national or state budgets on the backs of those who can least afford it.

    Perhaps churches and faith communities could gather people together to discuss these issues and help them to find ways to come up with some answers and help each other through challenging economic times. Recently Archbishop Dolan, head of the US Bishops Conference urged people to take some direct action on what he called "the poverty scandal" and bring hope to people in need. No effort is too small to make a difference.

Justice Preaching Archive

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• Justice Bulletin Board •
• VIEW FROM DEATH ROW •
• RESPONDING TO JOHN GRISHAM •
• A New Year •
• RACE, INNOCENCE AND THE END OF THE DEATH PENALTY •
• Two Essays on Peace •
• A RENEWED CALL TO RESTORE CIVILITY IN POLITICAL DEBATES AND OTHER AREAS •
• A CALL TO HELP ELDERS RECLAIM AND LIVE THEIR HUMAN VALUES •
• A CALL TO NAME •
• A Call To Respect and Welcome Diversity - A Challenge of Our Faith •
• Addressing White Power and Priviledge •
• An Ethical Reflection on Work... •
• A Re-energized Catholic Church •
• A Renewed Call for Nuclear Disarmament •
• A THEOLOGY FOR CARING FOR THE EARTH •
• Called to Proclaim and Live With Moral Courage •
• Called To Protect the Poor In Our Economic System •
• A RENEWED CALL TO HEAL A DIVIDED WORLD •
• Call To Persevere In Praying and Working for Peace •
• Care For the Environment •
• Care for the Earth •
• Caritas in Veritate •
• The Challenge of Discipleship •
• Comprehensive Immigration Reform •
• WORKING TO CREATE A CULTURE OF PEACE •
• The Death Penalty Revisited •
• What Is Ecological Economics •
• Eliminating Global Poverty •
• Global Warming... Calling for an Urgent and Ethical Response •
• God's Fool •
• Green Congretations - A Growing Movement •
• More Gun Control •
• Healing the Racial Divide •
• Speaking the Truth in Today's World Takes Courage •
• Justice and Compassion •
• Labor Issues and the Catholic Church •
• Is More Consumer Spending the Answer? •
• Moving from A Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace •
• Preaching Justice & Moving from Violence to Peace •
• MULTICULTURALISM – A GIFT AND A CHALLENGE •
• OF TITLES AND TITTLES •
• Reaching For the Stars - Brenda Walsh •
• A Call To Reduce Prison Population •
• The Relationship Between Labor And the Catholic Church •
• Sermon On Domestic Violence •
• Sustainability •
• The Death Penalty •
• The New Economy Movement •
• The Role of Ethical Standards... •
• War Is Not the Answer •
• Witnesses To Hope •