Consummate Consumer

"Everything's provided, consummate consumer," sings Regina Spektor in her song "Machine." Sure, maybe it's a bit to much to suggest a consumer consummates in some form or another with commodities, but it gets the point across. If you consider the word as an adjective, then it shouldn't leave such a bad taste in your mouth: as an adjective it means showing a high degree of skill or flair; and complete or perfect.

Either way, I think Regina Spektor is right on. Lot's of people, especially conservative pundits and others like to talk about how "the US is a Christian nation." And then they talk about the Puritans and so on. Well, even if the nation really is or was like they say, it has been replaced by a sort of religious consumerism. And really in all kinds of senses.

People in the US love their cars, their iPhones, their flat-screens...I could go on but you can imagine the list. People may have once believed in a Christian god, but now it is overshadowed by the belief in this golden idol now known as commodities.

Even if you aren't a believer, this should bother you. Consumerism is the one religion we all participate in, we all work together to keep alive, and even something we all go to war for. Sound familiar?