But Nothing Day

Foil Stafford Argument Analysis Imagine, a day in the great United States of America where absolutely no goods are sold nor purchased, in order to increase the awareness of the people about overconsumption. This is supposed to be an innovative way to expose environmental as well as ethical consequences due to consumerism, however this stance would fail horribly and should not be considered. Could one fathom having all choices guided by the candid government. America does not have an all controlling government simply because there is no need for one.

The United States should not implement an annual Buy Nothing Day because the government was not formed to control the citizens’ on their moral or selfish problems. Establishing an annual Buy Nothing Day does not leave room for exceptions. If someone is out of gas then they can not get to work. If someone is in desperate need of food they might steal. Americas strongest yet weakest asset is its economy, so with it in a constant fluctuation, why interfere with its natural processes.

Ultimately, a Buy Nothing Day will solve nothing because majority of the participants will not know the cause. Not to mention, it would be virtually impossible for everyone to be on the same accord, so trying to advocate this idea could potentially lead to violence. Hypothetically speaking, say a Buy Nothing Day was attempted in the United States, it would more than likely be boycotted against. For example, during the Progressive Era, alcohol was banned by legislation so prohibition was boycotted. Instead of people not drinking, Americans drank more than when it was allowed.

So, in correlation with prohibition, a Buy Nothing Day would increase spending either day before or after, resulting in a spike of consumerism than a normal day, contradicting the original purpose of Buy Nothing day. In retrospect, even if the country refrained from buying on the mandated day, eventually consumerism would occur without buying things on that specific date because consumers will buy on a need-based timeline. As citizens we are still capable of audaciously driving to work instead of taking public transportation, or pass up water for an ice cold soft drink.

One cannot assume that a Buy Nothing Day will, in any significant way, affect Americas pattern of overconsumption. Individuals and organizations who are for the Buy Nothing Day believe that it would show the American people the value of a dollar. Well, while this may be true for those who have money, what about the people who on a daily basis undergo a “Buy Nothing” phase because they can not afford to purchase goods regardless? They say that it will promote consumerism as an excessive part of American lives so people will not buy.

The process of informing consumers might work temporarily, but when it comes down to it people will do what they want to do. Finally, conservationists state that the plan would do nothing but make the United States more of a discipline nation, plus a plethora of European countries do it. Nevertheless, how many countries can say they are thriving like America? Not that many, plus a nation wants its people to spend money because that helps the economy flourish. If people stop spending money the economy plummets.

Also, what if this one day thing, turned into a mass movement and people partook in it for multiple months. It spells nothing but catastrophic. In conclusion, economic stability strengthens nativism and spending hard earned riches makes them an even stronger nation. Consumerism may be an issue in today’s society but a Buy Nothing Day would essentially skyrocket consumerism, making the point completely worthless. America is a strong united nation as is, and with the program put in place or not, it will remain that way.