Living with less money

[A Theist]

I don't really understand the opposition that some of the left-wing people on these boards have against living with less money. Sometimes when I point out that Americans, almost across the boards economically, are capable of living with less than they currently have I have been viciously (and sometimes personally) attacked. The fact is that the poor in this country have a living standard that would be considered absurdly good in most countries. The fact that our 'poor' tend towards obesity should speak to the fact that everyone can live with less. I personally have lived on 3000 dollars a year for the last 4 years. If you own a car, I really can't consider you poor.

At one point in the 60's there was a large segment of liberal thought that said we should live with less, but today the reverse it true. The idea that people should live simply is out the window and everything is about money, how much money everyone has and how to get other peoples money, and how the underclasses would be happier if only they have a little bit more money. Meanwhile the western lifestyle destroys the environment, causes wars across the world, and ultimately doesn't make anyone happy. If you are unhappy with the money that you have, more is not going to make you happier. We need to switch our mentality to living with less. Eventually we will have to anyway, as the environment and economy both collapse. It's time to shift our mentality, get rid of our cars and learn to live within our means.

Edit: Just realized that it's Black Friday, please don't go out and buy a bunch of worthless shit that you don't need.

Can't say that I agree a lot with what you posted, but unlike the left-wingers on these boards I'm not going to viciously and personally attack you just because we disagree on a few things here, (and I know exactly what you're talking about). I know that you've posted some things about your lifestyle that shows you personally can live on less money and be happy and contented. You also make a good point about living within our means and that if our economy collapses some of us aren't going to be as prepared to meet that challenge in a way that you've accustomed yourself to. On the other hand, for myself, I would rather have the extra money and enjoy it while I still can. It would also be nearly impossible for me to get rid of my vehicle since my occupation demands the use of a pick-up truck. Somewhere there has to be a happy medium between the two lifestyles here.