Seriously, I know I might sound like I sit on my high horse, and rant and rave about how to live a sustainable, just life.  But I only share with you what I feel are points that fall on my lap, and serve to prove the premise that I believe so soundly supports the conclusions.

I received an email from Sallie Mae (the governmental division securing education loans).  My education was paid for by loans.  Some private and some from the government.  I pay on time, and responsible and grateful for the opportunity to get and education that affords me the ability to do what I do.

But this is ridiculous.  This email (the photo of the attachment in the email is above), basically advocates that you need to shop to reduce your loans.  The first line in the email sums it up:

“Loans helped pay for college.  Now shopping can help pay down the loans”.

This reminds me of how President Bush was asked how the nation can cope with the devastation of September 11th, and his response was “shop… go shopping”.  Is this really what we have become?  Have you been to a mall recently?  People in malls crack me up… the entire idea of a mall cracks me up.  A totally inefficient structure that using mass energy, mass resources, so you can walk, waste time and shop.  Get more stuff.  Change your wardrobe every season.

So now our shopping and consumer addiction has permeated into our education system.  We are indirectly advocating that financing for an education will be provided, and and you will rewarded if shop by reducing the debt.  Nothing mentioned about reducing your debt if you perform well, if you make the deans list, if you innovate a new chemical composition, or a surgical technique… even if you get a Nobel Prize!  Nothing… just if you shop, we will reduce your loans.  This is sad.

I think I’m onto something though… I’m going to buy A LOT of the items on the list, and then sell them on eBay… so in essence pay of my loans for free.

One of the books that I advocate every one of you pick up and read is Bill McKibben’s “The Age of Missing Information”.  This book is will give you a new perspective on TV and consumerism and the American way of life.  The link is included in my books tab.  When you buys books from Amazon on this tab I think you get a little discount.  Regardless, you should read the books on this reading list.  I have read them and advocate others do as well.  I intend on eventually having my entire library on this section.

So for now, keep shopping.