<p>Turbo…Extreme consumerism does not only apply to those making $250k a year. I see it in new college grads lucky enough to have very good jobs, and in family members who are not making anywhere near that salary. The American Dream needs to be reevaluated where we decide what is important to each of us on a personal level. For me, it was educating my kids and providing a nice home in a nice community so that my kids could benefit from not only our own values, but also those who share like thinking. We did not buy the biggest house in our nice town but it is a lovely home that we enjoy. What we have noticed this past decade is that people have an attitude that they and their children deserve to have everything they want simply because they are entitled to it. The expensive cars, homes, vacations, clothes, and entertainment is only the tip of the iceberg. This is how Americans define the American lifestyle. This is not how immigrants define their place in America as new citizens. This has nothing to do with “enjoying the finer things in life” it has to do with attitude and values. What is important to some is not important to others. I prefer to not owe money to credit card companies or banks, and I enjoy the feeling of not owing money if I could do without some things to pay cash for others. </p>
<p>When the new immigrants who are educated, and hard working arrive in this country they don’t come here expecting to buy the biggest and best of everything. They save money and they work long hours and they set a standard for how they expect their children to live and work. Once they have a comfortable nest egg they buy their homes. That is an admirable way to live especially since we are seeing our economy is such distress.</p>