[SustainableTompkins] economy based on frivolities?

[marlo capoccia]

i just read (skimmed, really) this article in the NYT and had a  
strange realization.  perhaps others have more substantial thoughts  
about this, but is it possible that our economy is based on buying  
crap?  by this i mean items with a short shelf life that will be  
replaced within a year.  food and fuel are items that will never go  
away (though they need to be addressed more thoughtfully), but the  
rest of our economy seems as if it's about getting "stuff."  (my  
husband would say "light dawns in marble head."  affectionately, of  
course.)

what happens to our economy when "stuff" is no longer constantly  
available?  what other models have been considered?  more local?   
alternative national economy? no wonder it's hard to wean ourselves  
from mindless buying.  i don't think the government is ready for us  
to do that yet.   i'm really curious about this.

-marlo
Marlo Capoccia
Garden Gate
www.gardengatedelivery.com