Slap Yourself in the Face and Go Shopping

As Cher said when she slapped Nicolas Cage in Moonstruck, “What’s the matter with you?” This financial crisis or Armageddon or whatever you want to call it, has everybody shaking like a bunch of scared mice. Like much of the country, I have little understanding of how this mess was made but I do have a solution for how to get out of it—GO SHOPPING! If people start spending again, jobs will be preserved, spending indicators will go up making everyone on Wall Street happy, PM’s and Presidents won’t come on TV looking ragged and weary every night, and life will return to normal.

So, grab that DSW coupon—those Boho boots look cool—or head over to Sears and treat yourself to that snow blower you should have bought years ago, or go to Staples and buy some office supplies. Help save the world economy, buy something, quick.

Comments I've received so far by email:

1. genius.

2. Nice sentiment. I would add that if you must go shopping, go shopping for
art. Who needs a snow blower when you can buy a great water color or
photograph by a local artist for half the price (and the artwork doesn't
have to be in the garage unused half the year.)

3. You sound like Georgie W!

4. Hi Molly, I was wondering...could you lend me the money for that snow blower I have
wanted for years? Hee hee

5. Be sure to buy it local!

6. hey where do i get that dsw coupon!!!!! horray for shoes

7. Just bought a new Delsey light weight carry on and am going to Tanger Mall tomorrow.

8. Great idea to get everyone to go shopping - but, what if you're one of those that are so hard hit that you can't go shopping just for the fun of it? In fact, I love Sears, but, I'm squeezing pennys to just buy snow tires for this Winter.. enough about me though... although Sears is one of the few big stores I do like to support, did you now that the sales tax we pay at big stores like Walmart, Home Depot and a few others, doesn't go back into the local economies like they promise? Nope, it goes back to the store, (like Walmart), (part of the big corporation tax breaks) - and they put that towards making more big Walmart stores, etc.... ( I heard this from a US, IRS/ financial analysist on VPR,) and I'm sure if we do some homework, we'll find it's true - one reason why Walmart is a muti-million dollar corporation. So, I propose that people shop not only at Sears and Staples, but, think about where they buy - and buy local, support small businesses instead - like that little office/stationary shop in the neighborhood, or family hardware, clothing shop, etc... and don't forget your artists! Instead of buying xmas cards from Walmart- buy them from artists, craftshops, galleries and art shows instead. Have a great week and happy art and photography to all!

9. is this said in jest? are you serious? part of the large-scale problem is that consumers purchased things they coudn't afford, namely mortgages. and there is blame to share all around. banks should have been far more diligent in examining loan applications. financial responsibility makes more sense right now.