Back
 OALibJ  Vol.1 No.8 , November 2014
Consumerism in American Society and the Role of Government
Fred Bedell
Show more
Abstract: This essay speaks to the fact that the United States is a consumptive society, as we are dependent on producers to provide the goods and services necessary to maintain our daily living requirements. It addresses a correlation between historical policies and presents events and practices that continue to undermine public policies that benefit the consumer. Most importantly, the role of government is to provide health and safety for the population and protect it from a corrupt political system that places us at risk for the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Mike Leibovich in his book “This Town” refers to Washington DC as the “Gilded Capital,” because in his view there is an incestuous relationship among the law firms, politicians, media, and lobbying firms whose agendas are not often in the public’s interest. We will examine in detail three areas—food, health care, and the counterfeiting of goods—that are of paramount interest to the nation and examples of the point of the essay.
Keywords: Consumerism, Role of Government, Corrupt System and Politicians, Health, Generically Modified Foods (GM), Affordable Care Act (ACA), Consumptive Society, Corporate Influence over the Legislature, Health Care Reform, Counterfeit Goods
Cite this paper: Bedell, F. (2014) Consumerism in American Society and the Role of Government. Open Access Library Journal, 1, 1-9. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1100971.
References

[1]   Circa (2000) Tufts University Global and Environmental Institute.

[2]   Vance, P. (1960) The Waste Makers. IG Publishing, Brooklyn.

[3]   Bedell, F. (2013) Consumerism in American Society and the Role of Government. Self Publication.
www.delgpublishing.com

[4]   Bacevich, A. (2008) The Limits of Power. Henry Holt and Company, LLC, NY.

[5]   Friedman, T. (2013) Diet Coke Culture. New York Times, March.

[6]   Bedell, F. (2013) Historical Illiteracy. Self Publication.
www.delgpublishing.com

[7]   Leibovich, M. (2014) This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral—Plus, Plenty of Valet Parking!—In America’s Gilded Capital. Penguin Group (USA) LLC, NY.

[8]   Link TV (2012) Interview with Dave Bollier. This Land Is Our Land.

[9]   (2013) Interview with Robert Kennedy III. Tavis Smiley Telecast.

[10]   (2012) Citizens United Act. The Nation Magazine.

[11]   Moyers, B. (2012) TV Journal Telecast. ALEC.

[12]   Lakoff, G. (2013) The Little Blue Book: The Essential Guide to Thinking and Talking Democratic. Simon and Schuster, New York.

[13]   Wikipedia.

[14]   Moyers, B. (2013) TV Journal Telecast, Interview with Wendell Berry.

[15]   Bachelder, K. (2014) Meet Mr. Franken Food. Wall Street Journal, 5-6 July 2014.

[16]   Taylor, J. and Stites, J.D. (2014) Health Care Reform: From Truman to Obama. Becker’s Hospital Review, 11 February 2014.

[17]   Gilbert, D. (2013) Getting Ready for the Affordable Health Act. Arizona Republic, September 2013.

[18]   Moyers, B. (2013) TV Journal Telecast, Interview with Heather Gergen.

[19]   McGinty, J.C. (2014) For Health Law’s Vitals, Look beyond Sign-Up. Wall Street Journal, 4 July 2014.

[20]   Bustillos, M. (2014) Easy Chair—Fill in the Gaps. Harper Magazine, May 2014.

[21]   Davidson, A. (2013) Who Is Betting on Obamacare. New York Times Magazine, 30 October 2013.

[22]   Link TV (2014) Counterfeit Culture.

 
 
Top