Thanksgiving Greed

I am so sick of hearing people complain about the greed of the retailers that planned to open on Thanksgiving Day that I am ready to upchuck turkey, dressing, and both helpings of pumpkin pie. It should be intuitively obvious to even the most casual observer that retailers are not in business to reverse global warming, or cure world hunger, or any of those feel-good things.  To think otherwise is silly.  Retailers are in business for one reason; to make a profit by providing goods and services that consumers demand at as low a cost as possible.  So why would a retailer open on Thanksgiving Day?  Two words: consumer demand.

Retailers, competing for dwindling shopping dollars, are willing to open on Thanksgiving in order to maximize profits or minimize losses. But in order to make money, these retailers must know that shoppers will be there to spend money.  An empty store costs them money.  Obviously, they know the shoppers will show, but how do they know?  It’s all about supply and demand.  Consumers demand and businesses supply.  No demand and the stores would remain closed on Thanksgiving.

Think about the number of people that have camped out for days waiting for the stores to open on Black Friday.  How many people showed up at midnight on Thanksgiving night when stores opened to get that “killer” bargain, waiting all day in line to be the first in the store?  In each case, the shoppers decided that the “bargain” was more important than time with family and friends, or giving thanks for the many blessings, big and small, that have been bestowed upon them.

Some will argue that the bargain is too good to pass up.  Chances are that the product will be priced the same as it was back in August.  But on Black Friday, the special price on that XboxOne or 50” TV for the five or ten items the store was able to procure, will attract consumers to the store.  However, the bulk of them will be disappointed that “supplies are limited.”

The retailers who intend to open on Thanksgiving aren’t greedy; it’s the consumers who are willing to shop on the day of thanks that are greedy.  When family, friends, or giving thanks take a backseat to the latest “must-have”, society, as a whole, suffers. Chasing after that bargain may provide instant gratification, but what’s left when the newness has worn off or the next “greatest thing” comes along?  Instead of shopping on Thanksgiving, invest your time in strengthening relationships with family and friends.  Or invest in something bigger than you, volunteer to help serve Thanksgiving dinner at a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen.  The experience will help you remember the meaning of thanks-giving.

Happy Veteran's Day

I had the privilege of attending the Veteran’s Day parade in my town.  I was pleased with the number of people who attended the parade and the number of participants (the parade lasted nearly two hours).  There were veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  There were wounded warriors riding in Corvettes, Patriot Guard riders, and Rolling Thunder riders (POW/MIA advocates), high school and college marching bands, and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps contingents from every high school in the county. It’s nice to see the people show their appreciation for the veterans and their service.

An especially poignant moment for me occurred when a Vietnam veteran, riding on one of the floats, stood, saluted the elderly World War II veteran standing nearby, and thanked him for his service.  Many other veterans stopped by to shake the gentleman’s hand and thank him.  I was impressed at the humility of these veterans, gladly thanking others for the same type of service they themselves had rendered for their country.

After the parade, I overheard a conversation between two gentlemen wearing cavalry Stetsons. One had been in the 7^th Cavalry Regiment during Vietnam and the other had been in the 6^th Cavalry Regiment during Operation Desert Storm.  Although they were two strangers from different generations, these men were soon laughing and trading stories as if they were long lost friends.

As I thought about it afterwards, I came to the realization that the men and women who served our country were part of something much bigger than themselves and they have a kinship with others who have also served.  To them, race and religion don’t matter, only integrity and trustworthiness.

This month is the 50^th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination.  Many forgot his inaugural address, where he challenged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”  These veterans did for their country, just as Kennedy challenged.  But we live in a time where far too many are asking what the country can do for them.  It’s time we do as these veterans have done and do for our country.

I’m not suggesting that we all volunteer for military service.  But, we can all volunteer for community service.  Help out at a soup kitchen, deliver meals to shut-ins, or work with youth at a Boys or Girls Club or a scouting program.  Volunteer to help with after-school tutoring or be a story-time reader at the local library.  There are so many things we can and should do to give back to our country.  At the same time, you’ll become part of something much bigger than yourself.

I wish I could shake the hand of each and every veteran, those who have served and those still serving.  If we truly want to honor their service and sacrifice, follow their lead and do for our country.