I only wish this were a funny or silly headline to grab reader’s attention, but it’s just been reported earlier today that a Wal-Mart employee has been trampled to death by shoppers rushing to take advantage of the Black Friday Christmas sales specials.

At the Wal-Mart at the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, N.Y. a crowd of people ‘ripped’ the doors off, in their excitement and rush to get to the merchandise within. Four other shoppers, including a 28 year old pregnant woman, were injured in the mob’s rush to get in the store.

Have we truly turned into such a consumer nation that we’re willing to literally kill to get a good deal? I’ve heard anecdotal reports for years of people getting into scuffles, and even fist-fights sometimes to get that ‘hot toy’ or ‘perfect gift’. They even made that somewhat abysmal movie ‘Jingle All The Way‘ where Arnold Schwarzenegger spends the entire movie trying to get the years’ ‘it’ toy for his son. For those not wanting to suffer through this movie, let’s just say that it didn’t work for him either. Presents are ok, but your children would much rather have your time than your stuff.

But back to the subject at hand. When I read this article originally, I was stunned. The only thing that came to mind is “What were they selling at that Wal-Mart that was worth stampeding a person to death for?” I can’t think of ANYTHING in this world, that would be worth stomping a person to death for.

I don’t imagine the customers waiting just outside the doors were thinking to themselves “I’m going to get that <insert item here> for Christmas, even if I have to kill someone”. But all the same, that’s what ended up happening. The mob mentality, coupled with the seasonal must-buy-perfect-gift fever co-mingled with deadly results.

It’s not like there’s a dearth of Wal-Marts around either. I can travel about 2 hours in any direction and hit at least 3-4 DIFFERENT stores. They’ve popped up like evil little mushrooms (or more accurately, like hurkin’ big box store mushrooms) all across the country. Sold out of whatever favorite goodie you want at one? Call the other half-dozen stores in the surrounding county, have them hold one of whatever for you, and drive 10-15 minutes to go get it. If that doesn’t work, check back in with them periodically until another of whatever it is you can’t live without comes in.

Take Ten Deep Breaths and Call Me in The Morning

People, relax! The rampant consumerism isn’t going to make the holidays any better. It’s just an attempt to fill that empty area in your heart with ’stuff’. And no matter how much ’stuff’ you try to put in there, it’s never going to work. Relax, and let sanity slip back into place.

Also, with the way the economy is now, shopping is way down. That means that there is more STUFF for those that are going to buy this year. The rest of us are going to do our best to just ’sit this one out’. It’s been predicted by most of the financial media that this is going to end up being one of the worst years for consumer spending in decades. So that’s a LOT of us sitting it out.

For everyone else that plans on splurging this season, Bon Appétit! We salute your individual attempt to infuse capital into our economic system, much like our government is attempting to do, to re-energize the market. We need to get the good little consumers back out on the streets moving that money around so things can get back to ‘normal’ again financially.

Personally? I’m hiding under the bed today until the sales are over.

Are you braving the Sales of Black Friday in search of Christmas goodies?? Leave us a comment and let us know!