My passion will not be interrupted by collective misery

Why do Americans travel?

In a recent survey taken by American Express Travel, 87% of respondents indicate taking trips for the pursuit of personal passions will continue or even increase over the next two years despite economic conditions.

One's 'personal passion' should not be hampered by an economic recession. To be concerned with or have the ability to indulge one's 'personal passion' in the form of elective travel while a nation's economy points toward collapse is a mark of wealth.

With wealth, the individual has the power to choose. The act of choosing, albeit in the form of negative freedom, is a hallmark of elite culture. They project this and believe that everyone has an equal freedom to make choices.

So what do wealthy Americans primarily choose as their motive for travel?

42% choose destinations for culinary reasons

Food. Exotic food.

Most people expressed they are also willing to spend more money and stay longer for vacations that further their personal dreams.

Again there is talk of dreams. Personal dreams. Dreaming that is not futile as has the potential to be realized is more probable with money and therefore is the property of our wealthiest citizens.

For the rest of us, we are left with the real.

From: http://www.luxist.com/2008/08/14/personal-passions-fuel-getaway-plans/

The Level Playing Field

The members of the upper classes should feel the same pride in their achievements as Barry Bonds does about his home run record.  

The lower classes should feel that they are Herny Aaron, Roger Maris, and Babe Ruth in contrast.

Don't get too close to my fantasy

A synopsis of the forthcoming television show, Privileged.

Twenty-three year-old Megan Smith has a Yale education, a relentlessly positive attitude and a plan to conquer the world of journalism, despite the fact that she is currently slaving away at a tabloid rag.

Megan's plan is thrown off course when, in one whirlwind day, she gets fired, meets cosmetics mogul Laurel Limoges and becomes the live-in tutor for Laurel's twin teen granddaughters in the heady Palm Beach world of wealth and power.

Acquiring access to wealth in America has to be predicated on a fantasy. In this case, it is a "whirlwind day" - think tornado in the Wizard of Oz. An incredible event that takes the protagonist out of her mundane world (the domain of workers) and inserts her into a world of adventure (the domain of rulers). Even so, she remains a servant.

The girls, Rose and Sage, are beautiful, rebellious and less-than-thrilled with their new tutor, but Megan is determined to win them over as she enjoys the perks of her new job - breathtaking private suite, gorgeous convertible and live-in chef Marco.

Rebelling against what, exactly? The confines of their upper class life? The authority of a someone who is beneath their status being in charge of their education? I doubt it's truly a rebellion. More likely, it is a reaction.

And the chef is not white.

Despite her own complicated romantic and family relationships, Megan is committed to making a difference in the lives of her two headstrong charges as she navigates the treacherous waters of high society in Palm Beach.

It is the duty of the lower classes to educate and change the amoral, sociopathic, narcissistic individualism that is inherent in the wealthy, or so the narrative goes. To believe in the possibility of a spontaneous change in the values of the wealthy - or any class - is probably naive.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privileged_(TV_series)

It's not an accessory; it's a lifestyle.

Hand-wringing is currently going on at luxury bag manufacturers.

Luxury handbag maker Coach came in with relatively strong numbers for their fiscal fourth quarter but are still feeling gloomy. Although Coach's fourth quarter profit rose 33% the company has predict that the continued consumer cautiousness in the U.S. will reach well into 2009.

Does this type of cautiousness differ in kind or degree when compared to the cautiousness displayed by the American consumer who moves from cheddar cheese to American cheese to nothing?

Coach joins other retailers in predicting reduced spending even among luxury shoppers.

When the superfluous cannot be moved, a principle feature of capitalism is in peril.

Chief Executive Lew Frankfort said in an interview that the company will introduce products with higher material and labor costs at prices lower than they would have charged during more rosy economic times.

Will the laborers who are increasing their workload see any increase in their wages? Or is it piecemeal? Or, more likely, will their increased effort be rewarded with decreasing wages because of the unfortunate "fluctuation" in the market?

From: http://www.luxist.com/2008/07/29/coach-predicts-tough-times-ahead/