Spend, Not Save. It’s The American Way

Some insights of why savers are often punished while spenders are rewarded are discussed by Robert J. Shiller, professor of economics and finance at Yale, in this New York Times article:

The United States, however, is something of an exception. More than any other country, Professor Garon argues, it elevates consumer spending to a virtue, sometimes minimizing saving. There is even an idea here that it is patriotic to spend, rather than to save.