Shopping Fools

Congratulations to all the retail outlets on such a successful weekend. They are calling this past weekend Christmas in August. They say a normal August weekend might generate $150 million in sales and when all the numbers are tallied in a few weeks this could end up being the most profitable weekend of the year, beating the $500 million in sales that shops usually reap during the final weekend rush in late December. And it's going to top the $400 million mark achieved last year, the first year when the state suspended the 5 percent sales tax. The goal next year is to reach $1 billion - I know we can do it! We need to further help the global economy.

Our trade deficit continues to climb. Total June exports of $106.8 billion and imports of $165.6 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $58.8 billion. Our deficit with China alone is up 30%. What's a mere $58.8 billion among friends? When I was young, "Made in Japan" was a sign of an inferior product, now the inferior product is labeled 'Made in USA', that's if you can find any.

I find it amazing that all it took to mobilize thousands of people who would not normally be shopping on a hot August weekend was the mere dangling of a carrot that constituted just lifting the 5% sales tax. People are too lazy to return cans and bottles to collect 5 cents but will travel many miles to save 5 cents on the dollar. Wow!! Just think if I double the offer, I might be able to clear out a whole community. Very clever. It doesn't take much of an incentive to get people out to go shopping.

While most rejoiced, some retailers smirked at how many consumers were lured by savings that are modest compared with the discounts most stores offer on occasion. One store manager said he thinks people want to buy because they are saving money at the expense of the government. Well I hope you spent enough to cover the cost of the gas you consumed to get to the store. What the state lost in sales tax they recouped in gasoline taxes.

I would venture to say that more people were out shopping in one day than showed up to vote in the last major election. Maybe we should offer a tax free day voucher to all who vote, much like the 'get out of jail free' card that's used in the Monopoly board game. But this time raise the spending cap to $50,000. I'd like to buy one of those hybrid vehicles.

Governor you started a trend and you should take this one step further, since we don't have a holiday in August, declare the second Monday in August as a Shopping Holiday and extend the sales tax free days to three. I would like to get a jump on my Xmas shopping.

I am glad for the merchants and retailers who profited from the sales tax free shopping days. Now if the Mayor can only give some incentive for people to go and eat out in the North End, we could pacify many of the restaurant owners there who suffered a loss this weekend due to the unexpected power disruptions in the area. Tom, how about lifting the meals tax and giving everyone free parking for a week. Free cannoli's for all!

We truly are a nation of SHOPPING FOOLS! As they say on Seinfeld, 'Not that there's anything wrong with that.'