The Hidden Costs of Consumption

Now that Halloween has come and gone, it's officially the Holiday Season.  A season full of conspicuous consumption.  A season where we all fall victim to "needing" to buy things - as gifts for others, as decor for our homes, as wardrobe for a fancy party, and the list goes on.

So much of what we buy these days comes from overseas.  These products are generally significantly cheaper than items made here in the U.S. of A.  Many of these companies aren't restricted by minimum wage and worker's rights laws, and environmental protection often doesn't even exist.

I came across this pictorial the other day, and really wanted to share it with you.  Photos like these rarely make it into the mainstream news-cycle.  But they should.

Please, take a few minutes to view these beautifully powerful photos.  And next time you're at your Big Box Store of choice, about to throw another disposable plastic whosit, whatsit, or bauble into your cart, remember these photos.