This is a beautifully written piece that draws on many issues that plague our society today. As much as I hate to grade it low in the area of balance, I find that I must do so because it does not include the radical right’s response which I could write because I’ve discussed these kinds of issues with members of their group. They are the cynical who decry every idea that smacks of “bleeding heart” sympathy. I believe those alternate views need to be heard; if for nothing more than to expose how disgusting they are to those of us who believe in the substance of this article.

I used to think I was one of the few people who was totally sick of the xmas shopping mania but lately the blessed virus seems to be spreading throughout the land. I caught the anti-xmas consumer madness virus from years of having to work in retail stores at Christmastime. Rev. Billy and his Church of Stop Shopping is right on -- you don't need half the stuff you already got. Give some of that stuff to someone at Christmas. They'll be happy to get something for nothing and you'll be happy to get rid of some of the junk that's plugging up your life and consciousness.

"Frail holiday trees" with only "modest" gifts for their greedy little brats? Boo Hoo Hoo. Maybe if they hadn't HELOC'ed their "equity" to buy that Hummer, they wouldn't be awaiting a court order removing them from "their" house. As for giving the baby the only loaf of bread for Christmas? Overwrought in the extreme. This isn't even good parody.