Shopping at home

That's right folks. Celebrate the true meaning of the holidays by wasting your money on useless junk and following the rest of the sheep.

Which "local" merchants are you speaking of?

You mean all the national chain stores that people line up to at 3 AM so they can fight a bunch of other idiots over a TV that will be cheaper in 2 weeks anyway?

Here's an idea... Why not take that money and buy food for a soup kitchen, take some baby clothes to the women's shelter, and stay home with your family and teach them that there's more to life than shopping.

Ya had me with "you are supporting local merchants and the local economy" and "You are providing jobs for hundreds of friends and neighbors.". A swell of holiday spirit and local patriotism washed over me.

Could've done without "And you are, indirectly, contributing to the funding of essential services provided by local governments." Pffffffft - so much for that good feeling.

Eh, suggest the contributions are DIRECTLY contributing to the funding, at a rate of $7.975 per $100 of merchandise being collected and forwarded to the state ($4.225), the county ($1.00), and the city of Cape ($2.75). Every $125.39 worth of stuff bought results in a tacked-on $10.00 total 'contribution' surcharge.

Further suggest that the funding of non-essential services, such as water parks and golf courses, are also being 'contributed' to. Double-secret Bah-humbug!

Hmmm, now of course, looking at this from another perspective - for every $100 saved on mark-downs, loss leaders, and similar specials - makes for $7.975 which won't be contributed, indirectly or otherwise, totalling near $108 in personal savings. Ah, now I'm feeling that holiday spirit returning! The more spent on sale items, the more saved on these governmental 'contributions'. Where's my plastic? :-)~

Hey the_eye, I think they were trying to suggest that we buy some meat from Schnucks and go see a band at the Rude Dog...wink,wink,nudge,nudge.

The eye doesn't work at that store anymore.