The Fall of Western Civilization

My family recently received a Costco catalog for Costco.com Spring 2009 for instant online savings. Being a regular shopper at Costco who frequently uses the coupons they send for in store usage I was interested in what they had to offer. Among the usual assortment of furniture and electronics I spotted a 'Fully Automatic Espresso Machine' which you could receive, including delivery, for ONLY $899.99 plus applicable sales tax I am sure.

As soon as I saw this item I started scratching my head, how much do you have to enjoy your espresso to pay $900 to have a maker in your own home? I reread the offering to see if there was some indication it was a commercial model for your neighborhood coffee store but they really don't give complete descriptions in the catalog so maybe this is the reasoning - maybe not.

I started looking at the catalog to see what I could 'get' for my money. How about a springfree trampoline with all the safety features for your children to play on? That is only $800 delivered. So hours of pleasure, enjoyment and supposed safety for my children is $100 less then an espresso maker. A 46" TV was $700, $200 less and clearly something I would utilize way too much. A laptop for $580 where I could run my new online business, manage my finances, read the news and twitter away hours, an elliptical machine for $1000 that could extend my life if I ever got on it and so on.

The causes of our nations economic plight are many and varied but the availability of an Espresso Maker to sit on my counter and collect dust for $900 highlights to me the extravagance and waste of our time. I have to assume Costco believes this items will sell since they aren't a speciality store with one of a kind unique items, this stuff is for the masses.

If you are considering purchasing this item please reconsider, there are families losing their homes and going hungry right down the street. Poverty and disease are endemic in many regions of the world. How much value will you get out of a $900 espresso machine (don't forget you need supplies to actually make the espresso) versus the assistance that money could provide others not as fortunate?