Upside of the Downturn

Don't get me wrong, I know there is a huge cost to the economic downturn in this country. My state (MA) is on fire right now for the budget cuts that are underway--why is it always cut from the people that need it most--but I am trying to look at the other side of the coin, too. I really think America needed a swift kick in the ass. The current economic model we function under is dysfunctional! We have left the markets to a group of elite men that have squandered the money in an endless war, insecure ventures, and taken huge bonuses when the average person can not pay their heating bills.
Everyone is shouting that we are becoming socialists but in my opinion, is that such a terrible thing?! The current capitalistic view we have applied is not working: our global reputation is shot, we can not take care of people in need in our own country, and we are supporting oil companies that are robbing us blind. Why is a little regulation with banks such a bad thing...it is obvious that they can not function without it. The government now has an ownership in 8 US banks and there are plenty of people freaking out that that is the end of American capitalism and freedom.
I have to laugh in a way because these same people sit on their hands when in Ireland when the Parliament tried to cut pensions, were bombarded by thousands of elderly, forcing them to change the model, as they realized they were functioning under the American economic model, and abandoning the social aspect of their economic model.
It breaks my heart that so many people are struggling in this country, including myself, but I also think that it is time for us to look at our priorities. There is such a huge demand for low prices in this country, yet we tend to forget that there is ALWAYS a price for this low cost: either human costs in production or environmental costs in transport or disposal of waste. It is a shitty situation because we need the lower prices but at the same time, need to be better consumers. And, then I have to ask, do we NEED all the things that we have?! When Ava goes to friends' houses, I am amazed and apalled at how much stuff these kids have, it is ridiculous. We have been trained to want and to spend, no matter the personal cost or global cost. For God's sake, some people function on the cost of a cup of coffee in other countries. So, I guess what I'm saying is I think it is time to reevaluate our spending culture. This is a personal issue for me because both of my parents are compulsive spenders and it was a learned behaviour growing up. I thought buying THINGS made me happier, but having kids simultaneously shrinking my bank account, has made me realize what is really important in my life. I am in no way sitting upon my moral high horse here, and I know I am preaching to the choir, but the recent events in my life has forced me to look at things differently.
If you've read this far, thanks for listening to my musings...have a good day, mamas.