The Epidemic of Affluenza is Sweeping Through America

An epidemic is sweeping all through America. This epidemic has affected just about every individual in America. Millions could be diagnosed with it yet they do not realize they have it. It is changing the everyday thoughts and actions of those with it. It damages all individuals who let it consume them. It is nearly impossible to cure. Medication is useless against it. There is not outright proven immunity to prevent one from receiving this nasty disease. It can cause symptoms such as stress, overwork, waste, desperation, emptiness, and recklessness to name a few. What is this ravaging disease? Affluenza, “the bloated, sluggish, and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts” to pursue all happiness with wealth and material items (Introduction). People who have affluenza are obsessed with obtaining more wealth and material items, unfulfilled with the things they have, yet are damaged mentally in a way that is hard to heal.

To start, everyone who is affluent becomes obsessed with pursuing money and material items in order to obtain happiness and satisfaction. The large majority of people in the U.S. are buying more and more stuff each year. Source E states that the “Per capita consumption in the United States has increased 45 percent in the past twenty years.” This large increase proves the desire for new items is sharply increasing. The majority of the U.S. is very affluent according to this statistic. The majority has become ultimately obsessed with obtaining more items. They believe “’just a little bit more’ will finally buy happiness” (Source E). The affluent continually infatuate wealth and material items in order to fulfill this happiness. However, the sad truth is, money cannot buy happiness. Source F ...

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... a way, they do not deserve the same consequences as the rest of the majority. They have put themselves above the majority of Americans. Anyone who places themselves above the majority are damaged. “All Men are created equal” (Jefferson et, al.). All should face the same consequences regardless of how much wealth they own. Anyone who believes otherwise is psychologically damaged. Affluenza has not only been obsessive and unfulfilling but has left a large amount of people damaged emotionally and mentally.

In conclusion, Affluenza has created a large impact on many individuals by perpetuating an unfulfilling and damaging obsession. This epidemic has spread to unsafe levels and affects so many people. It has become nearly impossible to rid oneself of this ravaging disease for it can consume one’s mind and soul. Affluenza can only break the dreams of happiness.