Americans always had the “bigger is better” attitude. At the end of the 20th century the mentality that was pervasive through all aspects of society seemed to grow by leaps and bounds. Super size meals, 4500 sq ft houses for a family of three, and massive vehicles served as constant reminders of how American citizens were following the excess lifestyle.

The perfect example of this unsustainable lifestyle was the Hummer brand.

As General Motors limped into government bankruptcy, the company looked to reduce their product line in the hopes of finding a way of surviving after bankruptcy came to an end. Pontiac got the axe. Saturn was almost sold off; however, the deal fell apart, leading GM to pull the plug on the brand. Saab was sold off to a small Swedish company, and General Motors pushed off Hummer to a Chinese based heavy equipment manufacturing firm.

On Friday, October 9th, 2009, the deal finally closed.

What has taken place with the Hummer brand is a perfect example what is happening to the United States in general. American excess lead to an unsustainable lifestyle and, as a result, others are picking up our former assets for pennies on the dollar because our economy can no longer support itself.

While I only started blogging once again in August, I’ve had a number of posts that I am very, very proud of. SixUntilMe did a year end round up and I thought, you know, that is a great idea.

Here are the posts I am most proud of – by month.

August – e*trade Bank – Think Long and hard before you use them

September – When did obesity become an epedemic?

October – America the beautiful

November (4) - It’s not about you, Thought experiment – Let’s say Gerald Celente is right, I will miss him, The “Right and Wrong” Paradox

December (3) - Thinking about the happiest time in my life, Why do we feel this way, I have a problem with this “reporting” from the AP

Thanks for joining me on this journey…

The United States of America is a stunningly beautiful country. Be it visiting a national park, going to this nation’s capital, stopping over in a city like Chicago, or simply driving through the countryside, visitor and citizens alike are surrounded by beauty.

Yes, the United States lacks the 1000 year history, and the sights that go alone with such a history, but there is so much beauty to experience regardless of that fact one could easily get lost in what America has to offer.

As I was eating lunch I did a bit of “people watching”. Business folk, students and travelers alike scurried around downtown. Some strictly focused on their next destination, others enjoying what the city had to offer. What disturbed me, however, was the fact that tourists mainly flocked to this…

Cameras were snapping away around this bronze-esque Ronald McDonald statue at the Rock n’ Roll McDonalds so quickly one would have thought the makeuped, hamburger slinging, man was there himself.

Is this what the American legacy will be? Are we relegated to being remembered for our crappy pop culture and fast food? Some part of me wanted to go up to the tourists and say something, anything, simply to have them go experience the true cultural experience the city has to offer.

That said, who am I to say anything about how individuals enjoy themselves – I am no one. Make no mistake about, they were enjoying the experience, and they could be / could have visited the wonderful sights of this city and nation, but I found it rather disturbing to think the United States maybe viewed as a cheesy wonderland where all we have to offer is fast food icons and disposable memories when this land has so much more to offer.