There’s a serious lack of balance when it comes to consumerism these days, and that’s putting it mildly. From milk to bread, gasoline, cable television to the occasional cinematic outing, everything under the sun – as far as cost is concerned – is now on board an out-of-control rollercoaster, elevator, escalator or similar conveyance that, unfortunately, only goes up.

As a student, I was a mediocre economist at best. Let’s be honest, economy class had little chance (actually no chance at all) in the face of guitar, guitar and well, more guitar throughout my senior year of high school. But I did, and still do, understand the concept of supply and demand.

And that’s a big part of our problem at this point, worldwide. Hypothetically speaking, when, if ever, will supply truly outweigh demand as our population continues to grow, resources continue to dwindle and more and more people cease to care one way or the other?

These are tough questions, with even tougher answers awaiting us prior to an outcome we can neither imagine nor comprehend, in my opinion.

Collectively, we’re much like a young child who simply can’t understand why mom and dad can’t afford to buy a toy every time we visit the local department store, can’t swing that “name-brand” half-gallon of ice cream or fund a weekly trip to the nearest fast-food joint. It’s as if we feel entitled to, well, whatever we happen to want, whenever we happen to want it.