This Will Not Be Popular: Raise Prices on Memorial Day
I was looking over my email today (and for the past few days) at the number of sales and promotions being offered this Memorial Day Week-end. Similar offers appeared in the local and national newspapers. Television ads touted discounts too, especially for appliances and televisions. Sales are everywhere. Just walk by store windows in any neighborhood.
I am not sure how a holiday to celebrate those who gave their lives turned into a large-scale week-end for family shopping to save money. Perhaps it is because people have time off work and can shop. So, we remember the Fallen by falling all over ourselves to get a good deal or two or three. I get the need for family time. I get the need to save money.
But sales, at least to me, seem oxymoronic on Memorial Day. How about self-reflection? How about considering the lives of the Veterans who survived and are struggling with health issues and homelessness and suicide? How about traveling to Memorials or other sacred locations to reflect on the values that are exhibited by giving your life to protect others?
So, that got me thinking. What if we did the opposite of a sale each Memorial Day? What if we raised prices? Then, the added revenue would be aggregated and distributed to Veterans in need and to families of deceased soldiers who are struggling. We could accomplish these funds this at a local, state and federal level. And, what if we discarded sales taxes for a day to augment the purchases and the added revenue?
This isn't exactly Robin Hood, robbing from the rich to give money to the poor. No. It is pausing and using our Holiday and our money to celebrate those who gave their lives for ours. And, imagine if prices were increased 10% and then that 10% or even more, depending on the stores, were put to good use --- helping soldiers and survivors.
I get it. Everyone wants their washing machine. Perhaps that can happen but not today. Everyone enjoys a cook-out and family time together. But, might we change the culture of this "holiday" and return it to its roots -- A Day of Remembrance and Thanks? And then, we can spend our hard earned dollars to help those who gave their lives and limbs and hearts so all of us can live in freedom.
I know. This reverses what we do now. It changes the paradigm and the Memorial Day spending/saving culture. Is that change such a bad idea given the state of our world? Make a difference in a new way. Buying for those in need or who served and now can't meet their own needs or those of their families. And, it could pay for families separated by distance to fly in to be together.
Ponder the idea. We put roses on every tombstone at Arlington Cemetery. This would be another collective act.
Anyone else think this idea has merit?