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Rick's Rants: Festivus Is On!

Christmas is past. The New Year has begun. If you're into celebrating everything, then Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also in your rear view mirror. But one holiday I'd like to celebrate all year long here on the blog is Festivus.

Any self-respecting Seinfeld fan will remember this made up holiday, in which the Costanzas gave up the trappings of Christmas and put up a Festivus Pole instead of a tree. They also had the airing of grievances, a special time when people told each other what they really thought.

It is in that spirit that I introduce a new series to my blog. I will rant, I will rave, I will tell you exactly what I think. Some topics will be serious, the others perhaps not so much. Hopefully you will be able to tell the difference before you post a comment that could leave me weeping bitterly.

To get us started, and since we're just now leaving the holidays, let's meet the first topic I'd like to go all rage against the machine on.

It's Christmas. Say what? Yes, Christmas!

Before you assume I'm a Grinch or really want to celebrate Festivus, allow me to clarify. Some people say they want to have the Christmas spirit all year long. That's just stupid. How will stores know when to put stuff on sale if we celebrate Christmas all year long?

You might think we can just have stuff on sale all year long, but apparently you slept the day they taught retail in Economics. We can't have people shopping all year long based on actual need instead of being swept up in a whirlwind of toys they never knew they needed. And don't go talking to me about boosting profits and all that. Millionaire moguls have to feed their golden spoon-fed children too.

Contentment you say? Bah, antiquated notion, says I.

Some might argue the spirit of Christmas is not about what we buy with credit but about the love we share with family and friends. I scoff. The receipts say otherwise and the spirit of Christmas is simply unaffordable the entire year long.

So keep wanting the Christmas spirit all year long, but I say let's pack it up with the decorations and put them all back in the attic until after next Thanksgiving.
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