Jumping on the Bandwagon

It is human nature to jump on the bandwagon. We are all guilty of doing it. In most cases, when we jump on the bandwagon, it is a knee jerk reaction. In other words, we react with emotions and feelings more than we do with reason and facts. Many times, jumping on the bandwagon, is synonymous with “keeping up with the Jones’”. For instance, if our neighbors get a new car or swimming pool, we too feel compelled to have these things. And what’s worse, is when we purchase these items at a time when we cannot afford them.

Jumping on the bandwagon most commonly occurs when we purchase a new popular item. For example, high tech items such as a big screen HDTVs, the Ipad, 4G phones, digital cameras, and other gadgets receive all the media’s buzz and craze when they first come out. Many of these products sell millions in the first weeks of their release. If human beings could control their desires and impulsive addictions, they could literally save thousands of dollars. I personally wait to buy a product once the next generation is available. Thus, when I purchase the old version of an item it generally costs anywhere from 50% to 70% less than when they were first introduced a mere year or two prior.

Jumping on the bandwagon is a common occurrence in the political world for either candidates or policies. Barack Obama is a prime example. Millions were quick to jump on the Obama bandwagon. They were mesmerized by substance lacking speeches calling for “hope and change”. They accepted the media’s view of Obama as being the messiah. The media convinced everyone to join in and make history to elect the first black president. Unfortunately, everyone, including the media, ignored Obama’s abysmal resume to be president. He never ran anything, he was never an executor, he never built anything, and as a legislator he never wrote any significant laws.

Obama, himself, jumped on his own elitist bandwagon. He ordered that the torture facility of Guantanamo to be closed. To his dismay, he is going to keep the prison camp open because he discovered the truth – Guantanamo treats it detainees respectfully and it is nicer than some Holiday Inns. Obama felt the American electorate gave him a referendum to enact any change he deemed necessary. Hence, Obama started the biggest federal government power grab in U.S. history. Obama policies included a government takeover of the healthcare industry, auto industry, and the financial industry. These policies have forced millions to rethink their support of Obama and his socialistic ideology. Now Americans are coming to their senses and are jumping off the Obama bandwagon.

The next time we feel compelled to act impulsively and jump on a product or political bandwagon, it makes sense to avoid the temptation and research the situation. Do not take what friends or the media claim as truth, fact check their statements. Look at both sides of an issue or problem. The more informed we become about a product or issue, the better we become at making rational decisions that are not only best for you, but best for our country.