Two weeks ago I wrote an article about Ashley Judd promoting Yerdle, an online marketplace.
This is Yerdle spokesman Matthew Lewis’ response:
While many Americans would agree that celebrities aren’t always models for good behavior, I take issue with your commentary on Ashley Judd and her decision to join the “Unshopping Challenge” promoted by Yerdle.com.
Yes, it’s true, wealthy Americans don’t live like the rest of us. It’s also true that consumerism helps drive the American economy. But that same endless demand for ever-greater piles of stuff has driven millions of American families into unsustainable levels of debt. Across the country, hard-working Americans are putting in extra hours to pay for things that they don’t necessarily need, only to have those things wind up wasting away in an attic, closet, or, worse, landfill. There’s nothing conservative about debt-financing an unhealthy spending addiction — that’s a job best left to Congress.
We can take heart in the fact that, as the result of a strong economy, more Americans are saving money and reducing their debt. Efforts like the Unshopping Challenge, and companies like Yerdle, hold the promise of helping many Americans keep down their personal debt, reduce waste, and lead less cluttered lives. Maybe they’ll even save up enough to send their kids to college.
We believe that most Americans support the goal of becoming more responsible stewards of their limited financial resources. If a few celebrities can help drive that message home, we should be thanking them, not belittling them for the effort.
Sincerely
Matthew Lewis
Yerdle
