There are valid reasons for shopping on line, and I'm betting that many of those who expressed gratitude do some on line shopping. If not, let's hear from those who never shop on line.
Some people are disabled, and although not in a wheel chair, are unable to walk around any where, much less a farmer's market, with products they can't afford on a low income. Try paying for rent and food out of a $700 mo. check. It's like a magic act where the food items aren't visible, because they aren't there! People on SSI can't get food stamps, so there goes that argument. I have one friend who gets $15 in food stamps because he gets about $900 SS income, an amount that puts him over the minimum income limit.
None of this voids your rant about Amazon. My sons used to send me Amazon gift cards, til I asked them not to. I'd rather just have money put into my PayPal account, although that's another outfit that people despise, along with EBay, Craigslist, Facebook, etc.
Boutique shops are not for everyone. Whole Foods/Community Market prices aren't for everyone. That's the beauty of Grocery Outlet, WalMart, Big Lots, and thrift stores. Some Waccos wouldn't be seen in these stores, which would mean that they were looking to save money. Do politically correct, conscious people equate to people with money to burn? Is our community the "Politically correct center of the universe"? Please, spare me. Tell me all the ways we are conscious, besides where we shop. Shopping is not actually a gage of consciousness. Awareness and compassion are much higher up the ladder.
How is our politically correct conscious community helping others less fortunate? How are you sharing your wealth this season? What are you giving back? What are you paying forward? Now that you have your glitzy tree adorned with expensive ornaments, and stacks of gifts underneath, your new expensive outfits ready to show off at the community parties, your refrigerators well stocked from Whole Foods and Community Markets gourmet delights, and maybe even a new car, a Prius or something even more politically correct? Take a good look at your "conscious" lifestyle. Are you feeling proud? Ready to party? Go for it! Don't give others a second thought. Spend, spend, spend. Grab all you can. It's the season, after all.
Some stores sell $10 bags of groceries that they say will provide 21 meals for low income families. Who can top this?