American Consumerism is the most positive aspect of the American lifestyle

I would just like to flow across all of my arguments, stress the following: Definition:1.a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, unfair pricing, etc. One way to look at consumerism: it is nothing more than an movement to protect the people. This is a point that the judges should vote Pro Opponent:"Our education system lags far behind other countries... we are both weak and stupid" Refutation:"Unlike other species of animals...genetic inheritance of the human species. (http://www.cnrs.fr......) The thing that separates humans from animals is the capacity for language...This is what has allowed humans to dominate the planet. Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.) (https://www.cia.gov......)" To reiterate, The ability to communicate is the basis for education. America is at a 99% literacy (or ability to read and write, thereby communicate). One doesn't have to compare the U.S. to other countries. America is in an excellent position for education. If our education level is low, that is a product of public education. Policies of education are made by the government and not the consumeristic mindset. My opponent might try to argue that the reason we're poor in education is because corporations have limited the amount of education funding. Again that is a by product of CAPITALISM. Opponent:"Our desire to consume goods, whether it be oil or cheaply made toys painted with lead paint (thanks china and american corporations desiring profit) hurts people. In fact, that last example (china) i cited directly effects and hurts american citizens. If our own consumerism can turn around and hurt us, how can it possibly be considered the most positive aspect of the american lifestyle?" Refutation:"Once again, this is actually referring to capitalism. If you look at my first definition of consumerism it is there in part to Protect against examples like lead and other flaws of capitalism." Moreover, I would like to point out my opponent's clever word choice. "Our desire to consume goods, whether it be oil or cheaply made toys painted with lead paint" This is a clever way to make it seem like americans WANT to buy those cheap goods. I bet that if you asked any mother if they want to buy lead painted toys that same mother would say no. My opponent tries to make it seem like americans Enjoy consuming cheap and dangerous products. No, cheap capitalistic institutions enjoy it when americans consume cheap and dangerous products. My opponent's arguments that consumerism hurts people are wrong. Sorry to be so blunt. The examples my opponent give show us how capitalism is bad, however, consumerism is also a means to protect against those examples. Flow across my opponent's arguments that "Now, judges, think about this. If we were attacked for our freedoms and such, then why were the World Trade Centers, a well known symbol of american capitalism, smashed with planes?" Now flow across my refutation that this applies to "american capitalism". Don't believe me, look up. "a well known symbol of american CAPITALISM" Flow across my opponent's following arguments and my following refutations. My point: "As I've said before, consumerism is logically based on the desire to BETTER our surroundings. If we are forever trying to BETTER our surroundings, then the Principle, the Mindset, is at least completely positive. Since we are debating the aspect then practice does not hold sway. Consumerism is the most positive aspect of american lifestyles." Opponent's: "They teach us to be greedy. To step on our fellow man to get to the top. To never be satisfied with what we have" Refutation:"No. CAPITALISM teaches us those. CONSUMERISM teaches us: To strive for more, to do our best to keep up with every person's enhancement of their own surroundings, and to always have hope for a better in the future." If your wondering about the "desire to better our surroundings argument" please look to my second speech. The difference between capitalism and consumerism. My opponent argues through out the round that the harms of capitalism out weigh the advantages. We are not debating capitalism. My opponent has continually grouped them together. They are connected, but they are not one in the same as my opponent would like you to believe. One can only sell something is if there is demand for that object. Since consumerism can have that demand it can lead to capitalism or the selling of that object. In lay men's terms, the only way capitalism can exist is through consumerism. What significance does this argument hold in this debate round? Think of all the advantages of capitalism. It makes us drive to make better products for the populace. Whether it's a newly developed car with 50 miles/gallon or a new form of medical treatment, capitalism has many benefits. My opponent even states this earlier. Look to his first speech. Because capitalism exists because of consumerism, then with out consumerism none of these advantages would be able to exist. Moreover, any and all flaws of capitalism must be discarded. The problems and harms that arise from capitalism are due to flaws with the principle of capitalism therefore irrelevant in this debate round. We can debate outcomes of consumerism. So the flaws of capitalism cannot hold sway against the pro. Moreover, I would just like to bring up my statement that the principle(what we are debating in this theoretical world) of consumerism is one to BETTER our surroundings. This attempt to BETTER our selves and our surroundings proves that consumerism is the most positive aspect of american lifestyles. Let's use cars as an example. Let's say they cause global warming. Well now that we know this(in this theoretical world) we buy hybrid cars. It's a little black and white but think about it. We're just trying to BETTER our surroundings. Now I would like to point out the key arguments in this debate. --Education. First of all, my opponent never gives evidence for his argument that America is stupid and our education system lags behind. I have supplied evidence that americans are in just as good a position to be educated, if not a better one, than just about any other country. Moreover, I have also proved that even if our education system does lag behind, that cannot hold sway because it is not the fault of consumerism. This proves that on the point of education, the judge should vote Pro. --Desire to consume cheap goods. As I have said before, consumerism is not the desire to consume cheap goods, rather, the desire to better our surroundings. This proves that on the point of the desire to consume cheap goods, the judge should vote Pro. --Terrorism. My opponent tries to argue that 9-11 was caused by consumerism. However, his own evidence says it was caused by capitalism which, as proved through out the round, is not consumerism. This proves that on the point of terrorism, the judge should vote Pro. --Capitalism is attainable only through consumerism. As I have proved earlier, all benefits of capitalism are reasons to support the Pro whereas all negatives to capitalism are inherent flaws with Capitalism and cannot be held against the Pro. This proves on the point that capitalism is attainable only through consumerism, the judge should vote Pro. --Consumerism is a desire to BETTER our surroundings. As I have proved, the consumeristic mindset is one of betterment. We, as consumers, are forever looking to better our surroundings. This proves on the point that consumerism is a desire to BETTER or surroundings, the judge should vote Pro. On all the major points of this round the Pro has won. Thereby, I can see nothing but a Pro ballot. This is my last speech, dont allow the Con to make new arguments. I would not have time to debate them.