We can all use a good garage sale from time to time. Sometimes we need to take out some things we do not need and give them another home. Other times we should drag out the values that no longer suit us and let them drift away.
It was once common to have laws preventing people from spending too lavishly. That is no longer possible in our consumer economy, our livelihood depends on people discovering wants they never knew existed.
There are plenty of worthy ways to spend the money you earn, and there’s nothing wrong with being a little frivolous if it brings you joy. But too many things just tie us down. Better to pay it towards movement, experience and growth. Even better, to invest it in people who can enrich your life and continue doing so for others.
But perhaps the old ways had some merit, that this is one way to restore the greatness of old. Place higher taxes on the things that are meant to be showy and extravagant. If they are truly signs of superiority, then let those who deem themselves worthy demonstrate more greatness through their tax bills.