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Thou Shall Not Consume, But I Certainly Shall






In a succinct version of a harangue, Jordan´s Prime Minister attributed the critical financial conditions in Jordan to the consumerist culture of its citizens (revert to article published in the Jordan Times on Valentine´s Day in the spirit of love). Problems that stretch from lack of transportation services to the elevated cost of rudimentary sustenance products had one root cause: the greedy, consumerist Jordanian citizen.

Interestingly, and on the same day, a news article was published in the Washington Post indicating that following a meeting between the Jordanian and Foreign Minister and the American Secretary of State, Washington pledged to give Jordan at least $1.275 billion a year annually over the next five years, replacing a previous three-year commitment of $1 billion annually. This generous support comes two months after Jordan urged Washington to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital at the famous UN vote. The US was livid, promised to jot down the names of traitors, and subsequently cut off any aid and assistance as a strong slap on the wrist.  Jordan on the other hand exposed its fangs and talons and employed its best weapon – rhetoric – against Washington´s audacious move. Clearly, water under the bridge, and Jordan and the US kissed and made up.

The message that an average Jordanian citizen would get from all of this would be that their government is unable to sustain itself without foreign aid, but that citizens should and must be able to do so. A family of six with an income that does not exceed 500 Jordanian Dinars should be able to provide the minimum and basic needs for its household, but a government that has mastered the art of aid receipt cannot. The government felt entitled to preach on the basics of financial management and self-restraint against the dangers of consumerism, but set a record for failing to implement sound economic policies. Speaking of records, someone might need to explain to the premier that purchasing a car to get to work is not attributed to Jordanians’ passion for shopping for cars, but rather to the lack of public transportation. And bread is not a meal.

While it is certainly a diplomatic victory for Jordan to have the US not only not go through with its threats but actually increase its aid to Jordan, it is a moral defeat for Jordanians who felt insulted by Trump´s arrogance and disregard to the rights of Palestinians in Jerusalem. Snubbing economic aid would have restored pride and quenched the anger of the Jordanian street – a street that is still being blamed for economic woes and misfortunes. It might not be feasible to reject aid, but a statement that explained why it was accepted and an apology for still being dependent on donations would have been nice – certainly nicer than reprimanding Jordanians for their shopping sprees.

It is only hoped that quotients of the generous American aid be channelled to citizens...after all, they must maintain their consumerist behaviour, no?

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