Here in Montana, fireworks stands opened a few days ago. They’re called “stands”, but don’t confuse them with the stand defined in the dictionary: “a small, often open-air structure for a small retail business [a vegetable stand, a hot dog stand]” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). None of our local fireworks stands looks smaller than two cargo containers, side by side. Perhaps, in this case, “stand” refers only to the temporary nature of these stores. Consumer fireworks are legal in our state. From June 24 through July 5, we can buy a large variety of pyrotechnics, with only skyrockets, roman candles, and bottle rockets prohibited.
It’s amazing to see how busy the stands are, considering prices. For $15, you get about one minute’s worth of “the loudest available by law” firecrackers. No flashing light or sparkles. No action. Just very loud noise. You can buy 90 seconds of thick, white smoke for $2. Colored smoke will cost you a bit more. Torches provide sparkle and light for younger children at a few pennies, but a single blooming flower will cost you $25. Parachutes, spinners, and snakes have action. All come at a price and go in an instant.
We can, of course, celebrate the Fourth of July without these lesser fireworks, and without supporting the plethora of fireworks stands that blossomed overnight. Our town provides a beautiful, July 4th fireworks display at the county fairgrounds. It has light, noise, and action in far greater scope than legal consumer fireworks provide, and it’s FREE! Who could ask for anything more?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a Scrooge, but I have to wonder if the armloads of fireworks being purchased are robbing at least some families of necessities. Our local economy is not great. Our town’s 2005 median household income was about half the national average. The median household income for our state as a whole is fourth from the lowest in the entire U.S. Many people work two jobs in efforts to make ends meet – but spend hundreds of dollars on fireworks.
Is this character? Is this a display of moral excellence?
Thriftiness is on our list of character traits. Self-indulgence is not. I wonder why thriftiness is being sacrificed to self-indulgence. I wonder how these hard-working people manage to rationalize the burning of their money in a few moments of noise. Most would cringe at the suggestion they take the family to a restaurant featuring entrees at $20 each. Yet they spend more for fireworks, without blinking an eye.
Character with fireworks is important. A man or woman of character, even if tempted by the colorful, huge fireworks stands, will exercise thriftiness. He or she will not give in to the self-indulgent urge to spend money on that which is gone in an instant, and gives little lasting pleasure.
You may not have consumer fireworks where you live, but you will have temptations now and then to “burn” money in foolish ways. Build thriftiness and it will be yours to exercise when such temptations call.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?