All-Consuming

It's not hard to measure the U.S.'s dependency on prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications when one takes into consideration the behemothian chain drug stores monopolizing the landscape. Yet, sadly, we continue to hear reports on the failures of the wonder-wares available inside these faux-fountains of youth. Recently, the FDA has issued a report on the dangers of over-the-counter cold medications for children under two; not until spring will they consider the safety of older children. And the New York Times just published an article slamming the biased studies of anti-depressant makers, arguing that drugs like Prozac and Paxil are far from as effective as most people think (and as many doctors prescribe). When coupled with America's penchant for conspicuous consumption (perhaps manifested in obesity having become a chosen way of life, according to one critic), the country seems to be consuming itself to death, literally.