Thanksgiving Shutdowns Reveal the True Cost of Our Consumer Culture

Every Thanksgiving, millions of hardworking Americans gather around their tables, cherishing traditions rooted in family, faith, and freedom. Yet behind this picture of unity lies an unsettling contradiction: the growing tension between national heritage and the insatiable demands of corporate consumerism.Why Are Most Stores Closing on Thanksgiving?This year, as in recent years, Walmart, Target, Macy's, Kohl's, Costco, and other retail giants will shutter their doors on Thanksgiving Day itself. On paper, this appears to be a nod to preserving family time and rest for employees. But look closer: stores stay closed precisely so they can open early on Black Friday—the...