I wouldn't describe it quite like that, but consumerism is a big part of our economy. It wasn't done for patriotic reasons, it's just living life in America. No matter what you're taught, you do what's right for you. I don't understand "amass increasing amounts of the world's resources". I was never taught that.

We absolutely need a strong military. Peace through strength as Trump would say. We were always told any debt incurred to fund the military was necessary.