Joe Bageant writes an interesting column/blog on politics, society, etc. While I don't always agree with his conclusions, they're always thought-provoking. His latest piece on consumerism, for example:
http://www.alternet.org/news/145840/joe_bageant%3A_americans_are_%22hope_fiends%22_because_honestly_looking_at_the_present_situation_would_destroy_just_about_everything_we_hold_as_reality?page=1