Amish farmers thought of this first.
It's really not a horrible idea. Like a lot of things, they are done to the extreme to make a point.
I think it would behoove us all to just cut our descretionary spending by 10% and see what a difference it makes in our lives. Pay off your bills. Save the money. Actually pay cash for stuff--I know a lot of you do this, but most Americans don't. I know I've gotten sloppy--when some stuff breaks, it is just replaced.
I think its a good lesson for everyone.