Declare your independence from Stuff! That's the message in a primetime PBS special, Escape From Affluenza. The one-hour program is a sequel to last fall's hit special, Affluenza, which introduced Americans to the epidemic of the same name.

"Affluenza" is the name coined for the epidemic of rampant consumerism and materialism ailing Americans. Its symptoms include record levels of personal debt and bankruptcy, fractured families, chronic stress and overwork.

Americans of all colors and income levels are questioning the work-and-spend treadmill of American life. A new poll from the Center for a New American Dream reveals that 55 percent of Americans say they'd be willing to reduce material possessions and earnings either "some" or "a lot" in order to gain time with family and experience less stress. Additionally, 33 percent of us report buying 50 to 100 percent more stuff than is really needed.

"We declare the first week in July 'Independence from Stuff' week," says Vivia Boe, co-producer of Escape From Affluenza. "In many ways, the American Revolution was a rebellion against materialism, and seeking Independence from Stuff is entirely within the spirit of Independence Day."

The program opens with a fantasy news flash many of us would like to see...those Affluenza Patient Zeroes, the Joneses we're all trying to keep up with, wave the white flag and call a halt to the consumption contest. Co-producer John de Graaf explains, "People are tired of trying to keep up with the Joneses. We're postulating in this show that the Joneses all across the country are tired of it, too! Lots of those Joneses are deep in debt now, and if they could surrender, they would."