The things you mentioned, clean toilets, bus rides, alcohol are actually things people want. Trying to push something that no one wants or needs is kind of debasing. I agree with OP that we seem to have created a consumer mentality, "shopping therapy", that is sad to be a part of — either as the consumer or the producer. Never mind what it does to the planet as well.

People do want cell phone cases. That’s why they sell. I want cell phone cases more often than I want gin.

I absolutely do not. But unlike driving a bus or cleaning a public toilet are at least socially useful, and those people should be cherished in society for the work they do and the service they provide. Being a "rep" for a pile of completely forgettable plastic pre-garbage is both debasing and utterly pointless.

So is selling alcohol.

What's wrong with driving a bus?

Nothing, but it’s not existentially fulfilling.

Huh?

Yes, criticizing any profession is actually violence.