This has been quite the tumultuous year for companies and citizens alike. The job losses are in the millions and companies once thought to be rock solid are now bankrupt or no longer exist. In all of the chaos, many of these companies which exist and profit mightily from America's capitalist system and small non-intervening government policies, have suddenly had a change of heart--well in some respects. They still want smaller government and fewer restrictions, but they also want a little welfare.
You will have to have lived on Jupiter not to know that the $700 million bailout was approved and so begins the dissemination of our tax dollars to private institutions. One company that did not ask for nor has it received any financial assistance from the government, FedEx, has declined to purchase commercial slots for the upcoming Super Bowl. How delightful I thought. FedEx recently announced reductions in management salaries and a suspension of retirement contributions. Thus, it is only proper judgment to also reduce astronomical spending elsewhere--ala Super Bowl advertising. In all fairness, General Motors announced that it would not purchase advertising slots for the Super Bowl either. I'm still waiting on confirmation that other recipients of bailout money will follow suit.
I do not want to see a single advertisement from AIG or as a matter of fact, any mortgage lender. This is not to exculpate private citizens for biting more than they could chew and getting these mortgages, but private citizens don't typically purchase network advertising. I don't want to see one advertisement for a Ford, a Chrysler, or Wachovia. Will this create a revenue problem for NBC? In all likelihood yes. However, NBC is owned by General Electric, so I think they'll manage.
I am simply disgusted with the lack of accountability demonstrated by so many of the culpable in this financial crisis. The leaders of these companies, while begging for government assistance, show no contrition and shun any oversight. Curbing advertising spending, particularly during the Super Bowl is a decent show of faith. Nevertheless, we have a ways to go in rebuilding the reputations of our financial and automotive industries.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
A Case for Santa
If you've ever read my blog or even been in my presence, you surely know I'm not one for mainstream thinking and ideas, particularly when it comes to Xmas. I am a mother of young children and we have never nor do we ever anticipate lavishing them with gifts on the alleged birthday of Jesus, one of the Xian deities of the trinity. It is commercialism at its best. However, that is a topic for another post. Today, as ironic as it may be, I am writing to make a case for Santa.
I'm not one to judge other parents for promoting the myth of Santa to their children. After all, it is their tradition and traditions are a form of bondage difficult to break. Parents like to live vicariously through their children through the myth of Santa for it reminds them of their childhood pleasantries. I still don't get it for I'd much rather my children have their existence free of my burdens and insecurities, but that is just me.
Until the other day, I did not dare think I would see or hear something that would encourage me to promote the myth of St. Nick. Yet, I have. As I listened to XM Radio the other day, the d.j. began to share the story of a nine year old girl who had written a letter to Santa asking him to stop her uncle from fondling her. My immediate reaction was that the uncle should be castrated. Then, my thoughts went to the little girl. How brave of her to write Santa about her terrible experience. This is the kind of experience that young girls keep secret for decades for fear of retribution and or admonishment. This is a shame that young girls harbor into womanhood that often denigrates future relationships. Yet there was some intense attachment to hope in Santa's power. It is this story and others like it which would lead me to make a case for Santa.
Nonetheless, Santa is indeed a myth. In this situation, someone obviously found and read the child's letter and was able to intervene. What of all the children who really do need help and write to this imaginary man only to never receive it? For those children, can the case for Santa be made?
I'm not one to judge other parents for promoting the myth of Santa to their children. After all, it is their tradition and traditions are a form of bondage difficult to break. Parents like to live vicariously through their children through the myth of Santa for it reminds them of their childhood pleasantries. I still don't get it for I'd much rather my children have their existence free of my burdens and insecurities, but that is just me.
Until the other day, I did not dare think I would see or hear something that would encourage me to promote the myth of St. Nick. Yet, I have. As I listened to XM Radio the other day, the d.j. began to share the story of a nine year old girl who had written a letter to Santa asking him to stop her uncle from fondling her. My immediate reaction was that the uncle should be castrated. Then, my thoughts went to the little girl. How brave of her to write Santa about her terrible experience. This is the kind of experience that young girls keep secret for decades for fear of retribution and or admonishment. This is a shame that young girls harbor into womanhood that often denigrates future relationships. Yet there was some intense attachment to hope in Santa's power. It is this story and others like it which would lead me to make a case for Santa.
Nonetheless, Santa is indeed a myth. In this situation, someone obviously found and read the child's letter and was able to intervene. What of all the children who really do need help and write to this imaginary man only to never receive it? For those children, can the case for Santa be made?
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