Yes to Bailout No to Super Bowl

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.