ad men

There are 2 radio commercials I've heard the last few mornings while getting ready for work that stood out for me because they're selling the crappy economy back to us, attempting to spin it like it's all ok and shouldn't be cause for alarm or will power. I can ignore most commercials, I know the tone and what they're selling. These caught me off guard and seemed wrong and slimey.

The first one is pushing the CA Unemployment benefits website. A cheerful and confident woman whom you can hear is smiling and has had at least 3 cups of coffee is talking about how busy she is and how she likes to be organized, she laughingly scolds her kid a bit and then says that when she lost her job, she just didn't have time for all the paperwork filing for unemployment, but learned you could go online, and file easily and when you have time and still do everything else you need to do. That's all repeated several times.

So we get it, you don't want people arriving in person at the office, go on line and register for your benefits. Super. But to gloss over the actual job loss, 10 % unemployment rate, no jobs, and more of this to come-- and make like nothing else changes, you'll still be super busy and cheerful and where would you get the time to actually go to the offie (uh, you're not working?) and get on with your day...it just came across weird to me.

The second one is for a high end jeweley store and they're urging you to come in while they're are no lines and buy that special something for that special someone right now and then they suggest several fancy pieces. Yeah, you rich guy/gal, come on in now, there are no lines because no one is shopping, so take advantage of that and buy stuff. Or you, unemployed person, need a pick me up? Grab your plastic and come down, we'll treat you right, there are no lines...

Crazy.