Thursday, April 09, 2009

Pimping the Recession

I'm watching television. The local TV affiliate is broadcasting a commercial for a church -- one of those megachurches, and one that has a reputation for "deliverance" ministry -- showing scene after scene of unemployment lines, people frowning over desks of household paperwork, crying people, people holding their head in their hands. The pitchman exhorts viewers that "There's no problem God can't handle!" and urges us to come to this church and get all our problems solved.

Several minutes later I'm watching the latest commercial of a notoriously ambulance-chasing plaintiffs' law firm. More talk and imagery related to "these tough economic times," and the suggestion that if life isn't treating us right it may be because we haven't sued someone who deserves it: "Call the offices of ________!"

Ironic.

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