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Consumer Confidence Rises; Democracy Declines

March 21, 2007: Benjamin Barber explains why consumer culture is bad for humanity copyright © 2009 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org Great News!  The good life will soon return to America.  Auspiciously, months before the holiday shopping season began, Americans were told that after more than a year of fiscal recession, or what some have characterized as akin to an economic depression, consumers were optimistic.  The confidence  index and other indicators were much improved.  Manufacturing executives assured the public, the engine that drives the free enterprise system was in a "sustainable recovery mode." In the very near future, products, and people's sense of need, would be fabricated again. Everything will be right with the world, economically.  Few feared the threat that, long ago, Americans had come to accept.   The foundation of a democratic system had eroded in favor of consumption.

Fear Factor; The Telephone Rings in the White House?

US Democrats - Walter Mondale 1984 Video 10

copyright © 2008 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

A telephone fills the screen. The deep blood red hue warns us war is eminent. Little light shines on the barely visible instrument. The tone is ominous and foretells the future. The audience is aware there is trouble in the world. Slowly, the table turns. A yellow bulb in the center of this contrivance communicates doom. It glows and pulsates. We concentrate on the orb shaped object squarely in the center. The dominance of this display is foreboding. Our future is in the hands of the person who picks up the receiver. The question reverberates through our mind. Who will we place in this most powerful position?

The Yellow Brick Road, The Campaign Trail, and Us

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

Americans, mired in debt, desperate for adequate Health Care, fearful of foreclosures, and worried about a protracted war, cry out for change. Compatriots wish for a wizard, one who will work for the common folk, and not solely for self, a Commander-In-Chief who will acknowledge the current crises, and lead us into a Land like Oz. We want America to be the perfect country. We wish to be known as benevolent, caring, compassionate super power. We yearn to say aloud with conviction, "There is no place like home!"

Americans Have No Choice; A Diet of Fats, Salts, Sugars

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

'Tis the season to be jolly. From Thanksgiving Day to the dawn of the New Year, Americans are encouraged to eat. He, she, you, and I are expected to fritter our fears away. We will worry not of weight gain, heart attacks, coronary artery disease, strokes, or diabetes. Citizens in celebration will gorge on and gulp down millions of morsels. Americans will eat, drink, and be merry with reckless abandon. There are some expressed concerns for food safety, especially after a year of scares; however, for the most part we will dine with delight.

Congress; "Support our troops. Bring them home!"

VideoVets TV Ad

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Tell Congress to "Support our troops. Bring them home!"

MoveOn.org and soldiers far from American shores are asking for your assistance. Families here in the States hope that you will help. We, the public understand the hurts these persons experience. We feel them too. Americans long for a return to calm. Iraqis do as well. There is much evidence that this battle did not need to be. I invite you to speak your mind, talk from the heart, and do whatever you can to help our troops and to free the citizens of Iraq.

War of Words. Bloggers, Broadcasters, Rappers Code of Ethics

Oprah on Imus (Public forum with Russell and others) 2

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert
In this tome, I am not advocating autocratic censorship. I ask each of us to look within and consciously choose an empathetic ethical code.

"There is a problem." However, Americans do not agree what the problem is. Sexism, racism, homophobia, violence, or the words we use to promote such social ills. For weeks, language has been in the news, on the blogs, in the airwaves, and in music-industry executives meeting rooms. Free speech is the topic in question, as is the power of words. As children, we learned that "Sticks and stones may break our bones; but names will never hurt me." In fact, the opposite is true. Words and the inferences can cause greater, and more last injuries than twigs or rocks might. The body heals far better than the heart does.

Single Women. The First Time. ©

The idea first entered my consciousness at the age of five. I overheard my parents having a passionate conversation. I had never seen them so animated. I wanted to feel as they did in that moment. By the time I was a teen I had read much. I knew; I was ready. How long would it be before I too felt the excitement and the energy I witnessed? I wondered.

When the time came, I was anxious, expectant, and so eager. I did not know that I could do it in my own home. I was young and naïve. I walked outside the house in a driving rain. I hitchhiked to meet my destiny. Once I completed the act, I was elated. I could hardly wait for the next time, then the next, and the next. All these years later, I still love doing it.

“Be Afraid; Be Very, Very Afraid.” I Am. ©

It was early in the 1960s that I first learned of fear. There was much apprehension. The Cold War was on; it was with us each and every day. It had been for decades. In Capitalist countries such as the United States, children practiced rushing into Air-raid shelters. Adults feared the possible threat of a bomb. They taught their offspring to fear as well. Underground safe houses were built. In backyards throughout America, steel and concrete sanctuaries were established. “The stakes were high.” Yet, these circumstances and societal beliefs did not alarm me.

Lyndon Baines Johnson in his 1964 Democratic campaign spoke of the impending threat in a political advertisement. This singular commercial came to be known as the “Daisy Ad.” One transmission of that commercial was more than enough for the general public. The broadcast was considered too controversial. This public notice was not shown again. All previously scheduled airings were canceled. There was enough alarm within our society at-large. Americans did not wish to be reminded of it in their living rooms. However, beginning this weekend citizens of this country will again acquainted with fear as they watch their cable networks.