STUFF…..
If it weren’t for betting ads, personal injury lawyers and politics local TV stations would go broke. The betting ads bug me most. I once knew and even worked with a bookie. He taught me all I know about gambling and the biggest lesson was – don’t. Yet today college and pro sports are in bed with gambling. Last night I saw a news story on an app that combines your investment portfolio with the ability to bet on any manner of stuff. Basically, your life savings become real-time collateral for your losses. Seriously?
Speaking of personal injury lawyers…would you seriously ever hire any of those who flood the TV screen with ads? Seriously? Seriously? When I see them I cringe. I can’t imagine hiring any of them. Of course, I grew up in a time when people were allowed to make mistakes. We didn’t sue at the drop of a hat. Sometimes, shit just happens. Personally, if I ever feel so wronged as to sue I will go to my personal attorney, who does all the grunt work of our wills, etc. and just asked her advice.
I could have tossed Big Pharma ads in here. If you watch an evening of TV you realize Big Pharma is about 75 percent of all the advertising. Makes me wonder what drugs would cost if there were not advertising. Again, “I grew up in a time….” Where you saw your doc, they made a diagnosis, prescribed something you never heard of and you got better.
Politics…used to be there was a season for political ads. Now the season never ends. Just like wondering what drugs would cost it all makes me wonder what politics would be like if you spending were limited and you could only advertise six weeks before a primary and six weeks before a general election. In other words, do it like a lot of other free, civilized countries do it. When I was a newspaper publisher, elections were like bonuses. We charged politicians our highest rate and demanded cash up front. In the interests of democracy I once proposed to the corporate suits that we charge our lowest rate and extend credit so folks without money could afford to be in the game. I got laughed out of the room.
Hmmm. Looking at the above….we don’t allow ads for cigarettes and hard liquor so why are we seeing gambling and pharma ads?
Got to go…going to see my doctor….I will let her decide if I need anything from Big Pharma and I most likely will not end up suing her….in fact, I’d bet I won’t…..
Rich Heiland is a retired journalist and semi-retired consultant, trainer and public speaker. During his journalism career he was a reporter, editor, publisher, college instructor, part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team and a National Newspaper Association Columnist of the Year honoree. He also writes the intodementia.com blog about his family’s experience with dementia. He lives in West Chester, PA and can be reached at [email protected].