Bill Gates started Microsoft in a recession.
This will end long before those who started it are paroled.
Self worth beats net worth.
Stop obsessing about the economy, you're scaring the children.
Interesting fact about recessions...they end.
Feeling warm and fuzzy all over yet?
Well, Recession 101, an advertising campaign which began in Rhode Island through the funding of an "anonymous" donor is hoping that these catch phrases will resonate with you.
I don't know much about this Recession 101 campaign. I'm not sure anyone knows much about it. I did read that the "donor" was depressed over the public's negative reaction to the economy, hence deciding that we, the people, needed a positive spin on these difficult times. Now, for the most part I have a Pollyanna outlook, but a reality check tells me that there were better things that could have been done with the big bucks it required to plaster a public lecture onto a bilboard for our reading pleasure.
Does anyone really think that the people most affected by this recession are in the mood for a pep talk from a billboard campaign? I don't know about you, but I am completely aware that this country has undergone past recessions and recovered. You'd have to be living in a cave in Outer Mongolia to not know that. I know that my self worth is more than my net worth...duh? No one needs to talk down to the citizens of this country about this recession. We get it!
The problem is that the politicians and corporations that have the stronghold on the people don't give a damn about our self worth. If they did, do you think we would be in this mess now? These are the people Mr. Depressed Anonymous Donor's billboards should be targeting, not the people who are paying for the despicable actions of the powers that be.
It is not the job of the American people who are suffering through this recession to fuel the donor's happy pill supply. He/She's depressed? Don't you think we have enough on our plate like lost homes, lost jobs, lost retirements, and lost health care? We know that we can pull ourselves up by the boot straps. We are just looking for that light the end of the tunnel and wondering how long it will take before it appears. At the same time, we need to place focus and awareness on those who took part in destroying lives while pushing for accountability, not bailouts and slaps on the wrist. Not all of the crooks are behind bars!
May be the Recession 101 campaign had its heart in the right place and I am being unsympathetic. May be they actually do care about how the American people are feeling and not just looking to boost their dispositions. After all, positive attitudes are much needed, but this was a weak attempt and is actually rather patronizing given the dire circumstances. Please, don't try to dumb us down anymore than what has already been attempted. Obviously Mr. Depressed Anonymous Donor has enough cash on hand to pay for these words of enlightenment for Mr. I Can't Keep a Roof Over My Family's Head.
Excuse some of us for worrying about our future and wondering just how low are we going to sink before it is all over. Excuse us for feeling a little angry at the jackasses who got away with our money. Excuse us for making you feel bad Mr. Depressed Anonymous Donor, forcing you to spend money on billboards telling us how to feel and behave. If you want to make "steamed" folks like me feel better, here's a few campaign messages Recession 101 can add to their repertoire.
Corporate America and Greedy Government started this recession.
Interesting fact about recessions...they do end, but not until you are broke!
Stop obsessing over low retail sales and hire a few people who buy your shit.
Stimulus is a four letter word! J-O-B-S!
Wall Street gets a bonus for blowing up your retirement fund -- now smile, damnit!
Comments