Some days I just can’t focus on one thing for an extended time. Today is one of those days:
Public this, that and the other thing: Years ago I stopped using the ridiculous name “public schools.” These hideous institutions are owned, operated and staffed by government. They’re government schools, not public schools. I bring this up because there is now a movement in Washington — a Democrat-driven movement, of course — to pass yet another bailout bill. This will be a bailout of the pension plans of what they’re calling “public sector unions.”
These are government employee unions. The word “public” is being used because the average myrmidon will mutter to themselves: “Public! Why that’s us! They’re doing something for the public!” Nonsense, they’re doing something for themselves. They’re pandering to unions for more money, more support and move votes. Just remember, when you hear politicians say “public,” they’re thinking “government.”
The rich keep getting richer because they keep doing the things that made them rich ( and ditto for the poor): I bring this up again because of an article this past week in my other hometown newspaper, the Naples Daily News. The headline was “Faces of the Downturn: Jobless and homeless, what’s a family to do?” The story was about Jennifer and her boyfriend Chad. Jennifer and Chad — not married — have two children, ages 3 and 6.
When Jennifer got out of high school she took a few college classes, and that was it. She then went into waitressing and bartending. Chad didn’t even make it that far. He got kicked out of two high schools and, as he says, doesn’t even know the times tables. Chad’s career path was construction work. Jennifer had a job — back in 2008 —but she thought it would be a good idea to steal some money out of the cash drawer. Goodbye, job! Chad, with no education or real job skills, became chronically unemployed with the economic downturn. Jennifer and Chad ended up — with the two children they could not afford — begging on a street corner. Finally Chad found a job at a restaurant. Things were looking up.
Then they get pulled over for a traffic stop; the cops find cocaine. So now it’s back to jail for Jennifer. “Faces of the downturn” my left elbow. How about “Faces of irresponsibility and poor choices”?
The louder the commercial, the dumber they think you are: This bit of Boortz wisdom comes from 40 years on the radio in Atlanta — and it particularly applies to commercials for car dealers. Have you noticed that in some ads they have tag-team screamers? Then there’s loud music and explosions in the background. You’ve also noticed that other dealer advertisements are delivered calmly, with soft music ( if any) in the background. Fine, now I want you to notice something else. The cheaper the car, the louder the commercial.
That’s right: The more expensive the car the more likely it is that the ad will be delivered in something approaching a dignified manner. It’s the least-expensive cars that bring out the screamers and explosions.
Now, let me carry that a bit further. I think it’s safe to generalize that the brighter you are, the more likely it is that you will be earning a good living. And the more you earn, the more expensive a car you can afford to buy. Ergo: The louder the commercial, the dumber they think you are.
One more thing before my mind shifts gears: If you hear any of these phrases in a dealer ad, run like your hair’s on fire ... away:
● “We’ll pay off your old loan no matter how much you owe!”
● “All credit applications accepted!”
If I need to explain those two items, then you need to be reading a comic book, not a newspaper.
Listen to Neal Boortz live from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays on AM750 WSB Radio.
His column appears every Saturday. For more Boortz, go to boortz.com
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