PUMPING THE BIG BOYS

As I was driving my Chevy in NOVA (Northern Virgina) not far from the District of Columbia and listening to the radio, I once again heard an “info blurb” from a source that has a website and apparently vends advice. The advice was aimed at seasonal buyers for the period in December, which was once understood by the name “Christmas.” Now, one is just as likely as not to receive reproachful looks for employing such a term. The idea amongst the secular crowds, as well as newly competitive holidays/holy days devotees, is that use of such a term is “insensitive” and “non-inclusive” and maybe even prejudice. 

Now, the Japanese businessmen, as well as “big-eyed” kids in Japan, began to see the merit of such a season. It was apparently a good source of revenue for Japanese merchandisers. In the “spirit” of the season, the Japanese named their December holiday period’s “special day,” Gift-Giving day. It seems strikingly honest, forthright and really catches much of what the meaning of December is in the world today.

In such a Westernized world culture as is aborning, the Wise Men of Merchandise are on the move. It isn’t any one religion or religious belief that is important. WE MUST BUY, THEN GIVE. Otherwise, the world economy collapses. This is the time when companies go “green”—and I’m not implying a socio-political cause, driven by  ”hot-eyed youth,” “imploring women,” and agents of a New Order. This is make-or-break time. The smaller merchandisers and shops are particularly vulnerable.

Walter Rathenau, a great Jewish industrialist in Germany in the early 20th century, had commented that “half the world makes dross and the other half buys it.” Well, I paraphrase–but it’s nearly exact. In this comment one may infer some level of cynicism but also a “ballpark” comment on the way we are becoming [in his day]. Yet, implications of vulgarity afflicting the masses hardly raises eyebrows.

Folks, we just can’t help it anymore. Our civilization may well rest upon the opinion of little girls about “Barbie” and of adolescent boys’ fervor to engage in video games. The happiness of the Merchants of the Earth keeps Wall Street hopping. Their happiness depends upon the “feeding frenzy” of shop-until-I-drop-ers. It is a jungle out there. The rule of this game is: Survival of the Fittest. These survivors take no prisoners.

Therefore, THE season–the December Gift-Giving Days–will make or break some enterprises. The hardier enterprises will stand over them, devouring what’s left. So, shouldn’t government, or somebody important, try to make the playing field even? No way, Jose!

There, on the road again, I am. As I go along driving here and there, I’m listening to this radio station. It’s WTOP, which bills itself as your “news, traffic, and weather station.” It is owned by a company named “Bonneville” or “Bonnevil,” which seems to be a company owned by the Mormon Church or affiliated Mormon businessmen.

Parenthetically, the Mormon Church has a belief that their founding ancestors [presumably British] were descended from the house of Israel. This concept is probably correct. They also assume modern Jewry is descended from the house of Judah. This concept is probably, for the most part, incorrect. Still, given the Mormon belief, it isn’t surprising that they are ready, willing and able to embrace Jewry as “brother Israelites.” This “reaching out” is very apparent upon listening to the staff and “experts” adduced at this radio station.

One such expert was interviewed by a WTOP staffer in regard to buying products on the internet. This expert was a staffer who was employed by a website that offered to the buying public advice on safety in making online purchases. Now, whether they charged the public at their website, I cannot recall. There is a good chance they are a “front” website owned or supported by large merchandising enterprises, and they pay this website to “steer folks in the right direction.”

At any rate, bottom-line, she advised the people, who intend on buying holiday gifts online, to “stick with the well-known, larger companies, so as not to be cheated.” Once again, this is not an exact quote but represents the sense of the great bulk of her advice.

How does that sort of advice serve the interests of the great bulk of online venders whose interests is to sell a product and not to swindle the vulnerable? I understand that the “Merchants of the Earth” prefer cartels and monopolies to annoying competition. The government agencies in charge of regulating business should tell such folks to “deal with it,” but do not. Nor should the giant merchandisers have a cosy relationship with major media to advance one another at the cost of small businesses struggling to make a profit.

I am sensitive to being cheated online, as I was swindled on a well-known auction site by Nigerians, operating through false “addresses” in England and utilizing simulated email notices from it [the auction site] and an affiliated financial arm.

However, the abuse of the radio airwaves to pump-up the bottom line of the merchandising “big boys” at the expense of the “little guys” irks me beaucoup! The “expert” sold fear. Before she could sell it, she had to sow it. WTOP helped in this project, in my view. Caveat emptor!

All rights reserved. Gobigfoot, 2007.