Now that I’m home during the day I’m listening to more talk radio, which of course is primarily geared toward pretty conservative listeners, to say the least. I’ve been kind of flummoxed by some of the advertisements that I’ve heard between segments lately. One entices, “Because of provisions in the stimulus plan, there is no better time for taking out a mortgage!” Another one asserts, “If you have more than $10,000 in credit card debt, you have a RIGHT to settle that debt for a fraction of what you owe!” Just today I heard an earnest recruitment ad for AmeriCorps, followed by the testimony of a mother who was encouraging all parents to enroll their children in some sort of child healthcare program so that their children might also have access to unlimited doctor and dentist visits for only $50 a month.
Not to deal in stereotypes, but these ads seem to be a little midguided. Most conservatives I know (especially the kind who listen to news-talk radio stations) oppose anything having to do with the stimulus bill, believe that people should be held accountable for paying off their own debt, and are suspicious of all government-sponsored philanthropy and healthcare.
I have no additional commentary, I just think it’s kind of weird.
June 30, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Yes, and have you seen the commercials for tax settlements? “I owed over $100,000 in back taxes, and I settled for less than $1500!” – they are proud of that? Do they think we are happy for them. Well, you are not welcome, cheaters!
June 30, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Exactly!
June 30, 2009 at 10:00 pm
The hosts of the talk shows have little input on the ads which run with them, but you would think the marketing gurus of the respective businesses would do better targeting research.