I'm not sure there was ever a whole lot of truth in advertising. It's just become even more over the top.

DH and I tune in Saturday mornings to PBS radio to hear "Under the Influence" with Terry O'Reilly (sp?). One of his programs was about creating a 'need' for a product in the newly urban America. The same theme popped up in the new TV documentary, "How We Got To Now" when 'Clean' was the topic. (One thing discussed was how Soap Operas came to be so named.)

Farmers couldn't pay much attention to dirt or odors. As people left farms and migrated into cities, they were instructed (by advertising) to become self conscious in their newly public lives. They 'needed' products to fight body odor, bad breath, and even the looming shame of 'ring around the collar'.

Now, supposedly, we 'need' plastic surgery on our faces and bodies; straightened, whitened teeth; and hair transplants or extensions to be acceptable upon the public stage.

The FTC is a toothless, old dog that can barely muster the energy to lifts its head from its pillow on the porch and give a half-hearted bark as a stream of robbers stream in and out of the house carrying out all of your possessions.

We are no longer a nation of citizens, we are a collection of consumers, and to the corporate plutocrat capitalists, and their bought and paid for lackeys on Capitol Hill, "Truth" is a quaint, outdated notion that often stands in the way of "The Greater Truth" -- bottomless rapacious greed.

Every couple of years we get a "choice" between someone who hopes to do "good" for the people in some small way but who readily compromises in the hopes of getting anything done, and who spends most of their time in service of the interests of the organizations that fund their campaign; and someone who'd rather die than compromise their core beliefs, which are whatever bests helps the banks and rich corporation owners maintain, consolidate and further increase their mind boggling wealth.

P.S. Those are the only two choices you get. Now get out and vote.

It is all about share holders and $$$$~~very simple. Everything is about money. I do not think it matters much anymore who you vote for.

Do politicians advertise?

o j

So agree with you! If we still have truth in advertising than why is everything a scam

So right you are Bob. We need to vote now for candidates with 100 percent funding by the people and get campaign finance reform a priority before it's too late. All these agencies need to work to protect the public but they only serve corporations right now.

This is completely possible right now. Most Americans are on the same page

Fair wages

Healthcare that's decent and affordable

Good education that doesn't drive young people into debt

Ending the ongoing wars

Green energy and reduced pollution

Clean food and pure water

Not just dreams. We can have these things when we vote corporate controlled politicians out and fix gerrymandering. Make yourself heard and talk to people about issues that matter, not distractions on tv meant to keep us from focusing on what we agree on.

kittymoonbeam, I take it that post was totally tongue-in-cheek?

For some interesting discussions related to advertising and marketing, carried on by a long-term marketing executive called Terry O'Reilly, have a look at www.cbc.ca/radio/influence (or maybe"under the influence").

Terry has another contact, maybe a tweet, @terryoinfluence.

ole joyful