Feb. 3, 2014 - PPM - Inequality Inequality

This week's PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is about Inequality.

President Obama has made income inequality a mantra for 2014. The President has moved beyond Obamacare while our county still struggles with its implementation and impact to focus on another scourge.

Per Obama, income inequality is the defining challenge of our time. I guess world peace, a cure for cancer, and a NFL career for Obama’s imaginary son can wait?

There was huge inequality at the Super Bowl this year, and it wasn’t only the beat down that the Seattle Seahawks delivered to the Denver Broncos.

I’m speaking of ADVERTISING INEQUALITY.

To paraphrase President Obama's ire regarding income inequality, advertising inequality isn't FAIR.

To a non-American viewing the Super Bowl for the first time, the United States appears to be nothing but a country hung up on cars, junk food, cute animals, and beer.  These themes dominated the commercial landscape during this year’s game.

After watching the Super Bowl, I was shocked by the advertising inequality in this country.  This is patently unfair.  We are a country of much more depth.  What about Sham Wows, Ginsu Steak Knives, and Snuggies?  Shouldn’t every product have the opportunity to be showcased during the Super Bowl?

Other notable absences were former celebrities: William Devane hawking gold, Fred Thompson promoting reverse mortgages, and Marie Osmond dropping 50 pounds….again.

It costs $4,000,000 for a 30 second commercial at this year's Super Bowl.  Sadly, Proactiv will remain just a blemish on the advertising inequality spectrum, only seen by viewers of the Oxygen and Bravo networks. 

To quote the great provocateur, all everyone needs is a fair shot, a level playing field, and a country where everyone plays by the same rules.  The enormous size of the chip on our Commander in Chief’s shoulder should have its own zip code.

It's ironic that the people who complain about income inequality do so on a MAC, iPad, or PC.  These critics are directly supporting self-made billionaires and their families (Steve Jobs and Bill Gates) as they use their technology platforms to spout indignation.

Their faux arguments actually highlight the problem of Intelligence Inequality. 

Why does it cost $326,000 per 30 second commercial for the Big Bang Theory yet only $82,000 for Parks and Recreation?  Could advertising rates be market-driven, much like income?  Wow. Popular shows achieve higher advertising revenues.

Let’s not stop at income inequality or advertising inequality.  What about the inequalities that exist concerning height and weight?  Why can’t vertically challenged people play in the NBA?  Why are horizontally challenged people the only ones considered for “The Biggest Loser” show?

Hopefully this discussion exposes the absurdity of considering income inequality the bane of our economy.  One can take any situation and discuss possible or perceived "Inequality."  

While we all deserve equal treatment by law, we have different intellects, aptitudes, goals, efforts, outcomes, and INCOME.  Income differences should be celebrated and ENCOURAGED.  

They are not a result of an inequality, but rather a result of UNEQUAL effort.

It sounds from all the whining about income inequality like Barack had a bad experience at summer camp when someone took his marbles.  If not then, he definitely lost his marbles some time ago.