We live in such a splendidly abundant nation that even the poor are overweight. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mikemover · #1 10-18-2003, 09:48 PM

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/richlowry/rl20030121.shtml

Something to think about next time someone talks about those "less fortunate than you"........

Mike

Kuan · #2 10-18-2003, 09:58 PM

It's not surprise. The poorer you are, the bigger of a target you wear on your back. For example, the poor are the largest consumers of snack foods and it's not by accident. I've seen focus groups consisting of multiple families on welfare. Hey watcha gonna do right? Target your biggest customers. Gotta keep America's economy going.

Botnst · #3 10-18-2003, 10:09 PM

Ever park outside a casino and take note of who enters? Those are not rich, high-roller geniuses out for a good time. They are mostly working poor who have math skills that tell them, "Somebody's gotta win, why not me?"

The gambling industry has conspired with local and state government to perpetrate a limitless tax on the least able to pay. And we go along with it.

Fat and vulnerable. Have a Twinkie and roll them bones!

Botnst

Kuan · #4 10-18-2003, 10:13 PM

I have some friends who own "Chinese take out" restaurants in very poor parts of town, you know, where the pass through is bulletproof glass? One guy told me once that he sells over 300 orders of eggrolls and crab rangoons each day. Costs him like $0.20 per order, he sells them for about $3.

mikemover · #5 10-18-2003, 10:15 PM

Yup, it's not the "rich folks" in line for the lottery machine either! Kinda' tells you something about the STUPIDITY of gambling, doesn't it?

The fact that so many of the grossly overweight members of our population are poor also speaks volumes. Blaming it purely on advertising and "target markets" is crap. Education, anyone?.....

Mike

Kuan · #6 10-18-2003, 10:20 PM

Do you think that marketing has no effect on who purchases what Mike? You're trying to sell your CD's. Now, most people like me wouldn't buy any Rock CD produced past 1979, but you know who would, and you target that group, and you're pretty successful in doing so.

Botnst · #7 10-18-2003, 10:23 PM

Kuan, would you suggest that folks not segment and target consumers? Who should we ask to determine which advertisements are appropriate and which aren't. Perhaps a new federal mandate and agency? Paid for by taxing...whom?

Kuan · #8 10-18-2003, 10:28 PM

No I wouldn't suggest anything like that. It would mean the downfall of the US economy and even worse, the loss of my part time job.

mikemover · #9 10-18-2003, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Botnst
Kuan, would you suggest that folks not segment and target consumers? Who should we ask to determine which advertisements are appropriate and which aren't. Perhaps a new federal mandate and agency? Paid for by taxing...whom?

Right on, bro...Kuan is talking about more "victimization" here...Only an idiot would claim that they are a"victim" of advertising, and blame their "fat-ass-ness" on target-marketing. If I'm a drunk, is that Budweiser's fault? If I look like a bloated cow, is that McDonald's fault? Yes they are trying to sell their product, but they do not have a gun to my head, forcing me to buy and consume excessive quantities of it.

OK, it's "Adulthood 101" time again. Here we go kids...let's all say it together now: ..... "Personal responsibility" ..... "Accountability" ...... "Responsible for your own actions" .... OK, one more time...... Personal respon.................................................

mike

Kuan · #10 10-18-2003, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SP0CK
Education is key. Wake up is the call. I didn't get mine until around 28.

I only just started at 35, although I don't go all organic. I also indulge on occasion though, but this is often ofset by at least a glass of red wine

You make me feel guilty, when I was in OZ a few years back there's this candy bar called Violet Crumble. Last month I found it at Cost Plus World Market. Today I bought five.

Kuan · #11 10-18-2003, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikemover
Right on, bro...Kuan is talking about more "victimization" here...Only an idiot would claim that they are a"victim" of advertising, and blame their "fat-ass-ness" on target-marketing. If I'm a drunk, is that Budweiser's fault? If I look like a bloated cow, is that McDonald's fault? Yes they are trying to sell their product, but they do not have a gun to my head, forcing me to buy and consume excessive quantities of it.

OK, it's "Adulthood 101" time again. Here we go kids...let's all say it together now: ..... "Personal responsibility" ..... "Accountability" ...... "Responsible for your own actions" .... OK, one more time...... Personal respon.................................................

mike

I never said anything about victimization. Don't put words in my mouth. I only told you the truth about marketing and what goes on in the marketing of low cost snack food product. Frito Lay doesn't sell a billion dollars worth of chips due to pure luck.

Botnst · #12 10-18-2003, 10:53 PM

Let's assume that advertising works.

Does that not support the conservative's contention that violent movies and song lyrics promote violence; that sexually explicit movies and song lyrics promote sexual activity, etc? Also, that movies and music are targeted at specific segments of society?

How does that sit with cultural responsibility and civil liberty?

Botnst

mikemover · #13 10-18-2003, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kuan
I never said anything about victimization. Don't put words in my mouth. I only told you the truth about marketing and what goes on in the marketing of low cost snack food product. Frito Lay doesn't sell a billion dollars worth of chips due to pure luck.

I didn't put any words in your mouth. That is what your statement implies, that people are mindless automatons that will buy anything they are told to, and will consume it in ridiculous amounts, and are "victims" of advertising.....OK, wait....Many people ARE that way!

..... But that doesn't make the advertiser/manufacturer responsible for that person's actions. If I become a fatass, it will be because I ate too much food, and it will not be the fault of whomever produced that food, or whomever advertised it to me.

You're right...as a rule, companies are NOT successful by luck--food companies or otherwise....but people are also not fat and unhealthy because of "bad luck" (medical problems excepted) or because of advertising. It's not like they ate a couple of chips and a big a$$ snuck up and attached itself to them overnight! It comes from extended, long-term habits that EVERYONE is well aware of, and NO ONE is a "victim" of advertising. We are creatures of free will.

Mike

Mike

Botnst · #14 10-18-2003, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bard-ii
I lik fazt fowd it jus tast beter.

The Bardman is back!

C'mon Bard ii, what's the eye-thingy?

If you tell me that, I'll tell you why I don't properly spell-out, "Botanist". [unctious sounds of whining, begging, pleading]

Botnst

Kuan · #15 10-18-2003, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikemover
I didn't put any words in your mouth. That is what your statement implies, that people are mindless automatons that will buy anything they are told to, and will consume it in ridiculous amounts, and are "victims" of advertising.....OK, wait....Many people ARE that way!

Quite the opposite. Most people know what they want, that's why products are made to fit their needs. You think if I spend enough dollars on advertising bitter cola that people will buy it? I can list thousands of examples of failed products.