Democracy FOR SALE

The Corporate Managed Society

As commercial power and influence continue to strengthen and spread throughout the world many democratic governments are moving from their intended purpose of servants to their people. Citizen discontent is on the rise, and if the trend is allowed to continue in this manner, long term serious negative implications lie ahead for the world and its inhabitants.

Consumerism in the affluent areas of the globe is rampant even as pollution runs out of control and nature is being trashed. And the 'good life' is not so good for the many who have not benefited from the expansion in commerce and have little, or live in poverty. Nor is it necessarily an achievement for those who have been mesmerized into acquiring material goods recklessly and are willing to sacrifice their time and principles, their health and well being in return.

In countries where commerce has too much influence in the nation's affairs, business has become the primary concern of politicians, their citizens secondary. This evolving business - government - citizen social structure increasingly results in corporate success and satisfaction, and people's dissatisfaction if they are not connected.

Corporations are strongly influencing the way we live; the clothes, cars, homes and other products we acquire, the services we use and how we interact socially. As they grow bigger and more powerful and extend around the globe can they eventually hold more power than governments? Are we near there now?

In competing very aggressively with each other for market share, business ethic has deteriorated badly. Sly and dishonest, powerful marketing spreads into every corner of our daily lives. It is continually in our faces convincing us to buy more, even though most of us have more than enough of so many things. Even though the purchases so often turn out to be useless waste providing no social value and at nature's expense.

This persuade-consume routine has turned so many of us into materialistic apostles. It degrades civilization and nature as it balloons unabated in the richer countries - even while billions live in extreme poverty. And how will the emerging economies emerge? Mahatma Gandhi expressed concern long ago; "God forbid that India should ever take to industrialism after the manner of the west... keeping the world in chains. If our nation took to similar economic exploitation, it would strip the world bare like locusts."

But the consumption expansion has great strength behind it with the powerful business conglomerates pushing their agenda onward. They have well established methods for continuing and expanding their influence on the nation's affairs, and now have their efforts directed toward the entire world.

Lobbying is influencing in the decisions made by legislators and officials in the government. Corporations have money and they stack the cards in their favor. But bribing or coercing is wrong, is bad ethic and is harming society.

Control of the media by business interests is a most worrisome social development. Ownership of news, advertising and other programming is a powerful force used to direct consumer habits and social trends. News stories can be greatly influenced by the corporations that own the media or support it with advertising contracts, and they can reject and promote issues to their advantage. They can also persuade on topics and promote products and services with massive heavily funded advertising campaigns steering trends in a direction where it will be of the most benefit to business and the bottom line.

The multinational corporation conducts business in other countries but for the main purpose of a return of profits to the home country, the company's coffers, and the shareholders' pockets. It is easy to see how the foreign state, its environment and the workers could be taken advantage of or abused. The head office can disassociate itself from humane and environmental problems when they create a new foreign company.

This is not what democracy is supposed to be yet it is difficult to see a positive change in direction and a lessening of the corporate power in our lives. Public attention to this deteriorating state of social well being has been minimal because it is already so deeply entrenched; we feel helpless against this strong tide and have become complacent. Corporations and their corporate media will resist and even confront positive changes if this would result in less profit.

Public attitudes can change and bring forth positive ideas and actions if the media bias can be restructured and new strong public media established. And perhaps the internet will be the source for information and action plans to reverse a worsening social sickness. As a sign that this could happen there are numerous social advocacy websites and blogs appearing which could create public demand for positive change. But will the internet freedom be lost as other freedoms have?

Hopefully, somehow, the quality and ethic of business people and politicians will take a positive turn. The enacting and enforcing of strong legislation to benefit all citizens in a healthy and just manner must be the standard.

Unrestrained, where will the corporate giants take future generations? So much has already been lost.

"The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedients, and by parts." - Edmund Burk


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The Great Advertising Bubble

Advertising is everywhere. In print publications, TV commercials and infomercials, spam and junk mail, telephone marketing, product labels, massively scattered in sport venues, and increasingly into what should be our valuable public spaces.

Corporate marketing is so very invasive as at every turn it can be in our faces, infiltrating through our eyes and ears and establishing residence in our minds for very many years. The average North American is exposed to hundreds or much more advertisements per day. This has influenced us for so many years that many of us may not have considered how it has affected our lifestyles and society as a whole. The young are virtually swamped with instructions on what and how much to buy, and how they should live socially, and from such an early age.

This social manipulation designed by the corporate world has to go down in history as a great failing of democracy.

No wonder we live in a materialistic society - we are programmed to want more, of many things many times each day; and the ads work their wonders. How has this come about? In earlier years advertising was used to introduce new products and services or significant improvements to existing ones, and in a less intense and more ethical manner. Over many decades it has become the competitive, persuasive marketing tool that it is today. Where once consumer conversations played the important part in a product's success, the strongest and shrewdest marketing campaign too often wins the battle for sales today.

Consider the average citizen's daily exposures to advertising.

Television program commercials have increased in intensity and as a percentage of viewing time and movies will often step up exposure towards the end when the viewer is locked in. Bottom of screen ads are beginning to appear in programming and this trend will extend, perhaps through an entire program, as viewers remain complacent. Children will often insist on watching the commercials; they're cleverly done and entertaining, but they are also influential and addictive. The kids need help and not only from the parents but from our politicians who can fix this if the desire is there.

Local news broadcasts are stretched thinly and cheaply and inserted with many commercials along the way. Some TV services have a channel with program listings which rotate very quickly and take up only 1/3 of the screen area. The remaining 2/3 of the space features loud, distracting and annoying sales pitches that overpower the listings. Most commercials are intrusive and louder than the regular programming and family conversations.

I won't listen to the radio station that plays my favorite tunes. Between songs they not only run ads but keep repeating the name of the station over and over between every song, often two or three times.

Clothing. How gullible are consumers? Pretty easy, some, when they will pay extra to walk around with brand advertising on their clothes. Labels are proudly displayed on clothing because manufacturers have convinced many that this will raise their status or improve self-esteem and perhaps show that the wearer is clever, has good taste and belongs. How strong is this artificial image enhancing trend? The example that had me gape in amazement was a baby sleeper with huge brand letters taking up the entire front. This is insane! Unbelievable that this could be purchased by a mature adult or that this is even permitted!

Retail in-store promotions while shopping often include vocal nagging and now the use of overhead persuasion monitors is on the rise at the checkout or elsewhere. A recent twist is a monitor at the checkout registering your grocery tally and prices as they are rung up; a great idea. Half of the screen display is, you guessed it, product promotion.

In-your-face store displays and sale signs get bigger and spread out like dandelions. SALE used to indicate a bargain. Now it's SALE SALE SALE SALE multiplied and scattered all over the store. And these or similar displays might be there every week and perhaps no bargain at all. In-store marketing is captured advertising, as long as you remain in the store.

More serious though, store food product packages carry impressive, often deceptive ads on their labels, to encourage shoppers to drop them in their baskets. How do you feel about splashy cartoon attractions directed at kids, on food packaging that contains sugar laden cereal?

Big sports require big money to pay big salaries and fans pay for this in big ticket prices, and in a great absorption of advertising. It is stunning to see the ads inside an arena, repeated many times around the sides, on the uniforms and playing surface, above the seats, on the scoreboard. Hockey games for one are halted to allow for more television commercials for the at-home fans.

Public space belongs to the public; what is adverting doing on our park benches, our buildings and transportation? Politicians are selling us out when they relinquish our property to commerce. Some governments not only go along with this marketing madness but act like their greedy corporate buddies do and actively bolster their gambling revenue with active exaggeration campaigns.

"Your Dreams Can Come True . . . $30,000,000 JACKPOT . . . Get Rich Now . . . !"

Political campaigning by today's representatives is mind boggling and would-be candidates continually reach new lows as negative electioneering takes prominence over plain old, exaggerated and fictitious, facts and promises. They are chucking ethics out the window like profit hungry merchandisers.

Sales flyers and other junk mail are delivered to our homes in enormous quantities. Take notice that many items in a sales page may not be on sale at all if they do not specify a discount. Inserts often contain sub inserts of different sizes that try to fall out when you open them, to get your attention. Repetition in advertising sells and you can get exactly the same insert a week later with only the date changed.

Internet ads are always looking for new ways to get in your face. Old style pop-ups may now appear when you mouse over words. Top and sidebar attention grabbing images jump up and down so you must notice. The ad screen area percentage keeps increasing with a wider or a second column, or with a deeper or a second row. Some news or mail services require clicking through one or more propaganda pages to get to your destination.

Spam is always trying to worm its way into the home through the PC but fortunately can be controlled quite well with software but caution is still required. A previous PC I bought was a cheapie but that was no excuse for them to load the stupid thing with advertising. Just imagine - you didn't even need to go online to get pop-ups.

All cities are not all that beautiful in the same way, but some could be a whole lot prettier with lowered ad exposure. Huge ugly billboards, business signs, advertising on buses and bus stops, public benches and buildings does not make a pretty picture.

It's nearly impossible to avoid commercial promotions from infecting us; they are too strong a force. Unless we live in the deep woods or dark cave they will likely creep into every corner of our lives unabated, coming in different forms from many directions. In your face marketing is wide reaching and always ready to occupy more of our lives. There are many billions of dollars spent on advertising each year and we are paying for it in money, and also most dearly with a loss in true values in our lifestyles.

Advertising is always there, working relentlessly and herding us along the trail to a world garbage dump. The reason for this marketing tidal wave? Competition for sales and profits. There are increasingly more companies with more products and services competing for the same money.

It's weird that we are generally so predictable as far as advertisers are concerned. They simply have to attract with entertainment, noise, shock, repetition, and other attention grabbing tactics. It could be very annoying but it will likely reside in our heads for a while. It's a battle for our minds and we are losing much of our natural desires to live happy and valued lives.

Singularly, intrusive marketing incidences are of little concern but widespread and continual they affect us personally and socially in a negative and unnatural way. I wish our governments would do something about the state of commercial marketing. And the good guys in the business - they should speak up and demonstrate ethics in commerce. Who knows but this might be a profitable business strategy and government could offer incentives to encourage it.

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Does Business Govern the World?

Civilization along with our natural world have serious problems.
Planet and social deterioration have accelerated in recent times, fueled by expanding commerce and over consumption. Driven by commerce's need for increased earnings, expansion marches on, sputtering from time to time. The predicament worsens as the buying frenzy spreads into every aspect of our lives.

To what end, our insatiable binge? A generation from now will cars be as big as rooms? Houses as big as castles? Will people act as programmed robots? If the mammoth enterprise machine is derailed will there be widespread social unrest?

Perhaps we will have had enough somewhere along the way and begin living more natural, simpler, and happier lives. But the chances for a peaceful and kinder humanity do not appear to be coming anytime soon.

An addictive 'buy' disease has mutated throughout many cultures orchestrated by creative, forceful and protracted corporate encouragements. There is over-consumption and great waste in one half of the world even while billions do without or are living in desperation elsewhere. Social stress continues to increase as marketing efforts intensify and push us onwards - to desire and acquire yet more - for the good of commerce.

One of the many adverse effects of our lifestyles is that the environment is deteriorating at an ever increasing rate. Unreasonable and expanding consumption of unneeded goods and services is a social affliction that is destroying the planet. This needs correcting before it is too late, and in a sensible and peaceful manner.

The rising emerging economies are increasing the environmental problems but mostly are playing catch-up towards a basic standard of living. While they need to do this in a more sustainable manner than we have demonstrated, better living conditions are long overdue.

Some of the negative consequences of our 'progressive' commerce-consumption social expansion have been increases in corporate crime, family anxieties, consumer mistrust, pollution and a lowering of social values.

The prosperous nations have set the stage for the present scene and they should now set an example with strong commitments to solving these problems. But it will be tough going as companies will always need to maximize profit and need to sell more, not less to do so. How do we get detached from this entrenched lifestyle of always striving to accumulate things, so much of which is wasteful, when we are effectively and strongly persuade to keep it up?

This free enterprise system needs a redesign.
The cure that is in order will eventually occur because there are so many things that we can do as long as we retain and improve on our democratic society. But we must not be complacent and expect positive change to take place on its own.

We need to educate ourselves and be more aware of these existing conditions and the changes that are needed, and to take some positive action. Complaining when things are wrong and discussing them is a basic requirement, and that is easy because there is much to complain about in the increasingly aggressive ways of business. We can talk consumerism with our family and friends and set an example by buying those things that we need, not what we are persuaded to need. Let's express to the corporate world and to our politicians that marketing practices that are harmful to us or our planet are no longer acceptable.

The internet can be a big help in achieving a more just and satisfying society for all citizens of the world, if that does not also come under tight corporate control. Fixing these problems will have great benefits in the end, such as more family and leisure time, happier lifestyles and a preservation of nature.

Of great concern are the reduced manufacturing, marketing, distribution, retailing, and employment if change is not made slowly and is not very carefully thought out. We have dug ourselves into a deep pit.

Yet is there a choice? One way or another, gentler and kinder lifestyles are in the future and will someday be the new trend. If left to run untouched the huge profit-consumption engine will run out of gas and eventually break up. Environmental problems will have grown too huge to fix.

What about ideas?
New paths must be taken under a government that is disconnected from corporate influence.

Legislation to restrict advertising to an ethical and basic form to be used for the introduction of new or truly improved products and services could be a great start. With word of mouth providing the influence for purchases there would be much less consumption of unneeded, unhealthy and anti-environment merchandise.

An active government complaints department would work wonders, not only to accept citizens' input but to actively encourage it, with newsletter, website, and yes - marketing.

I can hear accusations about restricting freedoms coming from those enjoying their benefits from commerce. But free enterprise should not allow the harming of planet and citizens for profit. Immoral methods such as the programming of kids and so many other disgraceful merchandising methods cannot be part of a just society. Unrestricted, corporations will find new ways to capture the minds of citizens for a life of consuming their wares.

A dilemma of our times.
At some time in the future people of the world will live more wisely, happily and justly. But will the change will be harsh or gradual? Business and government are so intertwined it's hard to imagine much improvement at this time. It is only by a swelling of citizens' demand for a better society will this begin in earnest.

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Gambling: A Sick Greedy Tax

Grampa's Ethical News Today
Government greedily markets lotteries and casino gambling.
Little concern shown for the harm and destruction caused.

Money is the root to all evil. A very old saying but how true today is this adage from the past?

In these highly commercialized times, as businesses viciously connive for consumers' money, there are many varied examples of evil marketing practices. The manners in which many corporations attack consumers for sales now appears to be near bottom on the ethic scale as they regularly display a lack of basic genuine fairness.

Just when this gluttonous trend seems to have gone far enough a new low occurs. In this case it's the many government bodies that leave morals behind and resort to new ways in which to increase revenue through the spread of gambling.

Why do these elected representatives of their people actively promote gambling as a source of revenue when it is known to be so harmful to so many? It is common knowledge that gambling can be addictive and harmful, and can destroy or take lives, yet they want that revenue.

For their citizens?

MONEY TRAP CASINO
SPECIAL SENIORS DAYS
Laugh - Have Fun - Play
Free lunch while you win
Know your limits play within them

Gambling might have a place in society for people who want to play games of chance but it should not be marketed as a benefit. Ideally any gambling should be non-profit with the participants playing with and winning or losing money to each other. At the very least it should not be heavily marketed by the country's caretakers, as is now happening in this money mad society.

As a young man I played poker with friends and on my first job in a mining camp, every night was poker night. I left camp with a decent net result but there was another young man that was much less fortunate. On payday he always wanted to get the game started but was broke two days later. The foreman finally held his check back until the next float plane arrived, fired and sent him home, for his own good.

He was addicted. So are many that traipse into the casinos and lottery ticket booths, and the government advertisements scream out to come back for more, sucker! When the government reports the gambling income from lotteries and casinos they should balance the books and show the loss by players, their citizens, and their families.

Through marketers they use sly techniques borrowed from business shysters to entice more playing. Glossy lottery commercials constantly pop up showing just how easy and wonderful it will be to win an enormous amount of money.

"Play now and get super rich". Perhaps broken gamblers would like to get back the money that they have lost but the odds are stacked against them. They need help not encouragement to play more!

As if to justify this often cruel business promotion they post warnings, "Gambling can lead to financial and legal problems, loss of career and family, and other serious issues." No kidding! Well cease and desist!

And, "Call this help line if you have a gambling problem." But it's too late if you have lost everything!

You might expect this sleeze from telecommunications or credit marketers, but from our leaders? What is wrong with them? What is wrong with a system that attracts these people to manage our affairs? Government is supposed to be there for the good of the people. If these actions are acceptable perhaps our politicians could introduce the pressure selling of alcohol, tobacco and light drugs. But, "Know your limit. Drink, smoke and get high within it."

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

Resources

Psychologist Stanton Peele investigates, thinks, and writes about addiction.
Is Gambling an Addiction Like Drug and Alcohol Addiction?
As compulsive gambling and problem gamblers attract continued and increasing attention — due to state reliance on gambling for revenues and government and private marketing of the gambling experience — conceptions of compulsive, or addictive, gambling have evolved....

Robert Fulford in The National Post November 2008. Convincing research indicates that about one in 20 gamblers is an addict or in danger of becoming one -- "a problem gambler," as sociology says, or "a degenerate gambler," as Mafia characters on TV say. Commercials for Lotto 6/49 and other scams present gamblers as happy, fun-loving folk, but addictive gamblers live stress-filled and often wretched lives. Read more...

Quebec settles gambling addiction lawsuit. A multi-million dollar settlement has been ironed out between Loto-Québec and thousands of problem gamblers over the cost of treating their addiction. The agreement settles a class action lawsuit brought against Loto-Québec by nearly 120,000 gamblers in 2001. Read more...

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

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Does Commerce Govern Society?

Social justice is not keeping pace with world wide business expansion. As corporations expand globally the world's natural environment and so many of its people are neglected or abused.

The big question: Where is government?

More questions need answers.
Certain foods contain additives that are known to be harmful to life.
Why is the mass marketing of unhealthy products allowed? To kids?

The cutting of trees is draining the life blood of the natural world.
Is allowing the mass mailing of junk advertising crazy or what?

Deception and other sly business tactics are unjust but widely used.
Traps in advertising and contracts are common, costly and mean.
Where are the lawmakers and enforcers?

Over-production and excessive-consumption are destroying the globe.
Why then, all day, every day the constant brainwashing, BUY MORE?

Sub-contracting production to inhumane and child labor is cruel.
Put the CEO's behind bars, or on the production line?

Gambling is addictive causing much personal distress and suicides.
How can a government greedily market lotteries and casinos?

Sport event tickets are exorbitant while players' salaries are astronomical.
Corporations gobble up season tickets, often to be used for mini bribes.
Can't we make this work better for fans and families?

After years of expanding business prosperity the rich-poor gap widens.
Many are destitute or starving. Many accumulate mountains of money.
What is democratic about this?

Working long hours at tough jobs takes from the family and life in general,
Why aren't we in richer societies living easier, simpler and happier?

Advertising is the engine, everywhere, everyday, training young minds.
Is imposing restrictions on useless or harmful advertising undemocratic?

There is so much wrong happening in our commercialized world with the continually declining corporate ethic. There is deceptive marketing, shock advertising, small print, brand bullying, targeting children, bypassing the needy, environmental destruction... And society trends right along with increasing materialism and artificial lifestyles.

Corporate conscience, true government for the people, and social values seem to have crested in recent years. Perhaps meaningful change lies ahead. Perhaps it is time for a rewrite of democracy and free enterprise, with a more just and humane bias.

But with many politicians rated near the bottom of the trust scale, hoping for positive change any time soon does not seem practical. Is it possible to reverse direction and alter the political environment such that politicians are there, not for themselves but solely for the good of the people? Is a grass roots movement in the future?

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Social Improvement Movement

We have world and social problems.

There is a growing concern regarding the polarized relationships of business-consumer, wealthy-poor, and an increasing commercial bias by governments.

The more commerce that is generated the more we consume unwisely resulting in massive waste. The false prosperity we have enjoyed has created a merry-go-round run amok and a degradation of true social well being.

There is evidence of increasing interest in bringing more attention to these worldly ailments and to make things better. But the voices for positive change have been extremely week compared to the massively funded corporate promotions persuading consumers to buy more. Private broadcasting media and advertising by business are the engines used, along with governments that are apparently content about it all.

There is public broadcasting with programs like Bill Moyers Journal on PBS that work for positive change. Notably in recent years numerous websites and blogs are appearing that are devoted to world issues and advocating change. They bring news and articles on poverty, the environment, corporate influence, human and consumer rights, government and corruption.

As more of us read and get interested in social improvement the better will be the chances of turning this titanic into safe waters.

A few examples of websites devoted to making this a better world.

Global Issues Social, political, economic and environmental issues that affect us all. I respect this site and the huge humanitarian effort Anup Shah has put into this large collection of detailed articles pertaining to our world problems.

Common Dreams A popular powerful online voice for change in America with millions of monthly readers. News and articles. "We are writers. Activists. Everyday citizens. We are hundreds of thousands strong." Read the posts and submit your own comments.

Shaping Youth A forum about media and marketing's effect on kids. Targeting kids is mean and conscripts them for life.. This is an important issue and needing immediate attention.

Democracy Now The web version of Democracy Now! A national, daily, independent, award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. Pioneering the largest public media collaboration in the U.S. "For true democracy to work, people need easy access to independent, diverse sources of news and information."

New American Dream Helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. News articles and blog.

TreeHugger is the leading media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream. More than 157,000,000 modern, green pages served! Visit their forum and get in on the discussions.

Green Living Ideas provides ideas, tips, and information to help you improve the environmental sustainability of every aspect of your life.

Care2 An online community: green living, health, human rights, the environment.

Center for Media and Democracy An independent, non-profit, non-partisan, public interest organization. CMD's mission is to promote transparency and an informed debate by exposing corporate spin and government propaganda and by engaging the public in collaborative, fair and accurate reporting.

These are only a handful from a longer list of related resources and in the sidebar of this page check out Grampa Ken Reads Blogs.

But there is still much more out there, so start up your search engine and find those sites, blogs and forums with topics you feel will fix things that matter most to you and yours.

Related posts about our society

Rich-Poor Gap Very Wide

The rich-poor gap is a sad and unacceptable condition in world societies.

The inequality in revenue between the wealthiest and poorest citizens appears to have widened out of proportion. The difference might be a bit more acceptable if there were not so many suffering at the lower end of the range. It's just too easy to acquire more when at the top and too difficult when struggling to survive at the bottom. It's wrong and hurtful.

Solutions are not easy at this stage in our established enterprising society. Do you raise the minimum wage to provide reasonable and healthy basic necessities. Put a cap on the very highest, often absurd incomes? Adjust taxes? Include employee ownership shares where possible? All these?

There is more concern about this recently and hopefully something will come from this.

Americans See Widening Rich-Poor Income Gap as Cause for Alarm
Americans overwhelmingly say the growing gap between rich and poor has become a serious national concern, a sentiment that may bolster Democrats' plans to narrow the income divide when they take control of Congress. Almost three-quarters of Americans believe inequality is a major issue, versus 24 percent who don't think so, according to a new Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll. Most of the concern is among Democrats and independent voters, though a majority of Republicans -- 55 percent -- also called the situation serious.
Read more . . .

Examining The Rich-Poor Gap and the Social & Solidarity Economy Option in the U.S. By Abra Pollock
While the U.S. economy grew 160 percent between 1973 and 2005, those in the top 0.01 income bracket saw their income levels rise by 250 percent. During this same period, the average real income for the bottom 90 percent actually dropped 11 percent. With an economic status quo that doesn't 'work' well for anyone but the very rich, other practices that may seem less conventional can bolster and protect the livelihood of the rest, experts explained. Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), for example, do exactly what they sound like they do: ESOPs transfer ownership of a company from an individual proprietor or group to the employees who work in that company. One such firm is W.L. Gore & Associates, the company that produces Gore-Tex material, among other products.
More . . .

Income Gaps Hit Record Levels in 2006, New Data Show
Rich-Poor Gap Tripled Between 1979 and 2006 New data from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) show that in 2006, the top 1 percent of households had a larger share of the nation’s after-tax income, and the middle and bottom fifths of households had smaller shares, than in any year since 1979, the first year the CBO data cover. As a result, the gaps in after-tax incomes between households in the top 1 percent and those in the middle and bottom fifths were the widest on record. The data reveal starkly uneven income growth over recent decades. Between 1979 and 2006, real after-tax incomes rose by 256 percent — or $863,000 — for the top 1 percent of households, compared to 21 percent — or $9,200 — for households in the middle fifth of households and 11 percent — or $1,600 — for households in the bottom fifth. (See Figure 1, next page.) In 2006, the average household in the top 1 percent had an income of $1.2 million, up $63,000 just from the prior year; this $63,000 gain is nearly two times the total income of the average middle-income household.
Full report

Public Space Advertising

Advertising has slowly and steadily increased prominence in our daily lives. With each passing year there is more exposure to advertising from the regular sources such as TV, newspapers, web spam, junk mail etc. Much of this we can choose to turn off or discard.

But it continually worsens as the armies of marketing find new ways to get into every corner of our lives, to capture more space in our minds. This is an invasion that steers society in the wrong direction.

Advertising is increasingly showing up in public spaces that were once free of paid propaganda. Governments at various levels are selling our precious space for revenue, often destroying the natural view. It's appearing boldly in areas such parks, public entertainment centers, transit and so on, carrying commercial messages and corporate logos.

This public space belongs to the public. If we are being cheaply sold out to business by our politicians and other public figures we need to speak out.

The Media Awareness Network is home to one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of media education and internet literacy resources. They express deep concerns of the widespread expansion of advertising that is surrounding us.

No, it's not your imagination. The amount of advertising and marketing North Americans are exposed to daily has exploded over the past decade; studies show, that on average we see 3,000 ads per day. At the gas pumps, in the movie theater, in a washroom stall, during sporting events—advertising is impossible to avoid. Read more - Advertising: It's Everywhere.

The Anti-Advertising Agency website is also dedicated to raising awareness in advertising's invasion of our public space:

Through long-term commercial saturation, it has become implicitly understood by the public that advertising has the right to own, occupy and control every inch of available space. The steady normalization of invasive advertising dulls the public’s perception of their surroundings, re-enforcing a general attitude of powerlessness toward creativity and change, thus a cycle develops enabling advertisers to slowly and consistently increase the saturation of advertising with little or no public outcry."