Some days the best programs on TV are commercials. A current favorite is Tea Party.
It opens with a cute little girl all dressed up like a Society Lady. She sits at an elaborate playroom tea table. Mom puts a bowl of fresh popcorn in the center.
Two very large athletes stick their heads in the playroom door. They follow their noses and reach for the popcorn. The cute girl is indignant. Waving her arms to protect the popcorn she stops them, “No, tea party only!”
The next shot shows the oversized athletes scrunched into playroom chairs. They’re dressed in bits of finery from her toy box boutique. The spunky girl serves imaginary tea as all three happily munch fresh popcorn.
The camera fades to the brand logo as a voice over hawks the product.
I switched to Public TV. Our state legislature was at work advancing the common good and protecting citizens. A statewide smoking ban was being debated.
The legislator proposing the law came prepared. She had all the facts and polls ready to hand. Secondhand smoke harmed children, made families dysfunctional and cost the state gazillion dollars.
The ‘give us liberty’ folks spoke up. OK we’ll help save the children, but how about exempting our state’s five cigar bars, keno parlors, and bars without food service. None of these places allow children.
No, no and No! The residual smoke in parents clothing could still sicken children.
This attracted the ‘guns, god and gottcha’ folks. We want to protect kids. Add some jail time for smokers who ignore the ban, that’ll get their attention.
Finally, one old bull got tired of this passionate silliness. “Let’s settle this; my amendment will outlaw the sale of tobacco products in the state, period.”
Pandemonium broke out in the sedate chamber. The Speaker quickly announced the ‘house will stand at ease.’ Power brokers rushed to surround the Old Bull. Seems the cigarette tax underwrites the state’s college football team and tobacco taxes provide equalization funding for our state’s K-12 rural schools.
The Old Bull offered a substitute amendment. Raise taxes on tobacco products and cut property taxes on land.
Proper decorum returned to the chamber.
Just wondering! Seems so long as mom keeps fresh buttered popcorn coming from the kitchen, the spunky girl can have her own tea party rules.
