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"Television is cotton candy for the mind." Brian Tracy
I have a hard time getting worked up about the news on TV. Living in Chicago, I pay attention to the important stuff – the weather, which helps me plan what I'm wearing every day – and the sports – gotta know what the Cubs, Bears and the Bulls are doing (usually losing, but I don't take that personally anymore).
Have you noticed what is considered news by television producers? Let’s take a look at the hot topics that show up almost every day on the tube and their underlying messages:
The world: Terrorists. Civil wars. Genocide. Poverty. Hunger. Neighbor threatening neighbor with nukes – we're all just one itchy finger away from being blown to Kingdom Come.
Politics: At best, politicians are bozos. At the core, they're sleazy, self-serving and ultimately corrupt. The majority should be impeached. You can't trust any of them, and our democracy is at the mercy of their hands.
Business: Corporations are trying to sell you poorly made stuff you don't need so they can pay their top execs humongous salaries, then lay off thousands of hardworking, honest employees to insure their bonuses. Let's face it – they're gonna rip you off.
The Markets: Everyone's investments are ready to drop like a rock. The markets are never stable, so you'd be a fool to invest. If you have, you'll soon be broke. Welcome to the next Great Depression.
Health: Heart attacks, cancer, obesity, AIDS – some incurable disease is coiled like a cobra, waiting to strike. You're gonna die a lot sooner than you and your loved ones thought.