Fast food restaurants seem to have figured out how to navigate through today’s horrible economy. So many of them are selling hamburgers and similar items for only a buck. Even if you buy three such sandwiches, chances are, you are paying half to one third of what you paid in the past. Of course bigger meals such as “The Baconator” can still be found on their menu. Perhaps, they are hoping that once the cheap stuff draws us in, we’ll be enticed by pricier morsels. That’s OK. I do not begrudge them any chance to make a profit.
On the other hand, one of my favorite drive-throughs is trying to pull a little stunt. No, they are not being dishonest; not exactly, but they certainly border on it.
I won’t embarrass these guys by naming the franchise, but they specialize in hot dogs, so maybe you can figure it out. Now, let me explain what they are hoping you will not figure out: A short while ago, this place had a deal called 3 for 3, meaning, any 3 items from a selected menu for only 3 dollars. After people got used to this generous, economically sound offer, the sign was changed to read “3 for $3.99.” Clever, huh? It still looks and sounds like 3 for 3, but it is actually 3 for 4. Oh sure, you can relish (no pun intended) their technical fact that the price is truly and honestly one cent less than 4 dollars, but an additional 99 cents is really an additional dollar for all intents and purposes, actually more than a dollar when you consider tax.
One must wonder how many hours faded into the night while big shot executives sat around a polished oak table deciding to dress up this sign so that upon first glance, it still kind of, sort of, looked like 3 for 3. What makes them think they can get away with such nonsense? It’s simple. They are hoping you are just that stupid.
Our president has the same hope. Have you heard the BIG news? He’s calling for a spending freeze. Whew! This was the buzz of Talk Radio and Cable News for a day or two leading up to the State of the Union address where Obama finally talked about his bold new idea more officially. And then, after going on and on about how we need to freeze spending, Obama adds a quick little disclaimer, almost as an aside: The freeze will not take place until next year! Have you noticed that we are still at the very beginning of this year? Meanwhile, Obama introduces new ideas that will call for billions of dollars in new spending. Then the freeze will come, keeping his gargantuan programs intact and yet, even then, he won’t be calling for all spending to be frozen anyway.
How does the our leader say this stuff with a straight face? Elementary, dear Watson; He, like my favorite hot dog joint, is hoping you are just that stupid.
Share this on
