Ed. Note: The following
was printed as a letter to the editor of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. It is
self-explanatory. Ads similar to the one addressed below are also running on TV and radio.
For another very interesting (though less humorous) letter about the ads, click here. For the ensuing furor over the
following letter, go to our Guest Page.
Tacky Ad
April 24, 1997
To the editor:
I am writing in response to the unbelievably tacky propaganda ad
encouraging us to call our legislators and ask them to pay our state bureaucrats more then
(sic) they already get.
It's the half page ad with a touching photo of a young boy looking off
into the distance while his mommy bravely goes over the family budget, and little brother
looks on. I'm not sure where the father is, probably working the graveyard shift to keep
Top Ramen on the table, as we all know how notoriously underpaid our state employees are.
I thought it would only be courteous to address this photogenic young
boy's concerns, as he spent all that time writing it.
For starters, save your mommy the $1,011.15 you have been spending each time you place
this ad in the papers. I don't know where you got that kind of money young man, but you
should turn the rest over to your parents right this minute.
If that doesn't set your family free from the jaws of starvation, you might suggest to
your mommy that she sell the chandelier, the china cabinet, and the nice looking wood
dining room table set that I see in the photo. You see young man, I pay your mommy's
salary, but I do not have all those fancy things. Her selling them will let her buy you a
bowl of gruel, and lessen the resentment that people like me feel for people like her.
Start smoking. With the dollar a pack tax your mommy's bosses want, this will be like
giving her a raise.
Begging for money on behalf of your mommy is wrong. Not only did she tell you not to
worry, but some cynics might get the impression that she put you up to this, cruelly
exploiting you for a quick buck. I know you wouldn't want us to think that.
Finally, you can have your mommy call 452-HELP for a complete list of soup lines.
Good luck young man!
Sincerely,
Hugh Cleary
North Pole
ITA disclaimer: Editorials by various authors in our
humor section have been reprinted for your entertainment. The authors are not
necessarily members, nor do they necessarily agree with the philosophy, aims, or
endorsements of the Interior Taxpayers' Association.
Candidate endorsements on
this Web Site are not authorized, paid for, nor approved by any candidate. ITA,
as a non-profit organization, does not give money to candidates. ITA is solely
responsible for the content of everything appearing on these pages unless
otherwise noted. We believe in the truth and are proud of our research. We stand
ready to back up anything we say here, with the originating documents if
necessary. However, we will not be responsible for inaccuracies found in other's
documentation.
Paid for by The
Interior Taxpayers' Association, Inc. PO Box 71892, Fairbanks AK 99707,
Donna Gilbert, President
ITA Phone (907) 456-8031.
Last updated
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Web Site maintained by
ITA volunteers. Please send
E-mail to
for problems found or
suggestions.