Okay, I have a problem and I admit it. It's a problem that sets me at odds with the current mindset of America, as well as my own financial well being.

It's advertising. Yep, that ubiquitous, inescapable, lying heartbeat of capitalism, advertising.

If advertising only did what it was originally designed for, to present a product of service of value, I’d have less trouble with it.

But the fact is, almost all advertising is targeted at our subconscious minds, our emotional brains. And those programs that make us all ache to fill a false void by consuming, are what is making our society insane.

We are constantly bombarded with words, images, and sounds directed at overriding our free will. Most contemporary ads grab hold of our emotions, and manipulate them mercilessly to achieve a not-so-hidden agenda. You know, to feed somebody's greed.

We all consciously know how little truth is contained in those messages. But our thinking minds are bypassed. We are helpless to stop the commanding impulses thrust upon us. We get lost in a sea of lies implanted deep inside.

The more difficult it is to recognize and act on truth, the harder it is to live a sane life. Politicians know this, and sell themselves as products by hitting our fear buttons. We end up with shabby, corrupt, hypocritical leaders, and wonder how it happened.

There are now so many lies and scams and spins in our society, that we get overwhelmed and give up trying to find the even a nub of truth. That's exactly the mindset big business and their politicians want us to adopt. When overwhelmed and confused, the implanted impulses automatically take over. That's how the program works.

We all know why it works, don't we? To sell us what we really don't need. And after we act on the impulse and buy, we feel empty again. Then what? The next impulse takes over, and it's ring around the rosey all over again.

I love my free will. Next to life itself, it may be God's greatest gift. While I do everything I can top keep my free will alive, it takes constant awareness. That in itself is tiring.

Don't get me wrong. I like living in this world, with all its twists, turns, and spins. But I don’t like inviting more unwanted stuff into my already wary mind.

What's a human to do?

Oh well... I'll stay as conscious as I can. It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it.

And yes, I know. There is advertising on this very page.

Maybe I really do need to lose those fifteen pounds this month. As long as it isn't fifteen pounds of grey matter.

- Arye Michael Bender