The way O’s guests behaved when they realized that they’d unsuspectingly landed coveted spots on her “Favorite Things” show where audience members are showered with expensive gifts was nothing short of an embarrassing confirmation of the greed and materialism that exists in America. Women were crying and shaking, men were hooting and hollering, one man even knelt down between the seats to pray. Paramedics were standing by.
Needless to say, those in attendance, who were likely recalling past shows during which automobiles and other big-ticket items were given away, weren’t disappointed. Some of the gifts included cookware, clothes and shoes (and custom closets to put them in), books, 3-D televisions (with five-year Netflix memberships), and the grand prize of a seven-day cruise on the Royal Caribbean “Allure of the Seas” floating city.
Impressive, for sure, but not to the extent that it should’ve created a scene akin to what was described in the bible as the Israelites in the wilderness that were found worshipping in reckless abandon a golden calf when Moses went away to pray. They were considered wayward and focused on the wrong “things” (see photo three).
Similarly, today, coveting things is partially what has gotten us into trouble as a nation and though those people were given all those items as gifts, the attitudes that caused them to spit, cry, shake and faint are what powers overspending and peace-stealing and economy-killing debt. Such demonstrations of nirvana should only be reserved for a visitation from God. These reactions were shamefully inappropriate for receiving only material things — especially while so many are currently suffering. –painfully aware
