Anheuser-Busch put a full page ad in The Oklahoman (February 17, 2016; p. #A), stating: “Anheuser-Bush has invested hundreds of millions in Oklahoma and provides over 700 great jobs. Now, Senator Clark Jolley has proposed legislation, SJR68, that would force Anheuser-Busch out of Oklahoma and raise the price of beer.
With a $1.3 billion deficit in our state, shouldn’t Senator Jolley be focusing on something other than legislation that puts a company out of business in Oklahoma?” The ad further suggests: “Call Senator Jolley today at 405-521-5622 and tell him you support Anheuser-Busch and oppose higher beer prices.”
What an interesting ad! 1. It highlights a well-known cliché - “Money talks!” Big companies and state government make moves, suggest State policy, and encourage life-styles more over money than over morality! 2. Anheuser-Busch implies Senator Clark Jolley’s legislation could “force Anheuser-Busch out of Oklahoma.” That is surely suspect! It would be impressive if government legislation could so control morality, human behavior, or big business conduct. 3. It does imply that public opinion (call your Senator, etc.) has important influence on trends in even big business, money making, and community or state conduct. Each person when blended with other persons can—will—make a difference (cf. Genesis 11:1-9). Group activity does carry weight.
The most sobering part of Anheuser-Busch’s product. Their ad implies the State of Oklahoma would severely suffer great loss if they left. On May 3, 2009, The Oklahoman devotes 3 pages (1B, 3B, 4B) to the impact and price being paid because of alcohol—especially beer—and its use in our nations. In 2007, 12,988 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes (219 were killed in Oklahoma). On an average “someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes.” This information added, “Roughly three of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol related crash at some point in their lives…Beer is the drink most commonly consumed by people stopped for alcohol-impaired driving or involved in alcohol-related crashes (80 percent).”
Jesus said, “By their fruits, you shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). Do we need more of beer’s just related fruits? The best part of the Anheuser-Busch ad is the title - “Unbelievable.” It is “unbelievable” that the gullible public would promote a product that is so damaging, dangerous and destructive! But multiple TV ads, etc. prove that they do! Paul warned how some will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (II Timothy 3:13). As “in debt” as our nation is, we need morality more than money; more Bible study than beer sales!