In these troubling economic times it’s comforting to be reminded of the things in our lives that we can still count on, the small but predictable details which reassure us that the world is not yet collapsing and that the sun will rise again tomorrow.
Maybe that’s why I am heartened by the commercials for Denver’s big three purveyors of those basic commodities, cars and furniture. I’m referring of course to Dealin’ Doug, Jake Jabs and the Shagman.
Can times be that desperate in the car business if Doug is still enthusiastically hyping Mitsubishis and Kias? Nobody at Cherry Creek Dodge is looking for a bailout, nobody. Dealin’ Doug doesn’t need a corporate jet to go to D.C. — he just steps into a phone booth, dons his Superman outfit and soars away.
And then there is Jake. How long have we been watching him promote his latest line of sofas and recliners while calmly stroking the mane of tiger lounging on his lap? When you think about it, it’s practically a metaphor for confronting our fears about the economy. He is just as personable and upbeat as ever and his avuncular demeanor reinforces our hope that if we all work together, we will weather this thing and emerge a little smarter for the next time bubble mentality tempts us. If American Furniture has a great deal on dinettes this weekend, how bad can it really be?
Rocky’s Autos’ cherubic Shagman and his unlikely sidekicks, Officer O’Dell and Audra, have been entertaining us for years with mindless vignettes, which always seem to climax with the purchase of a really inexpensive, clean used car. True, I’ve never quite grasped the juxtaposing of a guileless pitchman, a black cop and a no-nonsense blond but oh, what the heck.
If these guys are touting their deals as usual, isn’t it reasonable to believe that prosperity is just around the corner or certainly no further than I-25 at 104th. Sure, money’s tight, but they feel our pain. They have terms with no payments till AIG retires its government loan — or the next Ice Age, whichever comes first.
Recessions are as much about our state of mind as they are about the state of the economy. Roosevelt’s “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” addressed that aspect of human nature head on. In these troubled times, the ads you love to complain about can be reassuring.
Remember, life as we know it has not ended; it’s just been put on hold.
The next time you see Dealin’ Doug in that outrageous costume or the Shagman with his itinerant troupe or Jake and his docile felines, think about Lehman Brothers, Levitz Furniture or Mervyn’s. They’ve all disappeared while our three icons of the American entrepreneurial spirit just keep plugging along. And while you’re at it, maybe you should go check out their inventories, just in case there’s a car or bedroom set that you didn’t realize you needed.
Andy Youtz lives in Denver. EDITOR’S NOTE: This online-only guest commentary has not been edited. Guest commentary submissions of up to 650 words may be sent to openforum@denverpost.com.
