I have heard all the hubbub about Mike Huckabee’s subliminal ad, which I thought was hogwash. But I hadn’t heard about Hilary’s ad where she give us many “great gifts” (including universal healthcare, universal pre-k, etc) until I was reading Jonah Goldberg’s piece at National Review. He pointed out the obvious point to me…. Gifts are given freely and cost the receiver nothing and that isn’t the case with these things. As a matter of fact I think they could bankrupt us. Jonah went on to quote one of my favorites (both the book and the author) in comparing the candidates, P. J. O’Rourke’s Parliament of Whores.

“I have only one firm belief about the American political system, and that is this: God is a Republican and Santa Claus is a Democrat,” wrote the indispensable O’Rourke.

“God” he explained, is “a stern fellow, patriarchal rather than paternal and a great believer in rules and regulations. He holds men strictly accountable for their actions. He has little apparent concern for the material well being of the disadvantaged. … God is unsentimental. It is very hard to get into God’s heavenly country club.”

P. J. continues: “Santa Claus is another matter. … He’s nonthreatening. He’s always cheerful. And he loves animals. He may know who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, but he never does anything about it. He gives everyone everything they want without the thought of a quid pro quo.”

“Santa Claus is preferable to God in every way but one,” O’Rourke concluded. “There is no such thing as Santa Claus.”

I have included both commercials so you can get the feel.