After all the hype about something “big” happening on Oprah’s season premiere, what a disappointment to find that her big idea was to give away cars to the audience (“Carmaker, audience both win on `Oprah.'” Page 1, Sept. 14). Here we have one of the most powerful and popular women in America, someone respected enough and wealthy enough to make some kind of social intervention, and instead of announcing that she was funding a research foundation or opening a school or becoming a lobbyist for women’s issues on Capitol Hill, Oprah promotes conspicuous consumption.
All those women (many, no doubt, financially secure enough to buy their own cars) screaming and crying and hugging their Pontiacs was a sad commentary on what women want at a time when women’s votes could determine the presidential election.
