If it’s true that the best measure of a society’s desires are its television commercials, I’ve recently seen a handful of ads that speak directly to contemporary America’s fears and lust.

First, not one but two commercials—one for the cell-phone sellers Car Toys, the other for some car company—luring prospective buyers with promises of free gasoline.

Second, the new Burger King commercial hyping the MEAT piled upon MEAT piled upon MEAT of their new breakfast sandwich, christened with the vaguely nauseating neologism Meat’Normous.

USA! USA!