The Shoemaker Bugle

Opinion Column by Jacob Miranda

So, Valentine’s Day has arrived, and everyone is ready. Students bought flowers from ASB to send to each other. Others are going on romantic dates. Maybe even a few are wondering why they are single and contemplating the choices in their life that led them to this moment.

Now, for context, I don’t care that much about love or Valentine’s Day or things like that. If someone likes me, cool; but I’m not going to seek out a significant other. As the headline suggests, yes, I think that Valentine’s Day is a scam. Yes, I have an actual reason for saying that. And no, I’m not upset over being alone.

In my opinion, one of the biggest markets available is for Valentine’s Day, and it’s clear to see why. Imagine walking into a Target, or a Walmart, or some sort of store in the past couple of weeks. Most likely, you saw big, overhanging signs with a big Valentine’s Day section being right at the entrance. All the employees’ uniforms changed, the whole store took on a more red and white look, even the music was changed to songs about romance (though that probably doesn’t change many of the songs). And what’s that to your side, you may ask? Hallmark. So. Much. Hallmark.

You’ve got cards, you’ve got toys; heck, sometimes you see toys BUNDLED with cards. And for one little card? Anywhere from $3-10. For a card. Toys usually go for around $15. And you’ve got the Hallmark channel as well.

Please, don’t get me started on the channel.

Point being, we need action. We need to start a Hallmark boycott or something. We don’t need a big mega corporation (about $3.5 BILLION/year. I checked.) to tell me to take care of my loved ones. It’s like if President Biden told everyone to make sure to breathe every so often.

We need commercials or something. Make it like those “vote for proposition” commercials that always have a woman saying something like, “Join us on February 14th as we express our rights, and vote YES on prop 496: ELIMINATE HALLMARK.”

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.