Martha Blah Blah

Susan Meddaugh, the author of Martha Blah Blah, either on purpose or inadvertently satired the state of the United States economy. her story of a dog who eats Alphabet Soup, but instead of the letters going to his stomach they are redirected to his head, thus giving Martha the ability to speak actual words. As Martha creates buzz around her hometown by speaking and interacting with other animals she begins to generate love for other animals. As all this is going on Granny Flo, the CEO of the Alphabet soup company comes to the conclusion that less letters equals less expenses and more revenue. The irony of a little old grandma concerned with profit margin and a dog speaking with half letters mimics the economy of today. By crippling necessary letters (raising taxes, slashing health care and benefits) the dog (society and average Joe) are unable to stay in communication (competition) with the humans (higher society, upper class). As the dog begins to be unable to interact with his human family he becomes ashamed and almost gives up on his new found ability. The idea of a talking dog has been thought up in the past, but the greedy granny cutting letters to raise profits all the while the dog persevering on like an average Joe surprised me.