We've become numb to the crass commercialization of America, but here's an instance that struck me as particularly painful when I read about it in this morning's USA Today.

I'm talking about the Southwest Airlines July 4th Parade, which turns out to be only one of the highlights of a week-long celebration of Independence Day sponsored by Sunoco.

And where will this confluence of American history and corporate promotion occur? None other than Philadelphia, the birthplace of our nation.

I wouldn't be surprised if the parade features a Ben Franklin character walking up Broad Street, his colonial outfit replete with NASCAR-like corporate logos.