GMAT考试写作指导：Issue写作范文七一

　　71. Has commercialism become too widespread, particularly in schools, churches, and

　　other places which traditionally have been safe havens from commercialism? If so, does

　　the government have a responsibility to curb the problem? The answer to both questions,

　　in my view, is no.

　　There is no evidence that commercialism is creeping into our churches.

　　Admittedly, some commercial activity is present in our schools. Food service is

　　increasing outsourced to fast-food chains; a plethora of goods and services is sold in

　　college bookstores and advertised in their school newspapers; and students serve as

　　walking billboards for the companies whose logos appear on clothing. However, this

　　kind of commercialism does not interfere with school activities; to the contrary, in the

　　first two cases they contribute to the efficient functioning of the organization.

　　Outsourcing food service, for example, is a cost-cutting measure which provides

　　additional funding for teaching materials, facilities, and teacher salaries.

　　I do agree that, in general, commercialism is becoming more widespread, and that

　　one of the byproducts may be a decline in the quality of our culture. Electronic

　　billboards now serve as backdrops for televised sporting events, and Web sites must sell

　　advertising space to justify maintenance costs. Does this mean that government should

　　step in and ban the sale of products in certain venues? No. This would require that

　　government make ad hoc, and possibly arbitrary, decisions as to which products may be

　　sold or advertised at which places and events. These are value judgments that are best

　　left to individual schools, churches, and other organizations. Moreover, the expense of

　　enforcing the regulations may well outweigh the cultural benefits, if any.

　　In sum, while commercialism is undeniably becoming more widespread, it is

　　minimally intrusive and works to the net benefit of society. As a matter of public policy,

　　therefore, government should not attempt to regulate the extent of commercialism.