I'm unsure why the government doesn't simply have people take turns burning piles of money live on TV 24/7. It could be an "honour", like carrying the Olympic Torch. "Hey mom, be sure to be watching the government channel at 7.30p on Friday. I'm gonna be on TV!"

Maybe they can have "specials" where a prole or two gets murdered live on TV too. They can wrap him up in an American flag and say that "he died for his country" (to watch and be entertained).