"With the supermarket as our temple and the singing commercial as our litany, are we likely to fire the world with an irresistible vision of America's exalted purpose and inspiring way of life?"

Adlai Stevenson's quote is a critique of contemporary American society. He is recommending that the modern-day American way of life is not motivating or purposeful, but rather is concentrated on materialism and consumerism. He is mentioning that the supermarket has actually become a temple, and the singing commercials have become our litany. He is asking if this is the kind of society that will influence the world with a vision of America's function and way of life. He is suggesting that the present state of American society is not motivating or purposeful, and that it requires to be changed in order for America to be seen as a leader on the planet. He is recommending that America requires to focus on more significant worths and goals in order to be seen as a leader on the planet.