Random Rants

Since my brain is dead this week, I thought I would write a few short paragraphs on topics that, well, irritate me. I may write lengthier articles on these subjects someday when my brain is clearer.

Term Limits:
To me this is a no-brainer. I do not know whether the framers didn't realized that this would happen or if they had some other reason for not setting limits, but career politicians do not work (and that was not meant to be a pun).

In the corporate world, the longer an employee works and the higher they go on the ladder, the more power they accumulate. They get entrenched in this network of influence that allows them to get what they want and keep out what they do not. Politics is no different. The longer a senator stays elected, the more power they accumulate and it can reach a critical point. Unless the person make a serious mistake (that the media cannot twist), they will never be kicked out of office – significant job security.

Moreover, what do humans do when unchecked and unaccountable? They start abusing their power, and this is the rule more than the exception unfortunately. This is not a partisan issue because all politicians are humans (again, no pun intended), and all are prone to abuses of power, and all should be limited to two, maybe three terms.

Political Correctness:
What is political correctness? Answers.com says, “Of, relating to, or supporting broad social, political, and educational change, especially to redress historical injustices in matters such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.” Wow, that is loaded with goodies.

I also thought it would be interesting to look up the word political, to see where this term may have come from. Most of the six definitions listed concern government and politicians. That means that political correctness is things that are right because government or a politician says so – scary.

However, the other definitions are even more fun. Based on or motivated by partisan or self-serving objectives. In other words, political correctness is morality as defined by someone who has an agenda.

Celebrity War Visits:
Why do we pay movie stars and rock stars so much money? Because we like their movies and music. Most are not in their field because they are super-smart or because they know how to create foreign policy. Why, please tell me why, our media is continually infatuated with celebrity visits to foreign land?

Jessica Simpson is who she is because she sings well and is pretty (ok, both are debatable). Nevertheless, if she goes to Iraq, we all want to know her opinion. I do not mind her giving her opinion – which she is entitled to. However, as Jane Fonda illustrated, someone listens when celebrities speak.

Someday I may just write an article on one of these topics. If you do not think I should, or want to be a part, be sure to stop by the forums and speak your mind – you will probably sound more intelligent than Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton combined.