When I was a child, life seemed simpler than it does today. The reason is, I never concerned myself with being politically correct. Today, it is not only a way of life, but it’s even mandated. Just think over the past few years the absurdity that surrounds us.

One former NBA basketball player actually dyed his hair different colors weekly to raise awareness for different social causes. How ridiculous! If one of his causes happens to be the over population of stray dogs, do you think seeing his head fuchsia would actually prompt me to run out and neuter my pet?

In recent years I have seen a litany of awards programs on television. Each time, stars wear a different ribbon for their favorite cause. It has almost come to the point where a person has to have some button, pin, ribbon, sticker, hairdo, hat or bumper sticker, to prove to the world they care. I wonder what could be next, a fundraiser by the Hell’s Angels? It could be called Tattoo for Tots where a percentage of their skin art goes to potty training awareness.

I long for times past when I could go anywhere, lodge anywhere, or picnic anywhere without worrying about offending someone. Now I’m bucking peer pressure to visit a restaurant because it is the official sponsor of the US Olympic team. I stay only in motels that are designated “Green”, and give a percentage of my cost to worthwhile projects with slogans like, ” If you’ll stay with us, we’ll ensure that tree sap is around for future generations.” Now I’m relegated to eating in my pickup truck because my favorite picnic area is off-limits because it’s home of an endangered species the Double Knuckled Newt.

It isn’t enough that we walk a fine line between politically correct and personal choice, but I thought peer pressure was supposed to lessen the moment you got out of high school. I now can’t eat a tuna sandwich in front of my children unless the can states that dolphins were spared, I can’t buy a flannel shirt unless I have guarantees it wasn’t made by a sweatshop worker in Ho Chi Minh City, I can’t eat off plastic plates because I’m wasting the earth’s valuable resources and I can’t watch the Three Stooges because it glorifies violence.

I have a better suggestion for anyone who wonders if they are being politically correct. Live the Golden Rule then you don’t have to worry about what people think of you. Then trade in that meaningless politically correct button the star’s wear for a sticker that says, “I Gave Blood Today”. Nobody can ever fault you for that!