Making up minds

I met a woman the other day who said to me that she was not voting for John Kerry and the reason was that she didn't like Teresa Heinz-Kerry. Her statement was that "he should keep her on a shorter leash." Apparently she "didn't know her place."

Another woman told me that she wouldn't vote for a Democrat because "she had dated men like Bill Clinton." Apparently this woman dates married men.

Isn't it amazing what people use to judge for whom they will or will not vote? What happened to a candidates stance on issues, or their party's platform?

Botox and speech impediments have outweighed a person's ability to set foreign policy or surround him/herself with a good cabinet.

I, for one, am blaming reality television.

This country has a new fondness for invading people's lives and passing judgment based on sweeping generalization.

Interestingly enough we have invited this invasive nature on ourselves. We beg for cameras to be placed in our lives. People clamor for a spot in line for auditions. Worst of all... we watch the shows, adding to their audience size and advertising profits.

So, what are we saying? Are we superficial at all levels of society? Is there no aspect of one's life for which we will not pass judgment?