Who Really is to Blame?

It seems like we have developed a talent in this country for passing the blame. In fact, there are a lot of people, mainly lawyers, who make a very good living by teaching us who really is the blame. I’m beginning to understand who to blame but don’t blame me if I get it wrong.

I have learned that McDonalds can be blamed if they pass me hot coffee and I spill it all over myself. How dare they make it hot!

Burger King and the rest of the fast food culprits are the blame for the fact that I have to fight the battle of the bulge. Eating junk food certainly isn’t my fault; how can you walk by one of those places without succumbing to the smell of fat and grease?

I don’t smoke but if I did it wouldn’t be my fault because big tobacco didn’t tell me exactly how harmful smoking could be. Actually, one puff on a cigarette told me that smoking had to be a bad thing, but Madison Avenue is so persuasive I couldn’t be blamed if I had kept puffing away. Even the President smokes and he is a lawyer! I’m wondering when he’s going to sue big tobacco?

If kids fail in school, blame the teachers. It doesn’t matter if they skip class half of the time and refuse to do any work when they get there. If kids don’t want to work or apply themselves, It’s the teacher’s fault. After all, aren’t teachers hired to inspire us and make us a success even if we do everything we can to fail?

Or better yet; blame the teacher’s union. They protect teachers from all the blame we heap on them. Connect the dots! If kids don’t pass the WASL and don’t show up with enough credits to graduate then it is the union’s fault.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about who to blame. I heard an attorney say “just follow the money.” That’s a good hint but don’t blame me if I can’t figure it out. And by the way, if you don’t like this blog, don’t blame me; it’s your fault for reading it!

Bob Dean 2010