The Opinion Outpost features opinions and commentary on the latest hot topics from national news sources. As much as you love hearing from The Universe, we thought you might like to hear from journalists around the nation.
Presidential prerequisite?
Juliet Lapidos, The New York Times
If Scott Walker, the Republican governor of Wisconsin, were to run, and win, in 2016, he’d be the first president in more than 60 years without at least a bachelor’s degree. Given that everything a potential candidate does or does not do, including what he eats at campaign stops, is considered fair game for critics, it’s no surprise that his B.A.-lessness has become a hot topic of conversation. “Is having a college degree a presidential prerequisite?” asked a Washington Post headline.
Attacking Mr. Walker for dropping out of college (reportedly to take a job) can’t possibly be a winning strategy. It sounds snobbish.
On the other hand, defending Mr. Walker by saying college means absolutely nothing, as some have done, sounds out-of-it. Many employers expect or even require their employees to have graduated from college, and research suggests that the rate of return for a bachelor’s degree hovers around 15 percent.
But there’s obviously a middle ground between “college is worthless” and “Walker is worthless because he dropped out a few credits short.”
Mr. Walker didn’t take this approach when he dismissed his critics on Tuesday.
“That’s the kind of elitist, government-knows-best, top-down approach we’ve had for years,” Mr. Walker told Fox News’s Megyn Kelly. “I’d rather have a fighter who’s proven he can take on the big government interests and win.”
Grey is no Darcy
Kristi S. Hamrick, USA Today
The Daily Beast speculated this week that Christian Grey (50 Shades of Grey) is the new Mr. Darcy. Of course, this kind of assessment must have been made without actually reading the books of Jane Austen. Literature does not begin to describe what you get with Grey.
Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy has reigned supreme in literature for decades as a man who puts other’s needs above his own, who selflessly worked to aid those unable to help themselves, in fact, even assisting the family of the woman who rejected his marriage proposal, if only to ensure her happiness. On learning of his deeds and better understanding his quiet character, Elizabeth Bennet’s heart is turned towards him.
Meanwhile, Grey sacrifices a young woman’s comfort, peace and safety to satisfy his needs. Other than the money (which could be lost with any market correction), he has bad boyfriend written all over him, because selfishness degrades a mutual love.
The passionate way in which some women have embraced an admittedly sadistic character who controls, humiliates and dominates a young woman is a puzzle to me. Frankly, I don’t know a single woman who likes to be told what to do, even as many graciously listen to advice that they may or may not act upon.
Gloria Steinem once famously said that a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle. Through 50 Shades of Grey we are presumably led to believe that a woman would actually like to be beaten with the bicycle chain. Most of us choose none of the above.
