UNCOMMON CENTS 59

I AM PROUD TO BE ONE OF THOSE WHO AN OHIO TRUSTEE SAID IF " I DIDN'T CHANGE FOR THIS GAME"... I "MIGHT NEED A LITTLE PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM.." MY PSYCHE RUNS SO COUNTER TO OHIO SPORTS' CULTURE THAT I THINK IT WOULD BE PLEASANTLY IRONIC IF THE CRYSTAL FOOTBALL WERE ACCIDENTALLY SMASHED BY THE 'SMASHED' REVELERS SO TYPICAL OF FOOTBALL MADNESS. NOT ONLY DO THE CELEBRATORS (OR LOSERS) ENGAGE IN CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, BUT THEY ALSO ARE EMBRACED FOR THEIR ENTHUSIASM AND TEAM SPIRIT. OH WELL. ANY EXCUSE TO WASTE TIME AND MONEY IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR 'REAL' AMERICANS. 36,000 FANS FLEW TO ARIZONA FOR THE GAME. A MAUI TIME SHARE, A LOTTERY, A USED CAR, AN E-BAY AUCTION, A SCALPER - ANY VEHICLE FOR TRADE GEARED UP FOR TICKET SALES. MONEY WASTED ALL AROUND FOR FLEETING, PERSONAL GRATIFICATION RATIONALIZED BY FANS TO LAST A LIFETIME. BEATS ME WHY CONGRESS MUST ADJOURN EARLY, GOVERNMENT ENTITIES SHUT DOWN AND TELEVISIONS TURN ON FOR THE HYPE AND THE HIP ASPIRATIONAL RICH AND ACADEMICALLY POOR HOPPED UP ATHLETES. IF $100,000 IS NEEDED FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES AFTER RETIREMENT FOR THE TYPICAL AMERICAN, NOT A DOLLAR OF IT IS BEING SAVED OR INVESTED WHEN IT FINANCES OSU MANIA. SADLY, THE ROUTINE BEHAVIOR OF OHIOANS AND AMERICANS DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR SELF-RESTRAINT EITHER.

HINT: WIN, LOSE OR DRAW, THE GAME OF ACCUMULATING WEALTH GOES ON. GO BUCK THE TREND AND SAVE YOUR MONEY!