It's the Holiday Season...Make sure that you buckle everything.

You know what really grinds my gears? I am blown away by the degree to which our American community has slipped into the safety seat movement. I respect that some expert in some office or lab has concluded that the greatest marketing ploy for more money to car seat companies is to get legislation that requires it. From a business standpoint it is freakin' brilliant. And I am more than willing to bet that the kickbacks for some governmental voters are and/or were quite healthy. But seriously we are now required to keep kids in carseats that are well into elementary school. I am not harping on infants, babies or toddlers; the seats are required for a reason. But I am perplexed by a required contraption for children that are 7,8 and 9 years of age.

OK. These kids would actually be able to have their feet touch the floorboard if they weren't in a booster seat that raised them an extra 19 inches or whatever it is. And what is the answer to this for our geniuses in Washington and our state captiols? Well they are not heavy enough. So there is a height and weight limit.

Now don't get me wrong. I completely understand that everyone (especially parents) have to be responsible for the health, welfare and safety of their children. I get it. I respect it. I truly do. But anyone over the age of 30 can remember standing up in the front seat of the car (possibly playing with toys on the dashboard) while going warp speed down the highway. I rode in the front seat of a 1972 VW Beetle with my sisters standing behind me because all three of us wanted to ride up front and our size made a compromise entirely possible. And why am I writing this today? I am writing it because I am still breathing. You are reading because you are still alive. And a good portion of us were probably involved in car accidents without the added security of another expensive safety seat. It simply blows my mind. What's next?

Yep. This could be next. By the time my son or daughter is a 3 year old, it could be required of me to purchase a Barnie-colored porcelain prison complete with leg straps!

"I really have to go daddy."

"I know honey and I am sorry but you have to completely tied down before you can go. Please don't make a mess; we're almost there."

(And for the child's absolute safety, the photo also recommends that the child be allowed to piss or crap his pants in lieu of removing them and taking the risk of falling or something.)

A lot of people and even some readers may see this as insensitive or uneducated because I am not currently blessed with my own little bundle of joy. Clearly we all survived childhood by sheer, dumb luck. And our parents just did not know any better because we are more advanced now. I say that we are a conditioned, arrogant society that buys into the propaganda fed to us.

The title of this blog is An American Redneck in India because I have been there four times. And I can tell you that the rest of the world gets to and fro with far less than we. And here's your proof...



That is a family of 6 and a family of 4. And both are on motorcycles smaller than your average crotch rocket. That is the family car in India. And the car seats are the gas tank, a mom/pop sandwich and a mother's death grip while going side saddle through bumper to bumper traffic. You look at it and say "oh how unsafe". There are over 1 billion people there. And the nation is not much bigger in landmass than Texas. The population is not getting any smaller because of the lack of fun-colored, dungeon contraptions for kiddos. Much less for kiddo harnesses specifically designated for the youngsters under 40 inches in height or weighing less than 80 lbs.

Cheers...