Alright, because I was tagged and I'm incapable of backing down from a challenge, I've got my eight questions and answers for all of my adoring fans. Comments please, because I like to know that I'm more correct about everything than anyone else in the world.

1. Why is there such an abundance of abysmal grammar and vocabulary, even among educated people?
Because people don't read enough anymore. Now that we have television and movies and video games available for download, people just aren't inclined to pick up a book and read the little letters on the pages. In addition to the epidemic of illiteracy, we have a society that allows people to be less than they are capable of. We should stop this.

2. Why do we define home as where our parents live?
For me, the answer is simple: my mother is a good cook and my dad gives me money. I don't meant to sound like a materialistic swine, but home, at it's very rudimentary level, represents the safest you can feel, and for me, not having to worry about money or food.

3. Why on earth do men say they want someone capable and independent, but those of us women who actually are all those things don't get second dates?
I don't really have an answer for this one. I'm sorry; I know that means I didn't follow the rules and will probably get marked down on this assignment.

4. Why is the deposit for the electric company twice the monthly average?
It would seem to me that requiring the monthly average, or better yet, the monthly mode, would make more sense than requiring me to pay a deposit that will probably pay the electricity that I would use for two and a half months.

5. What do I want to be when I grow up?
I'm thinking an emergency room physician in a large urban area. I like being able to interact with real people with real problems. Are there other good options?

6. In today's information age, why do people complain of boredom?
When I was a small child and I would complain that I was bored, my dad would tell me that smart people don't get bored. When I was three, I found this advice frustrating, but as an adult, it as served me well. I don't understand why people can't read a book or check their email or write a paper or write a letter to their congressman or senator or to our troops overseas. There are countless things to do.

7. What's so wrong with Harry Potter?
I've read all the books. I've seen all the movies. I understand that it's about sorcery. I understand that they use the word witch. I understand that there is good magic and bad magic. I do not understand why so many Christians are in an uproar over Harry Potter, when these same people watch/read Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, all of the books about Merlin. Don't those have magic? Don't those have good and evil?

8. Gas companies are turning their largest profits ever, even proportionally speaking. Why aren't we doing anything about it?
I'm tired of being gouged at the pump. I drive a reasonable car. I generally don't make unnecessary trips all alone. I probably spend $200 on gas a month. This seems ridiculous. While I have no serious knowledge of economics, it seems inappropriate to me that we are allowing the monopoly to continue. Why are we letting the boards of directors be the same for all of the major gas companies, and why are we allowing them to continue to jack prices up? Alright, that's signifigantly more question than answer. You'll all probably live.

There you go. The eight questions I could come up with tonight. Perhaps I'll start asking and answering a question a week. That way they can have more substance than tonight's rather lengthy set.