I see two practices of custom and behavior that are questionable in a modern context that continue to confound the public citizen just trying to get along in our complex and too often priveleged and bifurcated society. One is the anachronism of exclusively organized private clubs along membership lines of gender or race discrimination also hosting and perpetuating the standing and prestige of hosting national championship events. Stodgy and traditional they may be, but it is only a matter of time that the 'tory conservative mentality' of fiercly maintaining their old exclusivity based on gender or race will fall. It fell at Augusta primarily because in our modern context of beliefs and mores that the idea of all male or all white clubs is anathema to our evolving sensibility on such matters. And, it will fall in the old British Empire as well.
The second thing that continues to become maddeningly disgusting to the everyday citizen trying to get along and play fair by the rules of governance and taxation and such where we are all expected to give our fair share, is the notion that these priveleged legislators and officials have the gall to spend the public's treasure, needed greatly to assist real life health and welfare or even business-job creation endeavors, to be wasted on some pompous ass or asses faux representing the notion of a governmental ruling class presence at national or prestige events, as if they confer some aura of officialdom approval for the event. The event, if a great championship as The Open or Ryder Cup does not need the official imprimatur of some gasbag legislator or official to confer public sanction or approval to the event. The people in attendance and following it around the world is prestige enough!!!
Let these asses pay their own freight if they desire to enjoy witnessing the sporting spectacle, just like the rest of us commoners! After all, they more able than we to afford the cost of admission. The trouble is that none of the priveleged officials spending the public resources have to sacrifice and make a prioritized decision of whether to spend their resources on an occasional entertainment vs a pressing domestic need like a repaired roof or brake job, etc. When the common person decides to spend a little on themselves, they usually give up something else. These asses give up nothing yet spend what you have contributed to the public treasury in honesty to pay your fair share, expecting it to be spent on common needs of which there are many, always.
A pox on all their politician houses and special official box seats and booths.
