Miss USA 2011; An American Tragedy

I couldn't help but watch some of the Miss USA pageant last night. I know, I know, why on earth would I watch something that degrading, something that horrible, something that hideous? Well, it's kind of like passing a car accident on the interstate. I just wanted to see some blood and believe me, there were plenty of accidents on stage last night.

I couldn't help but laugh when the contestants pranced out on stage and their "interests" were listed to include; rollerblading, singing, dancing, fitness, baking, working out, playing board games, to name a few.  I know, very diverse interests.  Crown them all with such a wide variety of interests (sarcasm).

While I didn't watch the entire show, I saw enough though and it's pretty much the same societal debauchery that happens each year. Personally, I am opposed to beauty pageants and feel that they are a part of American society that needs to disappear. Here are a few reasons why I think pageants should be permanently banned from our culture:

• Objectification: what can degrade a woman more than parading around a stage in an evening gown and bikini with tons of makeup on, fake breasts and dyed hair????
• Poor Role Models: do people really want their daughters to aspire to walk in high heels in front of millions of people in the hopes that she wins a crown???? I sure hope not
• Too Skinny: Look no further than the co-host Guiliana. She looked like a wafer thin celery stalk. I would love to make her eat a cheeseburger. Also the bikini segment was borderline disgusting. I saw pelvic bones that I didn't realize existed.
• Women's Rights: Do you think all those wonderful female pioneers who paved the way for women's suffrage and fought for equal rights had pageants in mind???? I think not.
• The Question Round: Look no further than Miss South Carolina 2007, my favorite all time pageant moment.

Honestly, I don't think that pageants bring anything beneficial to our society. As a matter of my opinion, I think they just continue to perpetuate poor ideals, poor stereotypes and set women back in terms of progression. But, they continue to huge part of our society. Mothers across our nation thrust their young daughters into beauty pageants with the hopes that their precious offspring will make it to the grand stage that was on display last night.

I just don't understand it. Please, someone help me here. Please someone tell me that I am insane and offer me some rational points of why I am wrong here. When I become president, my first issue will be to banish all beauty pageants. Do I have your vote???