This honor is typically given to the President of the United States. But, why? Our President definitely has the widest sphere of influence in the world. But, take Kim Jong-il for example. While his sphere of influence is fairly limited to North Korea, his dictatorial position has led to the absolute control of the entire country, socially and economically. Another example. Let's say I write a TV comedy show that the entire world watches. My scope is huge. But, the President of Zimbabwe slaughters 10s of thousand Zimbabweans. Smaller scope, but much more powerful. So, while the President of the United States's sphere of influence gives him/her the most potential power, as long as they're at the head of a relatively free state, I don't think they're going to win the contest.

Ever hear stories about people who have repressed traumatic experiences in their lives to the point where they literally don't even remember them anymore? It's almost as if, in self-defense, they have subconsciously hidden information from themselves. How is this possible? How do we not even play the role of omniscient narrator within our own lives?

And if you're allergic to cats, you probably are, too. So, lead with that next time your pharmacist asks you what you're allergic to. Way cooler. (idea submitted by frequent contributor Emily's lion-suffering father)

A prospective employer hands you a form to fill out. One of the questions on it says, "Are you pregnant or do you plan on becoming pregnant in the near future?" You'd be outraged, right? But, why is it wrong for an employer to find out if a prospective employee is going to have to take a significant leave of duty in the near future when making a hiring decision? Because you might not give her the job? Ok. But, hiring her over someone without those ambitions is arguably bad for the company, bad for the rest of the employees, and bad for the clients the employee will be responsible for. Isn't it sillier not to ask?

"The best way to avoid hypocrisy is to determine there is no such thing as right and wrong."

(a continuation) Everyone wants to improve health care in this country. And regardless of whether you think universal health care or a more privatized system is the answer, success with either plan depends on one thing: lowering the cost of care. Because if you like universal health care, it's not going to to succeed politically unless we can do something about the costs. And what's the point of privatized health care if noone's able to afford it? So, let's work toward price transparency and increasing patient choice. Both to increase competition among health care providers, which is historically, the easiest and quickest way to lower costs. And something that everyone can agree on?

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking with one of my friends who works at GM about the merger talk that was getting some news, that would turn the Big Three of Detroit's automakers into the Big Two. I asked my friend why either company would be interested in obtaining more debt, more failing business models, or more failed product lines. My friend couldn't figure it out, either. But, I realized something today. What have businesses learned in the last few months with this financial crisis? The keys to financial success have nothing to do with fiscal responsibility or developing marketable products. The key to financial longevity is being "too big for America to let fail."

"Kids are growing up too fast these days. We need to let kids be kids." Here's my problem with this idea. I think we just don't like the idea of kids growing up, because we don't like some of the things grown-ups do. We wouldn't have any problem with a child growing up too fast in terms of brilliance or creativity. So, I want kids to grow up fast, because I want them to get smarter and stop doing stupid things faster. I just don't want them to lose their love for life in the process, or worse yet, turn into grown-ups.

As usual, this blog is ahead of its time. But don't take my word for it, ask Drew Carey. What's worse than foreigners taking away our jobs? Machines. But, just to be safe, let's ban both.

"The difference between happiness and joy is circumstance."