Originally appeared on Automoblog.net

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Most weeks I am privileged to drive a different car, courtesy of an automaker, for the purposes of road testing and generally not doing a real job. A couple of weeks ago it happened to be an unexciting Citroen C4. It was one of those days when my beloved felt it was about time she dragged me around a mall like a tired, tetchy dog who just wants to lie down in the sun.
At one point, we had to step aside for a group of wheelchair-bound, mentally handicapped adults. This made us pause for thought.
Stylists of Britain Rejoice
Here in the United Kingdom we have an Honours system. Every New Year, a list is published of people nominated to receive some form of accolade for services to the country. Sometimes, we would hear of awards for ordinary folk who, in one way or another, have selflessly served their community. Sadly, this old tradition has been routinely devalued. For example, our outgoing Prime Minister, David Cameron, issued his own list (something that retiring PM’s are allowed to do but rarely bother). It contained the names of business individuals who have donated money to his political party, sundry celebrities, various hangers-on, and his wife’s hair stylist. These people received awards with anachronistic names like “Order of The British Empire.” We haven’t had an empire more or less since we were summarily kicked off the American continent.
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