So you think “the dumbing-down of America” is just a spiteful theory promulgated by the over-the-hill-gang whining about the “good old days.” Scusa me, mon ami, the decline is a fact, as plain as a wart on a bayou toad. The public education system has been on a forced suicide march since the 70’s and the graduates of that era are the parents and teachers of today. Scary. Now our children learn about life and love and language from television, the greatest addictive narcotic of them all. Not only does the boob tube dull the mind but it also aims its cultural bilge at the lowest common denominator. It broadcasts rap that masquerades as music. It glorifies violence, vulgarity and vileness like a sleazy drug dealer. It parades talking heads who don’t know the difference between “good” and “well,” “he” and “him,” and “lie” and “lay,” trotting them out as poster children of our degraded language. At the halls of government, the decay is even more pronounced. Everybody knows, generally speaking, that politicians are crooks and liars at heart; but we’re never prepared for their outright mediocrity. Hold on, you say; all these “dumbing-down” assertions are just opinions, easily debated. So it’s irrefutable proof you want. Simply witness the meteoric rise of male (and female) potency drugs. Not satisfied with mental corrosion, we’ve decided to “dumb-down” the physical body as well. What surfaced as a legitimate drug for clinical erectile dysfunction, aimed at the geriatric set, has emerged as a universal sexual crutch. In fact, world class athletes were the first pitchmen, macho types who insinuated that being manly meant gulping down Viagra. Of course, we can understand their infatuation, given their devotion to performance enhancing drugs. The glamorous models were next, leering at us smugly and lustfully, as if recently gratified. What’s it all mean? From now on, there’s no need for natural chemistry among the sexes. Biological urges are passe. Honest sexual attraction? It’s redundant, baby. Forget wasting your time and energy looking desirable or being seductive. Just pop a Propecia or Levitra. Put it in automatic drive and even Hillary might pass muster. Mmm, likely not. Too bad these hot-to-trot pills came along so late. They could have saved a lot of time at the workplace of yesteryear when making whoopee in the coat closet was an art form. And, without question, these sex potions will revolutionize the porn industry by extending the, uh, careers of overworked actors. Ah, well, why bother to have to think or feel. Either one is such a hassle. Better just lay down, sleep real good and dream of someone special and what her and I could do with a case of Cialis.