Chivalry or chauvinism?

All the best parking spaces are designated "handicapped" spaces now. There's no point in looking for a good space at Target or Wal-Mart, because ALL of them are off limits to those with no connections at the DMV. Now, I used to date a girl whose dad was legitimately handicapped (leg amputation due to phlebitis), and I am extremely sympathetic to those in genuine need. But how do you determine that? What do you look for in your disabled people? Crutches? An extremity encased in plaster? A cane or walker? A wheelchair? Well, don't look to closely here in Dixie. Most of the preferred parking spaces are occupied by cars and trucks driven by the morbidly obese. These gluttonous connoisseurs of the deep-fried Twinkie and the Flamin' Hot pork rinds not only monopolize the good parking spaces, they are the first to use those little motorized shopping vehicles that your kid begs you to let him play with. No longer able to walk without pain or without tipping over, these gelatinous junk food junkies can't be bothered to make the connection between NOT EATING SO MUCH and NOT BEING SO FAT. I know this because I see the contents of their carts. Oh, and they usually SMOKE too. None of which would bother me, if they would just STAY THE HELL OUT OF THOSE PARKING SPACES. The walking would do them good; try telling THEM that.

No offense.

Anyway, I told you all that just to tell you this. My local Best Buy (and, I'm sure, other places) now reserves a parking space NEXT to the handicapped spaces, with a sign that says "This space reserved for expectant mothers and families with infants." Now, wait a minute. This might as well read "If you're a woman of childbearing age, park here." What the hell are people going to do--challenge a woman to prove she's pregnant? Is that a baby bump or too many nachos and Zima? And why do families with infants need to park closer? What's that stroller for? Are we worried about the wheels falling off? Or about the mother getting tired carrying that infant? Well, maybe that mother and infant should be at HOME instead of spending money they don't have buying gadgets they don't need. I know people will think I'm wrong (or would, if they read this crap) but I don't care. How about a space for middle-aged white men who are just fuckin' beat from teaching teenagers all day?