OPINION THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN COMMENTARY 5A FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2008 Idea of American dream has failed NICK MANGIARACINA It was only a couple of weeks ago that the Britney Spears' drama unfolding during the last year came to a head when she lost custody of her children to ex-husband Kevin Federline. Shortly after the ruling, Spears checked into the hospital, but it was even sooner that she checked out (less than a week later). Britney's collapse is no surprise, though. Her lost custody battle comes after a stand-off with police and an even more bizarre series of events leading up to it. In fact, in just a year Britney has shaved her head, been in and out of rehab, started wearing increasingly outlandish dress (see official Web site and MTV music awards) and perhaps most extreme, insists she is not simply another mediocre washed-up pop star (two studio albums in the last six years after one each year from 1999 to 2001). In just a decade, Britney has gone from pop princess to deranged diva from the spotlight to the highbeam headlights. Now she's staring at the lights. One of these lights is the one the media are shining on her, but the other is the one she shines on herself - her pitiful narcissistic cries that insist, "I'm not old news!" Her extreme behavior supports this. Britney is on the verge of rivaling Courtney Love for ridiculous and shocking public behavior. She is like a child nagging for dessert, and like bad parents, the media have given her unlimited Ben & Jerry's. She is growing fatter, uglier and more annoying because of it. However, this story is not about Britney — it's about the failure of the American dream. Fame has taken its toll on the innocent schoolgirl we were introduced to in 1999. As singer/songwriter Nick Drake once said, "Fame is but a fruit tree, so very unsung." Seeking fame is not unique, but acquiring it is. The irony is that Spears has attained the fame, but it has not let her escape her misery. In fact, it has only isolated her more. Again though, her situation is not unique. First look at other famous people. There are plenty examples of meltdowns: Start with famous writers. What's disturbing is that people still look up to her and people like Britney — or that people still believe fame (or the money that comes with it) will solve all their problems. There is no one solution to all life's problems. If you think there is, then you're addicted to something. Yet we are the ones addicted to this rags to riches story — this fable beaten into us since about age 6. Why do we seek it? A former government teacher said, "Getting rich just freezes up time for you to spend thinking about your problems." It was at that moment when she lost custody of her children that Britney reached the pinnacle of her fame. She reached the top of the mountain, but when she looked around she found she was the only one there, but it meant nothing because there was no one there to share it with. Mangiaracina is a Lenexa senior in journalism. Tyler Doehring COMMENTARY Two-party politics lean toward fascism History is full of government control mechanisms, when limitations are placed on individuals or societies for different reasons and justifications. America was built on a democratic idea meant to minimize these mechanisms and their effects on the lives of its citizens, and, in doing so, increase freedom for the individual and — theoretically — the entire population. Ironically, the two-party system that is popular in the United States that has grown out of this idea is proving to be a highly evolved example of a control mechanism. The danger inherent in the two-party system lies not only in placing an enormous amount of power in fewer hands, but it also drastically reduces our options and limits our freedom. Compare freedom to the rapid sophistication video games have undergone. When I was a child, I was satisfied with moving my 64-bit Mario from left to right in a two-dimensional world, bonking his head on bricks for mushrooms and fire-flowers. As technology and I have improved, my experience has evolved to include acquiring dreumatt of amounts of freedom, in digital worlds where I can exist in life-like situations, performing deeds of renown or unspeakable evil. When I play the newer generation of games, I now have options: I can move Mario in any direction and make a broader range of choices. I can even wear different clothing. The assertion that a two-party democracy is a sham isn't that radical an idea. It is simply a call for real democracy. The freedom of choice arises from our ability to choose among a number of options available. The difference between having many options and only one is the difference between being free or not. But we're still playing Mario, people. The form of democracy in the United States has become a parody of democracy; a farce, where all the actions, regulations and hand-raising signs of real democracy are present, but the beauty of the freedom to choose our own leaders is cheapened by falsely limiting our options to two political parties. We are so enslaved to our comfort zone that any talk of a third party draws condemnation from citizens who mindlessly follow the status quo. A two-party democracy is only one party away from fascism, especially when the actions of one party can't be distinguished from the other. Instead, the constituents furiously engage in the struggle to maintain the status quo in this age group. On college campuses, where ideas like freedom and justice still bloom,the call for real democracy should sound the loudest. I mourn the misplaced ideology of young idealists who believe change is imminent in the current system. In four years, they'll be jaded realists, and that's the real tragedy. I refuse to believe the American people are not diverse enough, multi-faceted enough or creative enough to have as the reflection of our will and fortitude a measly two organizations of questionable vitality and democratic merit. That we allow ourselves to be so limited is astounding, if not downright shameful. Anderson is a Perry senior in creative writing. How much is too far for Michael Jackson? He has the best-selling album of all time with more than 104 million copies sold. There is no denying it, despite how we feel about Michael Jackson. Wikis may not be the most factually accurate, but they solve disputes, such as the exact length of an Executor Class Star Destroyer. Matt Lindberg To contribute to Free For All, visit Kansan.com and add the Facebook application, or call 785-864-0500. Free For All callers have 20 seconds to talk about anything they choose. >> FREE FOR ALL Intramural basketball players complain more than a pregnant woman. Get a life. Chris Hickerson Wacky wikis are taking over the Internet --caught looking. --caught looking. Free For Fall, why are you such a little ho? --caught looking. I like to ride the elevator in the parking garage and look out the window and make funny dances and sexual faces at the people walking below. One of these days, you'll get caught looking. I just went to the bathroom and didn't wash my hands. What now, OCD roommate? Yeah, get out of my face. I like having the day and using it to just drink tea and watch people struggling to drive up hill. God life is great --you. There are so many cute girls in all my French classes, but none of them are available. Woe They weren't Ugg boots. 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