Though it will shut down uptown more effectively than an inch of snow, there is much to like about the Democrats picking Charlotte for their 2012 convention.
They usually gather in some gloomy Northern metropolis where people are rude and nasty and gouge them mercilessly.
This is one way Charlotte will set itself apart. Southern hospitality must become a byword of the city, meaning we will smile and chat and say "Bless your hearts" as we gouge them mercilessly.
And gouge we must. It's the law.
We've already got a 3 percent hotel/motel tax upon another 3 percent hotel/motel tax upon a 2 percent hotel/motel tax upon a 1 percent rental car tax upon a 1 percent restaurant-bar tax to help pay for all kinds of tourism-related goodies. Since you rarely hear Democrats officially whining about taxes, we can expect them to pony up graciously at checkout.
And the higher the hotel rates go that week, the more we rake.
Plus, technically speaking, there's nothing wrong with imposing a 20 percent gratuity on parties of 30,000 or more. Ask anybody.
Just remember to smile and say "Bless your hearts!"
It is imperative that we not embarrass ourselves when the eyes of the nation are upon us. Democrats are perfectly capable of embarrassing themselves, so we should act as unobtrusively as the mother of the bride.
To read the complete column, visit www.charlotteobserver.com.