Give Me A Little Credit

George Carlin used to have a joke about "pre-boarding" an airplane. There's no such thing. You can't get on before you get on. (He also had a bit about "self-help." If you're doing it yourself, you don't need help.)

Lately I've been seeing the word "pre-approved" a lot. Like a large percentage of Americans, I get mail offering me credit cards. (Wasn't there once a time when it was a big deal to have a credit card?) They say I'm pre-approved. Really? Then why not just send me the card, rather than an application?

I got a card today from Visa that said in bold letters on the envelope PRE-APPROVED! Beneath it read "See 'Pre-Approved Conditions' Inside."