MARK MY WORD: WHY ASK WHY? BECAUSE SHE'S 2

Why ask why?

That's not just a beer commercial's catchy slogan. It is a way of life for my 2-year-old daughter, Becca.

She has turned "why" into whole conversations.

"Why isn't all candy purple?" she asked the other day.

Her mom, who views grape candy the way most people do killer bees, had a ready answer. "That's not everybody's favorite color," she replied.

Much to my surprise, this seemed to satisfy our daughter, although I am sure she will raise the issue again.

When you are 2, you have to ask the same question about a zillion times.

In my opinion, all political candidates should be questioned by 2-year-olds. Voters could then see which candidates could stand up best to answering the same questions over and over again.

Since 2-year-olds enjoy playing in the dirt, they wouldn't get rattled by the political mudslinging.

Forget about foreign policy, 2-year-olds want to know about important things like why they have to wear clothes to school. The answer, of course, is that if we didn't wear clothes there wouldn't be any need to go shopping.

Becca doesn't have a clue about the nation's farm bill, but neither do most voters.

She does like cows, however. When she spots a cow, she cries out with glee.

For her, spotting a cow grazing in the pasture is akin to Christopher Columbus discovering the New World.

"Why are cows out in the field?" she asked as we cruised down the road one day.

"They are in the field because they eat grass," I answered.

"Why do they eat grass?" she asked.

"Because they think it tastes good," I replied, resorting to my father-knows-best-because-he's-dad voice.

Becca believes in embracing the world. Unfortunately, she thinks mom and dad should know everyone they meet.

When we grab a bite at a fastfood restaurant, she wants to know the names of the workers who wait on us at the drive-through window.

Restaurant waiters and waitresses often wear name tags, which makes it easier to answer Becca's question.

For the sake of 2-year-olds, it would be great if everyone walked around with a name tag. That way, we would all be on a first-name basis, at least until nap time.

Questions serve a purpose when you are learning about life's little wonders, like who is a boy and who's a girl.

Not long ago, Becca looked up at me and inquired, "Are you a boy or girl."

"A boy," I replied.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because that's the way I was born," I answered.

She stared back at me, waiting for a better answer. But I didn't offer one.

As a parent, I've learned it is best not to use up all one's answers in a single hour.

But none of Becca's questioning prepared me for the ultimate inquiry.

"Daddy, do you wear big-girl panties?"

"No," I answered. "I wear underwear."

But I can't help wondering just what all those political candidates would say if they were grilled by a 2-year-old. Do they wear big-girl panties?

~Mark Bliss is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.