Prestigious colleges do it... should the Commonwealth follow suit?

It seems everything is for sale in the U.S.A. Seeing a chance to make $2,000 Dixie State College of Utah is doing it. So is the University of Colorado. Even Harvard Law School does it. And what is the it they are all cashing in on? Selling naming rights to bathrooms and even to individual stalls... hope they have the best toilet paper available.

So, I guess it should come as no surprise that the General Assembly is following the selling naming rights idea as a way to raise (according to the Governor's Office) up to $100 million a year. After Lt. Governor Bolling cast a tie-breaking vote, a bill to sell naming rights to highways, bridges, and tunnels is heading to the governor's desk.

Many Virginia highways are currently named for people and events celebrating Virginia's rich history. Bridges are named for fallen police officers and military heroes who gave their all for the safety of our communities. This practice lends dignity to the Commonwealth. It might even teach a little history - more than once I've Googled a name I read on a highway sign.

GEICO Squealing Pig Memorial Bridge?

Something stinks about both of these money-making ideas. The "Highest Bidder" bridge just seems... well... demeaning and wrong. I hope the governor will reject this idea.