Used to be you worked hard to accomplish something. Whether it was raising decent kids, dedicating yourself to a real career (meaning working for yourself or someone else for more than a few years), or maintaining a certain expertise in a favorite hobby. It was respectable, and you earned what was termed 'bragging rights'.

Americans have distorted the concept. Used to be you could work in a company and become president. These days people expect to start in the executive environment intent on a career as a CEO. It's a good 'career', because it doesn't matter how the venture fairs, you hold the position a few years, then get offered more money for the CEO position in another venture. Oh yes, don't forget to collect your bonus on the way out, you didn't engineer that little perk for nothing.

Anyway, back on track. The term 'bragging rights' has become distorted. You accomplished something with hard work and you earned them. Now you can buy them. There is an article online today about owning a Lexus, with enough bells and whistles and "crammed with enough new technology to claim bragging rights." Used to be you earned your own bragging rights, now you can buy them from a car manufacturer.