Hello, My Name is Stephanie. And I'm Addicted to Diet Coke."

“What’s your vice?”

My dad asked me this question the other night because he had just watched a morning show that asked each of the presidential candidates what their vices were. This interview question was obviously an attempt to thin out the thick political tensions that are normally associated with presidential candidates and add a “feel good” human interest element to an otherwise anxiety ridden animal-like competition. Enough about healthcare and the war in Iraq! I want to hear about Obama’s obsession with chocolate and Giuliani’s love of cigars! Hey, those guys eat junk and harm their bodies too? They are just like me and it makes me wanna vote!

It was no surprise that a majority of the presidential candidates admitted that their vices include sugar addictions, which is the easy way out to mask their probable alcohol habits, and the closest thing to controversy that came out of the discussion was Fred Thompson’s confessed fondness for Cuban cigars... that’s right, a potential president likes to indulge in ILLEGAL rolled tobacco. If Thompson claims victory we all know what his first presidential decision will be – “Bienvenido to America, Cuban cigar makers!”

When my dad had me thinking about my own vice, I thought it was an interesting question because everyone, including seemingly moral, respectable presidential candidates, have their bad habits and in the end, our vices are something we all have in common.

Not to get all cheesy and 4th grade class speech on you, but according to the dictionary, a “vice is a practice or habit that is considered immoral, depraved, and/or degrading in the associated society.” Whoa. I didn’t realize eating chocolate was such a sin. But then again, a weight loss clinic would consider the presence of a Hershey’s bar the equivalent of a bottle of Jack Daniels in an AA meeting, so I guess the severity of the vice depends on the severity of the situation. But when it’s all said and done, a vice is merely a bad habit... how bad you let that habit become is up to you, and if your vice forces you to attend a group support session of any kind, then I recommend you talk with Fred Thompson and figure out how you can turn your vice into a legal, acceptable practice.

So what would I consider my vice? That’s easy. Diet Coke.

“Hello, my name is Stephanie and I’m addicted to DC.”
“Hello Stephanie.”

I crack open a can of Diet Coke like a middle aged man opens a can of beer after a long day. There is something just so soothing to me about the bubbly, artificial goodness and if it wouldn’t be looked down upon, I would fill a camel back water bottle with Diet Coke and sip on it all day long as the sugary substance sits perched on my shoulders. This specific addiction is ultimately a harmful vice because God knows that one day I will drop dead of a NutraSweet overdose leaving only my brittle, Diet Coke infused bones behind. Oh well. I’m over it.

Why is it that society must turn to habits and indulgences to stay calm and sane? I personally think a vice is a grown up version of a “binkie” or a pacifier, representing a place for us to escape if only for a moment. No matter how stressed I am, there are those few brief moments as I pop open my can of DC where all I can think about is enjoying my favorite drink... I’m NOT thinking about work and I’m NOT thinking about errands and my to-do list... I’m thinking about how much I’m going to enjoy those first few sips. And then about a second later, I’m back to being stressed, but instead of doing it alone, I have my beloved Diet Coke to keep me company. And although I should be hydrating my body with pure H20 and not harmful toxins, there are far worse vices in life and I like to think of mine as a relatively healthy one.

If it’s chocolate, cigars or Diet Coke, vices are something that interns have in common with CEOs, they are something that children and parents share and something that enemies and friends alike admit to. Even presidential candidates confess to their vices, even though they all ironically happen to be fairly PC, because having a vice somehow makes you more human and more relatable. No matter what, you should embrace your seemingly bad habits because I think they allow us to de-stress and help us face each day, but you must evaluate your vices to determine if they cause more harm than good – my rule? If your vice is either banned in public places – e.g. streaking or smoking – or if your vice forces you to attend special classes – e.g. AA – then find a new habit... may I suggest carbonated soda?

So what is your vice? What do you indulge in regularly and you just can’t live without? Now remember, you’re most likely not running for office if you’re reading this, so be honest. Unless, Fred Thompson, if you’re reading this, I’m all for spicing up the US with some Cuban flava! More power to you, man.