By Lee Pitts

In this day and age when everything from coliseums to clothing is being sold for advertising rights it seems like such a waste that the very best ad space is going unused. I’m referring to license plates. Oh sure, some state sell vanity plates where rich people can come up with cute ways to brag about themselves. But I’m talking about something much bigger and better.

If you ask me, Wyoming is the only state with great plates. Right there in the middle is a cowboy on a horse. It says everything that needs to be said about the excellent state of Wyoming. We have big states like Texas who fail to convey any message at all on their plates. This is such a waste. Lone Star State plates would be the perfect place for this message: "Texas, where beef is for breakfast, lunch and dinner."

Other states are already subliminally advertising products without getting paid for it. I’ve always liked Illinois’ message: Land of Lincoln. But add a Lincoln Continental logo to it and you could charge Ford Motor company millions. Just think of the advertising tie-ins. Missouri has the St. Louis Arch and what’s the first thing you think of when you see it? That’s right: McDonalds. Why not bill them for it?

I have taken literary license with some state’s plates with a few suggestions of my own. I’m sure you could do better.

Arizona: Yes, but it’s a dry heat.

Kansas: We’re not square. More like a rectangle.

North Carolina: Where tobacco is still legal.

Washington: You’re looking through our Windows (Paid for by Microsoft).

Mississippi: Come sit a spell.

Oregon: A million spotted owls can’t be wrong.

Kentucky: Home of fast horses and beautiful woman. (Not to be confused

with New York state’s plates: Home of beautiful horses and fast women).

Colorado: Stay home. We’re full.

Louisiana: It’s not burned... It’s "blackened."

Nevada:Come pull our slots.

New Mexico: Do you want that with red or green chili?