For years, there have been two topics of conversation that tend to be off limits at a bar: religion and politics. And with good reason. The two topics tend to evoke heated conversations that simply don't mix well with adult beverages. When people are drinking their opinions tend to be amplified to a whole new level which can often lead to arguments that nobody wins which is why the subjects were deemed as taboo for drinking establishments long ago.

My point is, some things just shouldn't be mixed together. For example, Chicago Cubs fans and Steve Bartman; Lane Kiffin and Al Davis; O.J. Simpson and anybody named Goldman. The latest to be added to the list is combination of political trading cards with good ole fashioned sports cards.

Both Topps and Upper Deck are featuring political inserts in their latest baseball releases which begs the question: Why? While I'm sure there are some funny satire-inspired offerings in the sets that will draw a few smiles from collectors, I'm also guessing there will be quite a few hardcore baseball card fans who will disappointed they were shorted a chance at a Geovanny Soto RC in favor of a Tina Fey lookalike (Sarah Palin).

Like most in these difficult economic times, sports collectors want to get what they pay for and pulling a cartoon-versioned card of an old war hero will likely not be met with the same passion by those hoping to find the next Cy Young in their pack.

So do us a favor Topps and Upper Deck. Do what you do best and leave the political stuff for CNN and the like and stick to producing the best-valued SPORTS cards you can.