Good point and well said, however, it would be naive of us to think that playing ability alone is the criteria for hiring a musician, especially, in a touring situation where you arguably spend more time with your fellow band mates and tour staff than you do your own spouse. This includes spending 24/7 together for days and even weeks on end. At that point, musical ability is only one of many criteria in hiring people. Just like a job interview, you need to put your best foot forward. More to the point I would like for guys to think about a bigger picture than they may never have considered before.
Clean, well maintained gear is important, showroom polished is not what I am talking about as that may not be reasonable and not a prerequisite. If you walk in on time (meaning early) well prepared with pristine gear, those are points in your favor and it is unapologetically prejudiced. Any HR person or small business owner will tell you the same. That communicates something about a person and to assume that it does not is to miss an opportunity in your career.
I would absolutelty agree that there are problems with our nation right now and perhaps a great start would be for all of us (I mean everyone, not just VDF members) to take pride in our what we do. That is about as political as we need to get on this site. Fishaa, I absolutely appreciate your point of view and I am glad you posted! (by the way, I do not mean to say that you specifically are naive)