Assumptions about me

When I was in sixth grade, I met my favorite teacher. He was my homeroom teacher and math teacher. What made him my favorite? He treated us like we really had the potential to do great things. He told us we had potential and that he expected us to live up to it. He set the bar high and expected and encouraged us to reach for it. He supported our efforts and treated us like people. He also taught us to approach life with integrity, both by example and by teaching us what integrity involves. For example, he taught us that one should never make assumptions. His favorite expression was "Making assumptions almost always makes you look like a fool." At the time, I told him I disagreed with him and told him so. He didn't ridicule me, he just said he respected my opinion and agreed to disagree with me. He waited until I, inevitably, made a foolish assumption, and then pointed out my folly. Not to humiliate me, but to make a memorable impression upon me. The result of that is that I do not make assumptions about people blindly. If I make an assumption, I go into it knowing I could be putting my foot in my mouth and, consequently, making a fool of myself. I also recognize that by making an assumption about someone or something, I don't know that much about them in the first place. If I knew definitively, I wouldn't need to make an assumption in the first place, would I?

So, where am I going with all this? To express my disgust with the rampant assumptions that are relied upon for decision-making in America. Our elected lawmakers assume that we average American citizens trust them. Wall Street bank/investment firms assume that they deserve bonuses exceeding the GNP of most developing nations. Politicians assume charm and hyperbole will smooth over the latest lie they are trying to perpetrate on the American public.

Here's what this average housewife thinks, as if anyone really cares but me:
I think I'm frustrated with the citizens of this nation casting their ballots based on media spin and the candidate with the most media savvy and media exposure.

I think I'd like to see politicians really talking to their constituents, and then taking what they learn back to their staffs, rather than vice versa.

I believe 80% of this country has no representation in Congress at all. They don't want to vote for the people on the ballot, but our system affords them very few choices.

I think I'd like people to value children and the future of our country enough to reform the education system so it actually educates children, not just attempts to remediate them.

I think people with differing political opinions should behave as adults and agree to disagree without rancour. Perhaps we can be good examples for the politicians and journalists.

I think it's tragic that many citizens of this great nation have stopped striving for excellence, but instead revel in their lack of education and drive to improve.

I think it's sad that so many people think the way to obtain an ipod, or anything else, is to steal it.