Things I learned in school-- and why didn't they?

It boggles my mind that people think that the president-- any US president-- can do a single thing, really, about the prices of groceries. Yes, the price of eggs and of chicken are going up; there's a rampant avian flu outbreak. Research and development of the vax for the disease has been compromised, so there's that wrinkle. In that way, I suppose the president has an impact: the prices will continue to go up if no solution is found. The lack of labor to pick vegetables at this time of the year especially will make it expensive to get things that are not grown in one's own locale. I doubt there's a line of people waiting to take over those jobs, especially given the working conditions and overall pay rate. 

I paid attention in high school. I understand basic economics (things like supply/demand, what a tariff is, what makes a free market work). I did well in biology class. I read, learned, listened, and talked to teachers who were patient enough to explain things, and I did my homework. (Math eluded me-- things like algebra-- but that's not germane to this post.) In short, the subjects that seem to be impossibly difficult for some folks to understand were covered in my tiny little high school in northern Vermont. I have no idea what other people were studying, but I can follow logic. To quote Shakespeare, "I can see a church by daylight."

The same goes for how to treat people. I went to catechism when I was little. I read a lot of good books (and research will tell you this is the best way to teach empathy). I was the victim of extreme bullying (physical and emotional) for a full year in 8th grade when we moved from Rhode Island to Vermont (people really don't like the new kid when the new kid is smart--this is a clue). So, I fully appreciate and understand what it means to treat others with respect and dignity. If there's someone I dislike, it's always due to how they treated me first. And I don't go out of my way to make their life miserable; I ignore them as best as I can. 

I'm not a saint; I hold a few long grudges, I get annoyed and have a hard time getting past hurts that were intended. I'm working on it. But I don't go out of my way to be a rotten human. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is, how are so many full-grown adults so blind? I mean, willingly lead, willfully ignorant to the pain and destruction, the pure meanness, of what is transpiring? I don't know what to do other than take care of the ones I can, and hope we survive this period of evil intent. 

I will do my best to "stay in my lane," to teach literature and writing, to limit to whom I speak and of what, at least anywhere outside of my home. My thoughts and my voice are my own, and I'm going to have to let my actions speak for me. I love my family, I care about my students and many people I come in contact with, both in and out of my work place. I can be depended on to help when someone is hurting, and I will do what I can to make sure we have a "soft landing." 

That's all I can do. 

C