The Sounds of Silence

People make up their ideas of the world by listening to what other people say — in a speech, on a survey, to their friends. But maybe we could learn something if we reflected on what people do not say.

Here are 33 things that nobody in America says. Or, possibly, thinks.

1. The tax rates are just about right, except for people like me. My taxes should be higher.
2. I am a member of the 1%.
3. The policeman is your friend.
4. I hate all people of other races, but I keep quiet about it, to avoid being criticized.
5. I got my job from affirmative action.
6. No one is qualified to teach kids their ABCs unless certified by the government.
7. I know someone who died from climate change.
8. The Constitution was written to abolish capital punishment, preserve the lives of endangered fish, and ensure a living wage for all Americans.
9. When the government provides a service, it usually does a better job than private business.
10. Some Americans are so poor that they have to steal from other people.
11. Some Americans are so poor that they have to murder other people.
12. Open borders would increase Americans’ pay rates while improving Americans’ security.
13. American public schools are very good.
14. American public schools are good.
15. American public schools are acceptable.
16. American literature, music, and art are better than they were in the past.
17. I have a perfect right to tell my neighbor what opinions she may express.
18. The government is better at handling my money than I am.
19. The American government has a good plan for dealing with terrorism.
20. I believe in everything my pastor says.
21. If you don’t like this country, stay right here.
22. If you graduated from an elite university, you must be smart.
23. Few people actually get important jobs just because they come from wealthy families.
24. It makes good sense that people can vote before they are trusted to drink a legal beer.
25. It makes good sense that people can serve three years as Special Forces operatives before they are trusted to drink a legal beer.
26. At least one Muslim country recognizes equal rights for Christians, gays, and women.
27. America’s Middle Eastern wars succeeded.
28. The War on Drugs succeeded.
29. The War on Poverty succeeded.
30. The Libertarian Party will eventually take power.
31. President Obama has improved race relations.
32. Donald Trump is a deeply spiritual man.
33. When I have an important decision to make, I ask myself, “What would Hillary Clinton do?”