Morgan Freeman, actor, “Maybe if we underpaid politicians and overpaid teachers, there would be smarter people and less stupid laws”

Morgan Freeman is the most recognizable and beloved American actor according to a YouGov survey. Over his decades long career, the director, narrator and Academy Award winning actor’s trademark became “gravitas” said the American Film Institute when it awarded him its 39th Life Achievement Award in 2011, noting that “he often commands roles of uncommon authority.”

Additionally, Freeman’s calm, deep, soothing voice “conveys infinite galaxies of wisdom and compassion” when he lends it to narrations in movies and documentaries. Not surprisingly then that when he speaks, people listen, and he often shares thoughtful words of wisdom on a variety of topics.

Morgan Freeman on societal values

At a time when approval of the job U.S. lawmakers are doing is once again in the doldrums and teacher shortages continue to a major issue across the nation, a quote that has been attributed to the Million Dollar Baby Best Supporting Actor is making the rounds again. “Maybe if we underpaid politicians and overpaid teachers, there would be smarter people and less stupid laws.”

While there is no solid evidence that Freeman said those words, it does help us look more deeply at exactly what we value as a society and how we choose to use the resources we have at our disposal.

The laws that our elected officials make and the budgets they pass shape the short-term policy but that can also have long-lasting effects both positive and negative. However, the impact of teachers provides a foundation upon which our society as a whole can be built up over generations.

Children that become the future lawmakers, if poorly educated will be doomed to make less effective legislation that will lead to more inefficient use of our resources. Likewise, the public, if not given the tools to think for themselves, look at the world around them critically, understand it and put themselves in the shoes of others, will fail in their civic duties within society and at the ballot box.

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