Like most college students, I’m not rich. Unfortunately, I still enjoy things like food, electricity and a place to live. To satisfy these needs I have worked my way through college and graduate school. In that time I have done everything from cleaning golf clubs at a Shreveport country club, bouncing at bars and being a teaching assistant here at the University. Despite everything I have experienced in these jobs, the most shocking thing I’ve heard came two weeks ago when I was at work waiting tables.My manager Megan came up to me and said, “I hate it when I walk up to tables to see how they are and no one even acknowledges me.”Though Megan’s comment was made in passing, it shook me and has stayed with me. This was in large part because it occurred right when the U.S. Congress was voting for one of the largest corporate bailouts in American history. For some reason, the two events remain inextricably linked in my mind.I don’t think we have the right to condemn bad behavior in our national leaders until we have the strength to hold ourselves as individuals to a higher standard of behavior.I’m no strict follower of Emily Post’s Guide to Etiquette. Truth be told, I haven’t read the book, and I don’t plan to. But there are still simple things I’ve noticed that have gone wrong and should offend us all.When I was a child, I was expected to act a certain way.When I ate with my family, whether in our kitchen or McDonald’s, I was expected to take my hat off. If someone asked me if I       needed anything, I was expected to say “please.” When that favor was done I was expected to say, “Thank you.” What was most important, during both exchanges, was looking folks in the eye.While there are many more character flaws that could be pointed out, these common courtesies are alarmingly absent in my current experience waiting tables. Every time I work, I see people come in failing to do the things listed above and then some. People persistently come in talking on their phones from the front door until their food is dropped off — never once paying attention to the people taking care of them. Then they have the audacity to wonder why they don’t know their server’s name!People let their kids make disastrous messes or scream and cry, ruining everyone’s evening and then smile as you clean up after them and just say, “He’s so precocious!” No, Junior is obnoxious, and you should know better.I’m sure most people who read this will react to my observations just like many of those I work with. You probably sit there and think, “It doesn’t matter,” “It’s no big deal” or “That baby’s so cute.”The problem with that mentality is it completely ignores one simple reality. These things matter.What is worse is that the places beyond our families which used to provide guidance and leadership to communities are failing them. Men of God and of faith who used to provide local guidance are failing their followers. This is evident in The Times-Picayune’s article titled “Ministers back U.S. Rep. William Jefferson for Congress.”More than two dozen ministers vouch for Jefferson’s “integrity” and claim that — despite his legal troubles — Jefferson is the most effective advocate for the people of the 2nd Louisiana Congressional District. Bishop Paul Morton of Greater St. Stephens Ministries said he would rather elect a possible crook than the “wrong person for our state” and settle things at a later date with a special election.I suppose Christ teaches residents in Jefferson’s district that the ends justify the means.Americans are going to have a lot of questions answered Nov. 4. Louisiana will know if it has elected someone who trades integrity for bribes to her third term in the U.S. Senate. The citizens of the 2nd Congressional District will know if they have elected the only politician accused of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives.If you do vote for them, and years from now  — while they are still in office — find yourself wondering how things got so bad, I have a suggestion. When looking for someone to blame, go to your bathroom, splash some cold water on your face and take a hard look in the mirror. Your answer will be looking back at you.—-Contact Matt McEntire at [email protected]