100 Americans

I have often thought what fun it would be to create a representative panel of the United States or the World. To select them so that they are like and like minded to millions and then place them in a pool where they can have the conversations that the teeming masses can't have. It is hard to conceive of this, but imagine a room of 100 Americans, people selected because they best represent their 3.1 million people portion of the population. No limitations on age, economic status or religious views. No biases. This is a sample of who we are.
- 72 are white, but nine of those would tell you they are also Hispanic, which leads to some confusion on a census forms.
- 13 are black, I would say African American, but one of those is also Hispanic.
- Of the 15 remaining, three check more than two boxes for race and six identify as other.
- There are five Asians, although it is hard to imagine them being one group.
- There is one, and only one, Native American, he is the only representative from New Mexico.
- California has 12 representatives and Texas has 9. New York and Florida each have 6.
- Most of the states have two, three or four represtatives, but 15 have to share their representation with others.
- There are 22 Roman Catholics and five Southern Baptists, three Methodists and two Jews. Most people are the only one of their particular faith there.
- The two atheists and three agnostics seem to get along just fine. None appear to be over 40.
- 20, of those selected are too young to hold a job. These range from the single new born to the 7 middle school aged children (4 boys and 3 girls)
- 67 of them could be in the workforce, though 7 don't have jobs right now.
- 13 are probably retired. There appears to be just one 80 year old man, but there are three 80 year old women.
- 1 woman is pregnant. 3 have had abortions.
- 39 of those selected own guns. None have had a close family member hurt or killed by a firearm.
- 4 are homosexual, though none have been married. Two men and two women. They all live in major cities.
- 52 are currently married and 16 have been divorced. Five have been widowed.
- 1 would be categorized as super rich, an ivy leaguer. 12 live below the poverty line, most didn't complete high school, which hurts their prospects.
- None will be president, play in the NFL or be recognizable on the big screen.