Americans now tolerate overtaxaton with little or no representation, do not argue or protest against wars fought "in our name," and have become submissive to the rule of the meritocracy. Americans have become like sheep -- dumb, driven, controlled and considered stupid by their overlords. Today, Americans listen without questioning the neo-propagandists of the mainstream media as if in a somnambulist stupor. Americans have allowed race baiters to hijack and run roughshod over communities sowing strife and division in their wake. And we've remained silent and resigned as voting rights have been corrupted to produce rigged outcomes over and over again.
In this light, Americans are doing little to educate themselves about their leaders and their policies, says bestselling author and George Mason University historian Rick Shenkman in his book "Just How Stupid Are We? Facing The Truth About The American Voter." Shenkman cites some damning facts to make his case that Americans are ill-prepared to guide the world's most powerful democracy. For example, only 2 of 5 voters can name the three branches of the federal government. And 49 percent of Americans think the president has the authority to suspend the Constitution.
Moreover, many will call this analysis "liberal elitist criticism," and angrily reject what they will see as demeaning the American voter and disparaging of the American people. But the FACTS are just that -- facts. As disturbing and UNCOMFORTABLE as they are, there is sufficient historical precedent to conclude that Americans have become, well, dumber when it comes to political and national issues.
When only "2 of 5 voters can name the three branches of the federal government. And 49 percent of Americans think the president has the authority to suspend the Constitution," then we have a problem, a real problem, with stupidity and ignorance -- period. This is how comedian Bill Mahr put it on George Lopez's "Tonight" show:
"I'll tell you this about Americans -- about the American electorate, the voter," Maher said. "They love a winner. You know, as soon as he [Obama] passed health care, his approval rating went up 15 points. They don't understand the issues. They're too stupid. They're like a dog. They can understand inflection. They can understand fear. They can understand dominance. They don't understand issues. But when he won on that issue, he went up."
Now that's a bit condescending and I would not have framed it quite in this way. But I quote Mahr here to make the point -- the American voter is gullible, easily influenced and led. Donald Trump has proved Mahr's point conclusively. Just as BOTH Senator Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton proves it on the Democratic side. Today, in this country idiocy and stupidity has become the law of the land. Here's my case file.
EXHIBIT 1. GEORGE W. BUSH. Elected TWICE by a gullible American electorate. Was United States president for 8 terrible years during which time he pissed away over a trillion dollars in SURPLUS, opened two wars (still being fought) and started the slide into the greatest recession since the Great Depression. He's today listed as one of the worst American presidents -- ever. What's even more amazing? In the 2004 elections Bush was not just supported, but strongly supported by conservatives in the 98% region. This is more then any conservative president in recent history, including the Patron Saint of Republican's - former President Ronald Reagan.
EXHIBIT 2. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER. Americans are inconceivably stupid and would rather have an action hero than a statesman as governor. Maybe James Bond should run for president. Leaving out the sex with his maid bit, Ole Arny presided over the wholesale privatization of California's schools and prisons among other things. But he remained and remains popular with Californian's who could not remember where Abe Lincoln came from but could all remember the box office hit movie where muscle-bound, tough-talking Arny wowed them with "Hasta La Vista baby." Talk about electoral intelligence!
EXHIBIT 3. MITT ROMNEY. Two-time loser. How a presidential candidate who claimed to have "binders full of women" and see the same people who voted for him with such loathing and contempt as "losers and the 47% of takers" is an object lesson in unadulterated stupidity. The fact that MILLIONS of people thought favorably about him even after these arrogant statements is even more telling as is their willingness to vote for him inspite of all the crap he said.
EXHIBIT 4. DONALD J. TRUMP
Here is the Republican Party's standard-bearer in his own words.
"An 'extremely credible source' has called my office and told me that Barack Obama's birth certificate is a fraud."
"Robert Pattinson should not take back Kristen Stewart. She cheated on him like a dog & will do it again -- just watch. He can do much better!"
"You know, it really doesn't matter what the media write as long as you've got a young, and beautiful, piece of ass."
"If I were running 'The View', I'd fire Rosie O'Donnell. I mean, I'd look at her right in that fat, ugly face of hers, I'd say 'Rosie, you're fired.'"
"My IQ is one of the highest -- and you all know it! Please don't feel so stupid or insecure; it's not your fault."
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
2
2
