Are Americans as Dumb as You Appear?

[Adam Kirur]

I don't think so. But then again, my Canadian ass has been closely following U.S. Politics for three decades now. For the casual foreign observer, though, I gotta tell ya: The Town-Hollers aren't making you look good!

Rationing, death panels, euthanasia, bureaucrats coming between you and your doctors. Who writes this shit???

Rhetorical question: I know that Big Med is spending Big Coin to scare Big Bejesus out of you. What puzzles me is: Why are so many of you buying the nonsense?

I saw that guy in Pennsylvania hectoring Arlen Spector about "liberty." (Ack! There's that code-word again!) I've seen people red-faced, veins bulging out of their necks, crying "tyranny!" (And there's that code-word again!) Now, I realize full well that a LOT of these "constituents" are astroturfers, brought in from out-of-district to scream their manufactured outrage. (And here I thought right-wingers were against busing!) But I've no doubt that SOME of these worried, anxious, or downright terrified people, SOME of these angry, enraged, and virtually-apopleptic folks are just ordinary, concerned citizens. Which brings me back to the question? Why do they believe the garbage? Are Americans that easily propagandized?

Sadly, I remember the run-up to the war in Iraq, and know that the answer is "yes."

But why, dammit, WHY??? In this Cyber Age, there are innumerable places you could go to for accurate information, and yet a very significant percentage of your populace appears to be unwilling to avail itself of such knowledge, seemingly preferring the verbal diarrhea of radio talk shows and TV polemicists. And it's only looking to get worse from here, whether the issue be desperately-needed education reform, climate change, care for your shellshocked warriors, expanding help for the less fortunate, the promotion of science over mythology, the absolute disgrace of people sleeping on park benches in the shadow of multibillion-dollar office towers, or the continuing struggle against still-endemic racism, an issue which is playing no small part in the health-care histrionics!

Can this really be happening to the country that put men on the Moon? Can this really be happening to the country that invented the light bulb, the telephone, the automobile, the internet? Can this really be happening to the country that cured polio? Can this really be happening to the country that has done more to advance the human race than any other country in history?

It truly saddens me to contemplate even the possibility that America may come to ruin, not with the proverbial bang or whimper, but rather in the high-definition glint from a crocodile tear flowing down the cheek of Glenn Beck.

[mwb970]

1. It's the 28%ers.

I'm not dumb.

[harun]

7. I hope the number isn't that high.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

40. It is.

[olegramps]

49. I am afraid that the number is much higher.

When I see the test results that our American kids posted in comparison with the other industrialized nations I can easily see why they swallow the Republican propaganda.

We have lost our edge that we once had following WWII when the Democrats pushed for Veteran benefits that included Veteran higher education payments that opened up the universities to the working class. What can you expect from a society in which 50% of the kids drop out of high school? What can you expect from a society in which the major news media is controlled by corporate interest? What can you expect from a society in which the working class are their own worst enemy.

I don't have to be on the outside looking in to realize that our nation is in serious trouble. The country has been bought and paid for by the greedy corporate bastards that have destroyed the economy of the nation by outsourcing jobs by exploiting desperate people struggling in corrupt regimes. They call it the new global economy when it is just the same old explotation fueled by unrelenting greed. You may very well see the day in which you will see Americans leaving their country to seek better opportunities.

[Fearless]

133. I'd say it sways between 49-51%.

[Orsino]

50. Ably assisted by the uninformed eighty-percenters.

Together, there's nothing they can't not do!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

198. Who was it that said, "Never Underestimate The Power Of Stupid People In Large Groups ."?

I believe he was German.

[deep1]

136. The problem is the SILENT MAJORITY.......

where the fuck are they? Why are they not trying to defend their country against the loud vocal Republican scum? Why is every time I see these town hall meetings, it's the loud vocal Republicans screaming?

Remember how the Nazi took over?

Too many people are complacent and that is the problem.

[Grinchie]

151. Because we know that violence is not the answer, but thats all the idiots know.

The silent majority exists, but it doesn't need to exercise it's power for futile shows. Thats for the Politicians and idiots.

We are going to be the ones that rebuild after the idiots clash with the well armed authorities, while we make love not war, save all the good books, and generally create our own heaven on earth while the fools all stampede over the cliff to get raptured.

[ChiciB1]

220. In My Lifetime??? The Crazies Are Making All The Noise AND Getting

all the attention, and seem to be getting others to fall into line behind THEIR Pied Piper!

TIME FOR REVOLUTION!! Way Past Time!! And yes, before you say it... almost EVERYONE says it won't work!

Call ME crazy... I want some of that ATTENTION!!!

[Grinchie]

223. Let em. They are marking themselves with a Scarlet Letter for all to see.

I can understand your anger and rage, but it is clouding your judgement.

The trouble with Revolution is that the leaders don't think past the victory, and are inexoably drawn right back into the easy answers that caused the problems in the first place. This is proven again and again througout history.

Sure, you might get an orgasmic high from the battle and subsequent victory, but the reality is that the Peace has to be worked out BEFORE the revolution. Peace is too alien for many people. They can't handle it. They are raised in conflict -- Familial, Educational, Political, Physical, etc.. It's just a nature of the mass plague affecting the globe.

Be careful what you wish for. All that attention you desire comes with a heavy cost, a lot of hard work, and intellectual and ethical honesty.

[cheapdate]

156. Just got back from our town-hall....

and while opponents outnumbered supporters roughly 2 to 1, I was very proud of the push back from our side of the room. At times, when a right-wing dupe made a particularly inane comment, e.g: "This bill gives health insurance to illegal immigrants!" We called B.S., loudly at times. I was proud of the citizen-speakers who took the microphone in support of reform. There were several times when the personal horror stories of people denied coverage or forced to make hard decisions quieted the room.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

161. AND THE CORPORATE PROPAGANDISTS

[SergeStorms]

170. It's more than that.......

when over half of Americans don't know that Medicare is a federal program.........well, you have to wonder. :shrug: America is a kingdom of fear (credit to the great Hunter S. Thompson there ;) ) and are all too willing to believe those who shout the loudest and longest are the beacons of truth in this country.

Yes, America is a land of nitwits, and those who take the time to sort through the bullshit are in the minority. A sad commentary on our society, to be sure.

[H2O Man]

2. No,

but you are.

[Lerkfish]

6. apt observation, as per usual.

[corkhead]

70. !

:rofl:

[Native]

72. You might want to rethink that thought... The org behind the ACT just posted its results . . .

based on this recent round of college entrance tests, they've determined that only around 23% of this year's high school graduates had at least a 75% chance of earning a grade of C or better in entry-level courses. TWENTY-THREE percent. Couple that with the fact that every year fewer people actually pick up a book and 'Oh Canada's' missive isn't that far off. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125065253283242295.html

[H2O Man]

174. Not at all.

That is not reason for me to "rethink that thought." I was, of course, commenting on that individual, not all of Canada. To label an entire group, based upon one -- or even a few -- is a short-cut to rational thought that always misses the mark.

Regarding student performances on entrance exams, etc, I would suggest that using these scores to support a claim that Americans are dumb also misses the mark. And I say this as someone who has had opportunity to teach (part-time) at the high school, community college, and state university level. Also, my wife taught at a local university, and many of our friends teach today.

More, starting this fall, three of our four children will be college students. Again, I am not judging the group "college students" based upon my children as individuals. But rather, their experiences, combined with my own, provide some insight.

When my younger son started his first semester, he roomed with two friends from high school in a dorm. I recommended that he keep in mind that one of the three of them would likely drop out after the first semester. Indeed, one did. The other dropped out soon after that. Neither is "dumb": in fact, both are intelligent young men, and both have been able to secure gainful employment. One of the two makes very good money as a painter, something that doesn't require a college education. Again, this is not to judge everyone by a single example, but rather, to recognize that not everyone is cut out for college, nor does everyone need a college degree. Not all intelligence is measured by a college entrance exam.

In the following semesters, my younger son roomed with guys who were intelligent, but who for a variety of reasons, were not fully prepared to succeed in college. On many weekends, they would travel to our house, for tutoring. Perhaps their schools had let them slip by without meeting the requirements they should have met; perhaps they manipulated the system. But that isn't what was important to focus on. Instead, providing them with one-on-one help in mastering the skills they should have had was the only goal.

My daughters often assisted the college students. The younger one is now going into the 7th grade. She is taking high school math courses, and could easily ace basic college-level math final tests, without taking the entrance exams or the courses.That's something she enjoys, and she is able to assist others in learning the skills. Her 15-year old sister had enough credits to graduate after the 9th grade. (In fact, she participated in the recent graduation ceremony, as she won more of the high school awards than any senior.) This year, she will be in 10th grade part of the day, taking courses that interest her; she will be be in college the rest of the day. She is headed to Washington in October, to spend time at the State Department. Again, these are just two youngsters, and I do not judge all junior and senior high school students by their standards.

Although I'm retired now, I still enjoy going into local schools and area colleges every year to speak to classes on a variety of topics. I have a pretty good idea of where students are at these days. The entrance exam scores do not change my thinking in any way. They are what I'd expect.

[malletgirl02]

214. Great Post

I think you are awesome for being a teacher. About the OP's post, I'm sure you know all too well that there were protest against the Iraq war, but the media ignored them. apparently the so called liberal media doesn't like showing or acknowledging liberals on TV. The same with health care reform, there is a strong base of support, but the media chooses to focus on the stupid people who are against it, which isn't really a large percentage.

[Lorien]

84. USA, USA, Number one! FUCK YEAH!!

does that about sum it up?

[MellowDem]

103. Oh, Canada!

That sums it up.

[H2O Man]

172. For you, I suppose.

I think it's rather shallow.

[autorank]

141. Right H20, this poster is out to lunch, bit arrogant too

First, there is broad support for health care reform and a large majority favors a public option as a choice
in any new probram. Why? I suspect that many remember that the last time we had a public option - Medicare -
the public chose it overwhelmingly in short order.

Second, don't be so flip with your comments on Iraq.

This was U.S. opinion in September, 2002

Beginning the war with or without UN aproval
http://tinyurl.com/28vp67



In mid January, 2003 -
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/01/23/opinion/polls/main537739.shtml

WHAT SHOULD THE U.S. DO NOW WITH IRAQ?

Use military force: 31%
Find diplomatic solution: 63%

When the U.N. weapons inspectors present their report on January 27th, if they say they have not found any weapons of mass destruction, Americans strongly believe they should take more time to look. And even when this question is framed to put the burden of proof on Iraq - asking what the U.S. should do if Iraq cannot show proof that its weapons program has been shut down - Americans are equivocal about military action: half support a strike and half say the U.N. should still take more time.

WHAT TO DO IF INSPECTORS' REPORT SAYS

Found no weapons of mass destruction so far

Start military action 17%
Keep looking: 77

Iraq can't prove it's shut down its program

Start military action: 47%
Keep looking: 47

Then the liar Tony bLIAR showed up and some feel for him.

And this guy, widely trusted, told a big fat lie himself.



There was probably not a majority at that point but the president lied about Hussein
being a threat to the US if we didn't attack (exactly the opposite of the National Intel
Estimate statement) and that was all the cover they needed.

White Paper Justifying Iraq War Written Three Months Before Intel Report Arrived Aug. 25, 2008
-----------------
Don't you get it? Apparently not. They'll do their wars no matter what the people say. If they don't get the public op polls that they like, they just make them up - for wars, elections, legislation, etc. If they don't get the right votes, they'll just make those up too.

It's called an oligarchy.

Basically, you just full of shit.

[rosesaylavee]

144. Wish I could recommend your post.

Thank you.

[autorank]

168. Thank you!

It's bad enough trying to persuade people with domestic elitists blaming the constantly disenfranchised, but having this show up was a bit much.

You'd probably like this http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0803/S00402.htm

:hi:

[rosesaylavee]

177. I did and I do

You have been a bright light of sanity here these many years. Thanks for still being around! I will do my best to pass along your link...

:hi:

[Enthusiast]

181. I like it.

:fistbump:

[Enthusiast]

180. +1, autorank!

Even though a majority of Americans want the strong public option, the politicians (insurance industry shills) know better. Same with Iraq. And now, same with Afghanistan.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

196. And what, you think that Adam doesn't already know this?

I personally do know this about Adam and he is a great supporter oh Obama and his policies.

Aren't you being just a tad to touchy?

[autorank]

200. He doesn't know this. Not "touchy," touche;)

"Don't you get it? Apparently not. They'll do their wars no matter what the people say. If they don't get the public op polls that they like, they just make them up - for wars, elections, legislation, etc. If they don't get the right votes, they'll just make those up too.

It's called an oligarchy."

Adam

"Can this really be happening to the country that put men on the Moon? Can this really be happening to the country that invented the light bulb, the telephone, the automobile, the internet? Can this really be happening to the country that cured polio? Can this really be happening to the country that has done more to advance the human race than any other country in history?"

Of course fools can shoot their mouths off at the behest of right wing lobbying organizations in our country. It's huge, 300,000,000 people. You put together the right pitch, target those people who think Nixon was innocent and Dryfuss was guilty (so to speak), and they show up. All 15% of them.

The politics is fixed with about 6 degrees of variation. The elections are fixed when they can get away with it. The corporate public opinion polls are unreliable and probably fixed. It's a rigged game. We don't have much say in the outcome on major issues, e.g., a new Afghan war, and the vast majority of citizens are dead on target with their views (as I'll demonstrate shortly).

I said nothing about Obama. I spoke about the underlying intelligence of the majority of citizens of this country.

[redqueen]

202. This is so good to see.

I'm curious to know what you'd have to say about this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6384855

[autorank]

221. Here it is

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6384855&mesg_id=6397460

Thanks for the heads up.

:hi:

[redqueen]

222. ...

:yourock:

[LaPera]

3. Republicans spent many years undefunding, gutting & trashing public education - Purposely, to

keep the working class dumb....It works and they will never stop doing it...They will always trash public education...vouchers are something they'll always try to push through, it clearly favors the wealthy and their children and vouchers ate completely unfair to the working class and the poorer areas. Why else would the fucking Republicans be for it?

Remember there were laws to keep slaves dumb, laws against teaching them how to read, it's much easier to control people, not knowing their rights or the issues clearly, just believing what they are preached (and many churches are no better) leading to uninformed undereducated people, workers, who know nothing else but to believe all the republicans bullshit...

Latin America too is another of the republicans corporate imperialism at work and republicans use the military to steal everything, control the people and keep the people dumb and too poor to even send their kids to school...cheap labor for the corporations!

Republicans truly are the pig scum of the earth.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

162. THE ROOT CAUSE

[Lerkfish]

4. since we're here and discussing this intelligently, may I suggest you should ask over

at some other websites.

in other words, you're shooting the hostages instead of the kidnappers.

it probably makes your obviously stunted ego feel better, but your targeting is way off, and I might add, you seem like you might be too timid to post the same thing over at freeperville.

[harun]

10. I would very much like to see the responses to this in Freeperville.

[Adam Kirur]

13. I posted it on redstate.com...

.....where it lasted all of 90 seconds--maybe--before being deleted, along with my account. Now, freeperville.com?

[RaleighNCDUer]

43. The same post on Free Republic would last no long, I'm sure. nt

[rhett o rick]

188. I have lost three accounts in attempts to hold discussion in freepville. nm

[ElsewheresDaughter]

113. No Adam,,,"freeperville.com" is not the real site...PM me and I'll give you a the @

[YOY]

15. "shooting the hostages instead of the kidnappers"

Perfect analogy.

[RaleighNCDUer]

42. If you really think he is targetting YOU with this rant, perhaps his

aim is not so bad. Gratuitous insults to someone who is no more baffled by the belligerent moronity of the American public than I am are completely uncalled for.

Fuck Kansas - What's Wrong With America?

[treestar]

64. RWers always bash public education

It's the government involvement, you know.

The problem with stupid Americans is that they don't believe they are stupid. They think they are smart.

think of the confidence with which they make signs - our famous "moran" and "no amnety." They are so stupid they don't realize they might not know how to spell and so they don't even consult a dictionary.

they really believe they are the smart ones.

[quantass]

5. Same reason Gossip Ragz sell more

People are more interested in drama and entertainment then the Yawns of everyday life. This is why republicans are so successful at PR. The media pick up the republican lies because they know talking points like "death panels" sell well to their audiences. Their audience pays attentiona nd spreads the world.

Also interestingly, i bet you the number of ill informed are not as high as you think, but they are certainyl more vocal since those lies have dramatic affects on them since they are gullable to believe it. Basically, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Furthermore, i recall watching Michael Moore's excellent SICKO. There was an interview with an English fellow who stated it is to the advantage of the rich and powerful to keep those of lesser status dumb and afraid. The republicans actively seeking less education, more confusion, and more fear is exactly what one must do to maintain and grow control. It's those pesky educated liberals who are spoiling the party. Check out SICKO: http://freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=133

[Lerkfish]

9. My impression, from every canadian that escapes their country to winter here, is that they are JUST

as ignorantly conservative as our 28 percenters.

I would hope they don't represent EVERY canadian. That would make me very bigoted to arrive at that conclusion.

(note: this is aimed at the OP, not you)

[irislake]

20. Sadly

the "snowbirds " I know ARE right-wing dummies. Maybe not as loud but definitely as stoopid! So they must feel right at home in Florida. I am from Ontario. French Canuck snowbirds are probably not as bad.

[Sebastian Doyle]

80. So French Canadians spend a lot of time in the South.....

Is that where they got the idea for secession? :evilgrin:

[mustardman]

120. Not in Canada

While we do have our share of idiots up here it's nothing like those teabaggers! Basically in Canada, we have liberal and more liberal.

[Mark Baker]

That was Tony Benn

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Benn

I saw him speak at Glastonbury this year (he's there every year). He didn't have a speech prepared, he was just taking questions from the audience. He came across as friendly and caring but also very intelligent, and at times very funny.

[Karenina]

216. I LOVE TONY BENN! Watch him slap John Bolton around:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZLGHy2WS_M&feature=related

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[stillrockin]

8. You are witnessing the Dumbassification of America.

Brought to you by the 30%ers at the instigation of corporate America.

[Enthusiast]

182. You are right.

The dumbassification of America + the Eronization of America = we are fucked, big time.

[baldguy]

11. American Idol regularly gets more voter participation than any local, state or federal election.

Draw your own conclusions.

[AlbertCat]

118. American Idol regularly gets more voter participation than any local, state or federal election.

How old do you have to be to vote on American Idol? 18?

Do you have to take a day off from work to vote on American Idol?

Do you have to Register in advance to vote on American Idol?

Do you have to get up off the couch and drive somewhere and stand in line to vote on American Idol?


I ask because I've never seen the show. Watching attention seekers imitate pop singers who aren't worth listening to in the 1st place is not as interesting as, oh say, the Food Network or the Science Channel... or even SyFy.

[baldguy]

130. You also have to take into account

that the GOP continually works to keep voter turnout as low as possible.

[chrisau214]

159. The American Idol Comparison is Invalid

It is true that the number of people that vote in this country is appallingly low.

But to compare the vote total on American Idol to the number of votes in an election and to use those results to condemn the American voter is simply not honest.

There is no age limit for American Idol voting. Any twelve year old with a phone can vote. Not only that but if that same twelve year old can dial fast enough she can vote a thousand times. There are individuals on various 'American Idol' boards who make claims of having cast thousands of votes and even tens of thousands of votes. I believe that on many occasions the vote total for any episode of 'American Idol' actually exceeds the number of viewers.

You don't have to be a U.S. citizen to vote on American Idol you do have to be a U.S. citizen to vote in an election.

In an election you have to be eighteen years old and you can only vote once.

American Idol may get a higher vote total than any election but that doesn't mean that more people are voting on American Idol than there are people voting in an election.





Chris

[AndyA]

12. The health care thing is just the best excuse they have to justify their racism.

The bottom line is, they don't like the fact that there's a black family living in the White House. Since they know (at least most of them know) that you can't use that as an excuse for disapproval, the health care "crisis" is the next best thing. It takes Obama down without directly addressing their real issue with him.

I think the vast majority of people who are causing a stink at the town halls are not your average citizens. Most probably don't really care one way or the other, since they're too busy thinking about the upcoming pro football season, or wondering if Paula Abdul is really gone from American Idol this year. You know, all the important stuff.

Many Americans don't really care about anything, much less do something about it, until they themselves are touched by a particular thing. So, as long as their health care needs are being met it really doesn't matter to them.

Really, why would someone be so thrilled with their health care that they would spend time making signs, going to meetings, etc.? Why would they do that? It's not like most are getting a really good deal. Premiums continue to go up, coverage is being scaled back, and profits for the big health care companies are on the rise. Executives make millions every year. Why would ANYONE take the time or energy to defend that?

It just doesn't make sense. The fact that these are STAGED EVENTS with people PAID BY THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY to show up and pitch a fit does make sense. And any Congress critter who thinks these concerns are legitimate is just looking for a reason to protect his or her campaign donors, namely the health care industry.

We need new people in Congress. The corrupt bunch we have now MUST GO!

[Enthusiast]

184. What you say here is

completely true. No one could imagine these concerns as genuine. Of course the M$M continues to pretend they are genuine to give the politicians cover.

"And any Congress critter who thinks these concerns are legitimate is just looking for a reason to protect his or her campaign donors, namely the health care industry."

[Chef Eric]

14. Are you really a Canadian? I'm skeptical.

Would a true Canadian say that the telephone was invented in the U.S.? I don't think so.

[Wednesdays]

52. If it was Meucci, it was in the U.S.

If it was Bell, the location of the invention is more fuzzy, since he spent time in both Boston and Ontario while he developed his telephone.

Personally, I go with Meucci as the inventor. Draw your own conclusions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Meucci
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Graham_Bell

[Chef Eric]

88. How often does a Canadian recognize Meucci over Bell?

Not very often is my suspicion. That's why I think there's something fishy about the OP.

[BobTheSubgenius]

154. He also used to make pretty good pool cues.

:D

Different Meucci, prolly.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

199. Yes he is a real Canuk...I phone the Newfie on that "invention" almost daily.

[YOY]

16. Why not ask the psycho nationalists shouting things they themselves don't understand.

and not the folks shaking their heads at the psycho nationalists shouting things they themselves don't understand.

Or is appeasing nationalism of your own the goal here?

[polmaven]

17. "The Town Hollers"

That is PERFECT! I love it.....Thakns Adam...and welcome to DU!

[NYC_SKP]

30. +1 n/t

[irislake]

18. Wait a minute

didn't we invent the telephone? Didn't we invent polio vacine?

[BeyondGeography]

19. Don't sell us short

After all, was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

[irislake]

21. You're joking!

Right?

[BeyondGeography]

26. Hell no!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8lT1o0sDwI

[Lerkfish]

39. a good canadian who doesn't understand a "meatballs" reference?

LOL!

[baldguy]

47. A good American doesn't remember that it's from Animal House, not Meatballs?

John Belushi, not Bill Murray?

[Lerkfish]

51. LOL! well, that figures. me, not doublechecking something before I say it!

you got me.

[OwnedByFerrets]

22. Pretty much, yeah.

[irislake]

23. According to Noam Chomsky

the vast majority of Americans ain't stoopid. They want what the rest of the world wants --- no wars,no torture, universal health care and all that. Polls will show every time that the American people are way to the left of their political leaders who are corporate owned. That is why he calls America a "failed state". The will of the people means nothing to the corporate funded politicians. Disgusting.

However, I was kinda disillusioned after hundreds of thousands of Americans demonstrated against attacking Iraq that they got behind the troops so quickly? Or did they? Cuz they voted to end the war first chance they got. So hard to know what's what when your MSM won't show the huge numbers of demonstrators and indicate they are just a few misguided nuts commies and anarchists.

[dgibby]

29. We made a huge mistake during the Viet Nam War.

We failed to separate the war and the warriors. Hopefully, we've learned from that. It is possible to hate the war without denigrating the warrior. I'm against both wars, but I would never malign a service member.

Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, I'm a retired Navy nurse. Joined to take care of those wounded in Viet Nam. Didn't like that war. either, but I think our military men and women deserve the best medical care we can provide.

[asdjrocky]

24. Yes, some really are. And some are even dumber.

[quiet.american]

25. Why are you posting this on DU? This should be posted in the heart of dumbass country-freerepublic.

And thanks for nothing in not acknowledging the years of marching, protesting and organizing against the Bush empire that tens of millions of Americans did. While you're busy bemoaning how dumb we are, I'd like to ask -- why is Stephen "I love Bush" Harper still in office in Canada?

[polly7]

73. Good question.

The answer, ....... because there are just as many dumb Canadians who are every bit as stupid as the Republicans down there who idolized Bush. Harper represents bigotry, privatization and selling Canada out exactly as Mulroney did. They're too stupid to see just how badly it's already hurt us.

[Adam Kirur]

164. Harper IS a Douche!

And the marching against Bush has not been forgotten by me. But no talking head(s) told people to do that: It was genuine outrage. The Town-Hollers, on the other hand, have been programmed!

[quiet.american]

169. Why do you think we don't know that?

Not sure what your point is there. -- Of course these idiots showing up at the town halls have been absoutely manipulated. That goes without saying.

[Enthusiast]

185. Right on, Adam!

And welcome to DU.

[liberalmuse]

27. No. We are dumber.

About 1/4 of Americans are a dangerously lethal dose of stupid. If you mix that in with the rest of the population, the stupid is watered down a bit, but even so, we collectively become the dumbest people on the planet, which is better than being the dumbest people in the known universe.

It is very unfortunate, but I'm not sure what the rest of we Americans can do about being dragged down by these twits. The US media is utterly fascinated with the lowest common denominator of humanity these days, and they have no qualms about prominately displaying the face of 'dumb' all over their broadcasts, forgetting to mention details about these new celebrities, like the person is known in the town where they live as being utterly batshit. When 'dumb' controls the airwaves and intelligence is mocked, we're basically screwn.

[AlbertCat]

126. About 1/4 of Americans are a dangerously lethal dose of stupid.

Stupid or ignorant? There's a difference.


And 1/4 is a lot??????

[lillypaddle]

28. To those getting defensive

I see valid questions being asked. Hell, I've asked myself the same ones. Of course there are broad generalizations in the piece, but there is no question that plenty of Americans have bought into a bunch of bullshit. I don't get it either. K&R

[progressoid]

31. Have you seen the movie "Idiocrqacy"?

:eyes:

[Starry Messenger]

32. I thought Canadian ass was Canadian bacon?

Is this some code? You trick us with your strange ways, foreigner.

[cherokeeprogressive]

54. Canadian bacon is simply ham.

[Wednesdays]

56. This means war, I tell ya! War!

[AlbertCat]

127. BLAME CANADA! BLAME CANADA! It not even a real country anyway

[patrice]

33. For all of our muchly hosannahed Family Values our Families are all fucked up by our Economic System

Fucked up Families cause Fucked up Schools and then you have Religious Parasites in there milking the sheep by telling them they're all okay, just obey the church and you will be rewarded with whatever ($$$$$$$$) you want. You see, it's a perfect self creating circle. So yes, on an average, we are as dumb as we appear.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

163. SO TRUE

[patrice]

183. There's this weird topsy-turvy thing going on: whatever "we" say is actually the opposite of what

"we" say.

It looks like a classic inferiority complex; you hide from your own weaknesses by bragging and bullying.

[SunsetDreams]

34. I wasn't going to open this, however, sadly you are right.

A few in the extreme minority of the country are making America seem really dumb right now.
Stupid appears to be more contagious than H1N1 right now.

[mirrera]

35. "The high-definition glint from a crocodile tear flowing down the cheek of Glenn Beck." GREAT line.

[slackmaster]

36. Every bit as dumb as Canadians or anyone else

:nuke:

[unblock]

37. we have probably the same proportion of stupids as anyone. it's the media spotlight that's warped

the powerful right-wingers who control the media decided that distracting us with a bright spotlight on stupid is exactly what they need to continue doing things that everyone would scream holy hell if the bright spotlight were turned instead on what the powerful right-wingers were doing.

so it merely SEEMS that we have a disproportionate amount of stupid.

what we really have is a disproportionate amount of apathy.

[Native]

75. I Q & the bell curve - it's the same in every country - what's not the same is the quality of

EDUCATION.

[Whisp]

207. that may be true, but a stupid population....

that has a military that can blow the whole world up numerous times, plant their boots wherever the hell their corporations need them, turn away from stolen elections, etc etc is a lot more dangerous than stupid Canadians or any other stupid people anywhere on the planet.

and all the while shouting 'we are number 1' and some really get insulted if someone disagrees who is from another country - like the world has to kiss and bow the great U Ass of A. far far too many of these extraordinary stupid types.

[Adelante]

38. I've never met a dumb Canadian

Oh, wait...

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

41. Who writes this shit, you ask? His name is Frank Luntz...

and he is the premiere Republican strategist. You may have seen him especially during election season conducting fake focus groups on any number of topics. Well he personally wrote a talking points guide on health care reform for all Republicans to repeat for effective propaganda. Apparently Luntz has tested these talking points a la "government bureaucrats coming in between patient and doctor". Luntz found the talking points very effective and we are now witnessing their effectiveness. As always the Dems were too late in the game and allowed the Republicans--with the aid of the Mainstream Corporate Media--to define and dictate the debate. So the American people are essentially being fed a bunch of outright lies! The M$M has colluded with the Republicans and Corporate Democrats in a concerted attempt to maintain the status quo. Yes, we are not a very intellectually sophisticated people. For us, if it didn't happen on TV, then it didn't happen at all...

[Enthusiast]

190. Thank you, Liberal_Stalwart71.

This is particularly significant because it is an commonly overlooked aspect. "For us, if it didn't happen on TV, then it didn't happen at all..."

[unpossibles]

44. Most of us aren't buying it

but through stage tricks and clever marketing by the "news" it sure can look that way.

[LynnTheDem]

45. Q: "Are Americans that easily propagandized?"

A: Oh yeah.


Actually, the "oh yeah" answers your main Q, too.

[polichick]

46. Yes, to the chagrin of many, some Americans are as dumb as shit...

Special interests (corporate America) easily manipulate these ignorant fearful people into doing their work for them ~ and because many "news" networks are really just fronts to push the agenda of the corporate giants that own them, these fringe whack jobs are propped up so that it looks like they represent far more people than they do.

It's sickening.

[Soylent Brice]

48. we're pretty scary folks, aren't we? lol

yeah, we have a tendency to screw up at crucial moments. remember the bush jr thing?

[ellie]

53. Yes

Americans are fearful, selfish and think they are the best in the world. Ridiculous. I say this as an American. There is nothing special about us, nothing.

[Pool Hall Ace]

57. Ellie puts it succinctly. You've got it!

:thumbsup:

[Enthusiast]

191. But the M$M fosters

the idea of American exceptionalism. I have often wondered why this was. Now I realize it so criticism can be directed toward those of us that advocate reform, reform on a variety of issues. We can be assigned labels like "The Blame America First Crowd" and such to denigrate our message.

[Fire1]

55. The answer to you title question, in a word,

YES!!! The vast majority are without a doubt, unequivocally, just that ignorant.

[Yavin4]

58. Fox News and AM Talk Radio Have Considerable Power and Influence In America

What you're seeing is not new. What you're seeing is 24/7 propaganda indoctrination by conservative media. These people will believe ANYTHING that Fox News or AM Talk radio tell them.

[depakid]

78. "These people will believe ANYTHING"

That really is the gist of the matter. 25+ years of media de-regulation and lack of accountability has managed to create 2 generations who will quite literally believe most anything.

[cherokeeprogressive]

59. Are all Canadians as condescending as this post makes them seem?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

86. Hey, if I were a foreigner, I'd be condescending too

I'm not even a foreigner, and it's impossible not to be condescending to the brainwashed, unthinking masses in this country.

Talk to someone who has never traveled outside the U.S. but just KNOWS that health care in other countries is like that in a refugee camp in Somalia.

Talk to an otherwise intelligent person who has abortion on the brain and who uses bogus "justifications" from medieval theologians to "explain" why allowing one abortion to performed with government funds is worse than letting a newborn baby's mother to die of complications because she couldn't afford prenatal care.

Talk to someone who has a military pension but is against "the government."

If I made these people up as fictional characters, publishers would say they're unrealistic.

[Enthusiast]

192. Nice points, Lydia!

I especially like this one. "Talk to someone who has never traveled outside the U.S. but just KNOWS that health care in other countries is like that in a refugee camp in Somalia."

[DevonRex]

60. Apparently so. Out of 5 kids in my family, I'm the only liberal.

And they think I'm the stupid one.

[Jennicut]

66. My parents refuse to believe I am a liberal

and I am already 33.

[DevonRex]

99. LOL! I used to get that from 1 of my sisters. I think she gave up when I turned 40.

But sometimes I think they get together and conspire about how to change me back. Hee hee.

[Arkana]

61. Hey, easy on the insults.

Just because the dead-enders are loudest doesn't make them the majority.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

76. I don't feel the least insulted...he/she is a brilliant writer and it's very satirical

[Ajaye]

62. Yes

Someone wrote a book on it...
Idiot America.

However, there are pockets of "elite" intelligence around. There is a reason that college educated people tend to be more liberal. And the number of people who have graduated college has increased.

I think you have to remember the powerful impact of family indoctrination. There was a time when conservative and stupid were not synonymous. People cling to family traditions, even political orientations. There are plenty of educated intelligent people who are conservatives, but that intelligence may be blunted by prejudice against liberalism, racism, classism, a sense of victimhood and entitlement and a whole host of other anti-intellectual influences that cloud integrity.

The right wing is very effective in playing to people's fears. That's why Bush got a second term. They played on people's fears about terrorism. Now, there are a bunch of people who are fearful that what little they have will be taken away by the scary black man in the White House. What is driving this debate is greed at the top and fear at the bottom.

Most people are not involved in politics, for better or worse. They may have badly informed opinions, but they are not the ones hollering at town halls. That's a small, vociferous minority.

I do believe the right wing has learned how to dominate the mainstream media. They have learned how to shape the narrative to their advantage and get the coverage they need to spread misinformation.

EG: Why no coverage of civl town halls where pro reformers dominate?

[grantcart]

63. Yes and we have lots and lots of nuclear weapons

Hope that helps you sleep at night lol

[cali]

65. lol. who's your PM again? Oh, that's right, conservative Harper.

[sixstrings75]

67. True. But it's a little different here....

I would place our Conservative party on the same political axis as your Democratic Party. We lean much more to the left up here. Don't be fooled by the name tags.

[cali]

68. oh bull. sorry, I'm quite familiar with Canada. I live close to the border.

I'm familiar with your parties and with Harper. And I'll say my dem congressman and dem Senator are far more liberal than he is. Not to mention my socialist senator who is for all practical purposes, a dem and has long been supported by the dem party here.

[superduperfarleft]

71. Can you see Canada from your house?

And now cali's lecturing Canadians on Canada. Can't say I'm surprised.

[Ishoutandscream2]

90. Typical, isn't it?

Now there's good ol American arrogance. And watch, she'll come back and say there's nothing more arrogant than a Texan. She's good at that.

[Posteritatis]

114. There's been a lot of that going around lately

The other day elsenet, I had some dumbass liberarian trying to explain to me that Canada's an absolute monarchy, and that the British "retook Canada while we were busy with the Civil War."

Of course, I've seen similar sentiments expressed on DU, but not quite off to that level of idiocy.

But yeah, I do agree that, at last at the provincial level up here, Canadian Conservative legislators probably aren't that different from southern Democrats. The federal ones define themselves more in terms of whatever the Republicans want, but half of them probably wouldn't be able to win an election under the GOP in the US.

[polichick]

74. LOL - there you go, spewing opinions as if they were truth...

Funny how you go around dishing out the same stuff you call others on. HYPOCRITE.

[irislake]

93. You're right.

I would trade you for Dennis Kucinich any day and also a woman politician in Ohio whose name I forget. There are several Democratic politicians I prefer to Harper and to our opposition leader Ignatieff (Liberal).

I just love Dennis Kucinich!

Oh and I can see your house from my little log cabin in the woods of Canada. "Hi!"

[Whisp]

205. and if I were in Alaska I could see Russia

.....
and just Know what they're really up to.

good cripes lol

[AlbertCat]

128. We lean much more to the left up here.

Does the Queen let you do that?


The majority of Americans lean to the left...even if they think they are conservative. We have lousy media and crappy education, but ignorance is not a synonym for stupidity, y'know. Do you speak English?

[KansasVoter]

69. NO!!! We are dumber than we appear! And I am NOT proud of it!

[enid602]

77. bright?

If Canadians really were as bright as they pretend to be, they´d be out protesting tar sands exploitation. The world´s largest potential environmental disaster just waiting to happen, eh?

[polly7]

79. We are protesting it. Have been since the first bucket of dirt was dug.

eh :)

[enid602]

81. eh?

Well hopefully, your protesting will become more effectual (or at least visible to the rest of the world) before they destroy half of Alberta, and have great impact on the world´s weather systems.

[polly7]

82. eh???

Effectual? HTF can it be effectual when it's being done mainly for your gain down there, and what we say doesn't matter? NAFTA, remember? Tell you what, you start protesting Enbridge and that new poison pipeline. Join us. We have plenty of oil for ourselves. It's you our environment is being ruined for, and yes .... we've been protesting loudly. What ..... you didn't hear it? Ahhhh ...... well I guess we weren't doing it for you. I heard the anit-war protests down there and thought they were great. We helped up here try to stop it. Instead of belitttling us for in your opinion not doing something just because you haven't heard it ...... try paying attention. First Nation groups, environmental groups ...... ordinary people just like me are very angry over it. Unfortunately ..... NAFTA has guaranteed our resources should be raped for your benefit. YOU protest it ...... I don't hear much from down there on it. Why not? You know where this oil is going every bit as much as anyone else, or you should.

Never mind ....... I know why we aren't getting help from down there ..... the same reason Iraq was allowed to go ahead.

[enid602]

85. good try

Good try. The same folks who are bringing tar sands to you also lobbied for them in Colorado, Wyoming and the Dakotas, I believe. That sort of shit just can´t fly here.

[polly7]

87. You really need to read a little more.

You're ignorant on the subject by choice, imo. What sort of 'shit', specifically?

[irislake]

94. We are. We are.

Support the Council for Canadians. They have real clout.

Ban the tar sands.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

97. Have you been protesting our "Mountaintop Removal" envirnmental fuck job?

just asking

[Lorien]

83. 30% or so are. Thank Reagan and the abolishment of the Fairness Doctrine.

Restoring the Fairness Doctrine-something that kept America sane and on a more even keel for decades- is now opposed by many Democrats because THEY have been so completely propagandized by the Far Right. Our media is completely dominated by Right Wing opinion. As Bill Maher said recently "The Democrats have moved to the Right and the Right has moved into a mental hospital. " None of this could have happened without the abolishment of the Fairness Doctrine, which ensured that both sides were allowed to present their case on any issue.

Another factor is education. George H. W. Bush said that a "fat, dumb and happy" population is easier to govern. So far the ruling elite have done an excellent job of stripping educational funding and pushing crap food past the FDA so that "fat and dumb" is exactly what we are left with.
Most of the people have little or no intellectual curiosity. They are taught from an early age that "The USA is the Greatest Nation on Earth" and that no other Nation matters in the least, so many here haven't a clue about anything that exists outside our borders. The idea that being born in the USA makes a person inherently superior is pervasive, so any suggestion that other people, ways of thinking, or governance might be equally valid, important, or even superior will get a knee jerk reaction out of many Americans.

Personally I've had enough. I'm broke and can't afford to move, but if I ever have enough of a pad to do it I'll be outta here!

[AntiFascist]

89. The Media has been dumbing down America for a while. n/t

[noiretextatique]

91. yes...some americans are embarassingly ignorant

and easily manipulated the rw media.

[irislake]

96. Hey

why don't you all come up and see us sometime? You don't have to wear a Canadian flag on your back pack cuz we know you're not all stoopid. You got Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert on your side to prove it.

[noiretextatique]

110. i am seriously considering moving to vancouver

i am an accountant, so i think that will get me some points on the emigration scale. :hi: thanks for the invite.

[Phx_Dem]

92. Sadly yes we are. But the majority of idiots are GOPers,

not that that makes it any better.

Embarrassssssing :blush:

[Ikonoklast]

95. Yah, almost as dumb as dem Newfies that never get off The Rock.

How's that?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

98. it 's called satire....he's a newbie and a fine lefty...I can personally vouch for that

[Ikonoklast]

100. Umm, I, too, was using my broad brush,

America does not have the market cornered on provincialism, political naivety, racism, or just plain stupidity.

But we are an easy target, because we don't try to hide it. The entire world can take potshots at us.


And my satirical answer should have tipped you off.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

111. facepalm....

:dunce:

[akbacchus_BC]

123. Aw, come on, that is not true. We have a lot of Newfies here in

Vancouver, problem is, some, not all, cannot shake the mentality but we get along.

[tbyg52]

101. Hi Adam Kirur!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

Yes, enough of us are that dumb, I'm sorry to say. Or at least that brainwashed. I'm worried about us, too.

[grantcart]

102. Is this a trick question?

[Phx_Dem]

104. LMAO!

[DutchLiberal]

105. It's not exclusively American. It's a universal problem.

People will believe whatever they want, no matter how crazy it is, if it fits their worldview.

[IntravenousDemilo]

176. Just off topic here...

I'm really loving Amsterdam so far. Just got in yesterday from Metz. The train trip through the countryside was kind of dull, though. I'm originally from the flat part of Canada, so there's not a lot of novelty in flat land. And really, if you've seen one stretch of scenery, you've pretty much seen them all. Nature's pretty, yes, but it's the works of man that are beautiful.

[DutchLiberal]

201. Bill O'Reilly disagrees about Amsterdam (and got slammed by two Dutch students):

http://www.nrc.nl/international/article2316356.ece/Amsterdam,_the_cesspool,_strikes_back_at_OReilly

[Saboburns]

106. Yes

And some of us are FAR dumber.

[Cha]

107. They're bush+cheney voters..

what else would look that stupid in a town hall meet on Health Care Choice? During the bush years they went to his choreographed town halls and cheered him on as he told them he "slept like a baby when Soldiers were dying in Iraq".

[Stephanie]

108. Jesus. Why do you pose thsi question to US?

Go ask it over here: www.freerepublic.com

[ElsewheresDaughter]

112. He posted it on Red State and was banned in all of 90 seconds LOL

[tavalon]

109. Well, you need to talk to the Freepers

We on this site have been going to the town hall meetings to try to shut them up and protect and defend our congresscritters. Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh and most of the repugs are stoking the flames of the inbred retarded 28%ers. Yep, we have a contingent of really stupid people but our bell curve falls on average intelligence and most but not all of the people here fall on the highly intelligent part of the bell curve, so while I'm sure you're just using us as a platform, this is frankly, the wrong platform. We're doing everything in our power to get the 28%ers to shut up and take their meds.

[valerief]

115. Some people believe whatever their pastors tell them. And some pastors get paid well to

pass along the propaganda.

That's my take.

[Doctor_J]

116. THe problem is that the 28% that are rock-stupid run the country

they get all of the radio and TV time, newspaper exposure, and they're allowed to vote, unlike people who read. write, and work.

[deutsey]

117. All it takes is a loud, ignorant minority,

a predominantly corporate-owned media, and elite, wealthy interests getting their message out 24/7 via TV, and you can make it appear as though there's a groundswell of outrage against healthcare reform when there is none.

Remember back during the anti-war protests, anti-Bush protests at the coronations, and the anti-GOP protests at the conventions and how corporate-owned media diminished them, made them appear like a bunch of cranks, commies, and weirdos roving the streets?

As long as TV is the main definer of how we perceive and understand reality and most TV is controlled by reactionary and corporate interests, the real nuts will appear like they're the majority and the rest of us will appear marginalized.

[NoSheep]

119. Racism, hatred, greed, fear of scarcity, lack of education, blah, blah

[AlbertCat]

121. Almost 80% want Health Care Reform

So that leaves about 20% to be used by the huge, wealthy Health Care Industry.

This 1/5th gets 2/3's of all news coverage.

So the real question is:

Is America's News Media that dumb?


And Blue Dog Dems, worried about not getting re-elected 1st and foremost by a minority that never voted for them in the 1st place.

Are Blue Dogs that dumb?


The American People are no dumber or smarter than anyone else on the planet. But the other subgroups I mentioned.....

[Forkboy]

122. Not me, just everyone else.

;)

[akbacchus_BC]

125. LOL, just couldn't help myself! n/t

[Norrin Radd]

124. We are number one

in brainwashed idiots.

[Skittles]

129. I feel for you Adam but

you cannot imagine the pain I feel as an American asking the same question

[TayTay]

131. The answer to that question is not a yes or no thing

America is a land full of myths and legends. The people you are talking about are subscribers to a very different set of myths about America than the ones we tend to promote in our textbooks. That faction has always been here. Intolerance, ignorance and an exaggerated sense of self-independence are as much a part of the American legacy as anything else.

No, we are not all that "dumb." But it's complicated. Ask me a different question, one without that filter, and you can have a more involved answer.

[earcandle]

132. No Kidding. The best way to get rid of these conversations is to not publish them on the news, or

in the broadcast media.  They will stop when they stop getting
attention.


Including the asshats who are wearing guns.  Okay so you have
a right to bear arms
in public, but not concealed weapons.  SO if we see someone
use their gun, they are 
obviously going to get prosecuted for the crime they commit. 

[Iggo]

134. No. An neither are you Canadians. (n/t)

[Iggo]

147. Now, was that typo irony? Or karma?

Oy vay.

[deep1]

135. Adam, it is quite sad.........

We had made so many advancements in the 60s and 70s until these demonic cretins from the Republican party started spreading their ignorance to the masses for power and financial gain.

Something is happening to this country and I would not be surprised if it ends up in third world status. We are heading there. Notice no Europeans are immigrating to this country anymore. Notice even the East Indians and Chinese are going back to their homelands.

This country is decaying.

[swilton]

137. Brilliant

:bounce: :kick: :woohoo: :woohoo: :applause:

[riverbendviewgal]

138. I used to say huh but now I say eh

I was born in the USA but have lived the past 40 years in Canada and I am now a citizen.
I can confirm Americans ARE stupid and ignorant because my brothers, their families and my mother are very big Fox fans and believe every stupid lie Fox spouts. My brother is an ex Marine who never saw combat but sat at a desk in Washington DC his whole two years of duty yet he is real "warrior" and loved all those Mid Eastern wars and loves to see all those "rag heads" (his words) killed.
He tells me to keep my nose out of the USA business and that American doctors are the best and Canadian doctors can't come close and Canadians are coming to the USA in droves for medical care. .

My son and husband both had cancers, diagnosed two months apart. It was a fight for 3 years , one dying 17 months before the other but they got the best treatments and it cost us nothing. zero!
I am a widow and not bankrupt from health expenses.

My brother just wrote me that he doesn't know Canada's president and doesn't want to.
He is a football loving, bar hopping true American. And his nickname is Bubba. He doesn't live in the south either. My mother doesn't even read the paper or watch the news. She wasn't aware of how serious the missile crisis was in Kennedy's administration. She gets very upset when I talk about Obama.

My family is right out of the book "Deer Hunting For Jesus". I have given up on them and am tired of the abuse they give me. Another thing, my brother would never feel bad if something terrible happened to Obama.
He is a birther too. I turned out different than my family because I am 75 percent deaf so I read alot and my mind expanded. It was Canadian doctors that told me that my hearing could be improved with hearing aid.
I love Canada and when I visit America I do find there are a lot of misinformed and ignorant Americans. I will never leave Canada. It is the greatest country in the world for me.

[autorank]

139. self delete

[defendandprotect]

140. Can Canadians come and save us from ourselves?

Unbelievable, isn't it --

On the other hand, I'm waiting for someone -- unions, Democrats, women's groups -- to call

us all out into the street to demonstrate for MEDICARE FOR ALL -- !!!

(sigh)

I don't think there is any hope for us and the more I see of these films of Town Hall Meetings

the more depressing it is!

We've had large computers used by corporate press since the mid-1960's

and individual electronic voting machines coming in since the late-1960's

All coincidentally around the time we passed The Voting Rights Act!

Two journalists investigated computer voting in then ...

See: http://www.constitution.org/vote/votescam__.htm


PS: You really think we sent men to the moon!?



help . . .

[Rosa Luxemburg]

142. Too preoccupied with American Idol, I expect

instead of thinking sensibly

[VPStoltz]

143. Frank Luntz

[RagAss]

145. A sub 100 IQ is a scary thing.

[akbacchus_BC]

146. You could have framed that question much better, starting off with a

negative question is not gonna win you any hearts and minds. Look in the mirror, we have Harper, a neocon tool who was Bush's lap dog and look a bit further, we have effing Campbell in BC, another neocon. Both are riding on Bush's coattails to reform Canada's health care.

Don't knock them when we have the same assholes right here in Canada. And you know what, at least some Americans have the balls to state how they feel, Canadians not so much, they think immigrants are fools and the racism keeps going on and on!

So leave the Americans alone, they know how to fight their battles and they will come out proud if they back their current President. Got to give you a kudos for the 'townhall hoolers'. We are not perfect either, we have our own problems. Look back at the Vietnam war, Canada welcomed soldiers from the US who did not want to deploy, after the invasion of Iraq, Canada turned its ass against American soldiers who opposed the invasion, yeah, you should be proud of that! Frankly, since we opposed the invasion of Iraq, we should have embraced Americans who did not want to go kill innocent people!

[Sandrine for you]

148. From a Québec-City point of view,

From a Québec-City point of view, it look like if the american people is the most stupid one of the planet.

Yeah here we are so sure to be the only nation to really understand how we should live and think. Sometimes we take some look to some northern european countries and suffer comparisons, but our certitude is made, maybe we have some really little things to learn, but it will not come from the USA, this bunch of stupid Waco. And we do not have much respect for the west of Canada, anyway we just don't care about them. Like we said: the rest of Canada is just that: the Rest of Canada.

Just to say that we have a huge proportion of dumb citizens, from the right to the left, who just repeat like parrot what the brother in law said when he drink too much french wine.

So, I don't think that the american people is more dumb than we are.

I think it's just a msm thing. In USA the media just don't make the ''journalism working'' like the media in Montréal and Toronto are doing. In Canada, journalist just like to debunk the stupid things, and they make a work of research. In USA they just put opposition debate, with peoples who are just there to pass the meme of their side, to continue the political communication strategies of their side, even if it's really stupid. So It look like if the american are living in some strange dimensions.

[akbacchus_BC]

150. Americans are not stupid, they came out in drove to protest the invasion

of Iraq, we did our part too and thanks to our then PM Chretien, he said no to the invasion. My point is that lots of Americans walked the talk against the invasion but Bush would not listen.

I would like to think our media is better but not so, Harper banned the media! Talk about narcisstic!

[Sandrine for you]

153. Harper is trying to banned the media...but hey, look at the media in

Montréal or Toronto, you will find a lot more of real critical thinking than in USA.

And I don't think that Harper will succeed, look what happen when he tried to cut the fund of the other parties, look the way how our journalist debunk the real objective of his move.

I really think their is someting special about the msm in USA. They are marginalised the ones who make ''journalism working''.

[akbacchus_BC]

155. Suffice it to say, our media is real journalism, they do not pull shit out

of their ass to suit the politico. We have great journalists in Canada as opposed to that asshole Michelle Malkin, Glen Back, O'Liely, etc. Have you ever seen any our our journalists ranting on TV? What is your idea of real critical thinking, aha, Glen Beck!

Gimme me a break, Canadians are a bunch of wimps, Harper in his third term! And the assholes silenced Dion only to get that fucktard Ignatieff who spent 25 years in the US and backed the invasion of Iraq. Gimme a break!

[Sandrine for you]

157. Humm, I'm asking myself: should I give him a break ? I think I should because

he just put oppositions view, in falls comparisons, without real research of the canadian politic and the role of media in Canada. So he is doing exactly what I said about the msm in USA.

So I'm giving you a break.

Wimps, that's exactly how Fox want you to think about Canadians...

So give you a break.

[Grinchie]

149. Yes, most Americans make Homer Simpson look brilliant.

As far as the Astro Turfers, I'm not so sure. There are some people that actually think like that, and if you don't agree, they do go apopleptic, their veins start bulging, and throw a fit of rage.

Yes, they really are that stupid.

[akbacchus_BC]

152. Are you a hit and run poster? You should stay and respond to the questions!

[Quantess]

166. Yeah. Stand still so we can slap you!

:D

[Adam Kirur]

197. I've answered a couple already

Couldn't help but notice, however, that you don't seem to have one!

:nuke:

[countmyvote4real]

158. Even more so...

If the former Soviet Union had not blinked and folded under Raygun, they would be holding our balls/ovaries like China does now.

In the meantime, Texas is hellbent on dumbing us down even further with their textbook content revisions of American history.

[noamnety]

160. I don't understand the question.

You used a lot of big words. Was I supposed to read the whole thing?

:)

[The Animator]

165. Sadly, I suspect that a large portion of Americans are simply unware that

where they get their news is just as important as the content of it. Many simply do not realize, that when they get their news from a clearly emotional, and opinionated source, that the message is shaped by the messenger. The emotion in their voice, their word choice, colors and distorts the report. The tone of the reporter suggests to you, on some subtle level, how you should feel about this story.

It should make you feel warm and fuzzy, that your government is keeping you safe in public restrooms by putting cameras in the stalls to watch you pee... It should make you angry that some college kid has the gall to tell a congressmen that he doesn't think we should be at war.

When you become aware of the influences that shape your perception of the world, you kind of become immune. You cease to be a puppet when you finally notice the strings and start resisting the tug.


That said, I've often held that Republicans consistently cut funding to education because they wan the masses to be dumb... Dumb people vote Republican...

[laconicsax]

167. You tell me...

[old mark]

171. We have a terrible education system, designed to turn out unquestioning

"good workers" and little more. Higher education in the US is just another business. TV and newspapers have become entertainment and lack importance. People in the US have very short attention spans, little culture beyond NASCAR, and way too much drug usage.


mark

[IntravenousDemilo]

173. Agreed -- well, 99 per cent, anyway.

The other one per cent is because I believe the telephone, and possibly the light bulb (depending on one's sources) were actually developed in Canada.

My impression is that a substantial majority of Yankees are SO FUCKING STUBBORN and disdainful of anything not home-grown (especially if it comes from that inferior communist country to the north), that if the American method of doing a thing included crawling naked on one's hands and knees over red-hot coals, and a Canadian suggested walking barefoot in cool grass instead, they'd opt for the former, just because.

If this were not the case, the US would be like Canada, and Americans would act like Canadians. There's no other reason why they aren't and don't, except for sheer pigheadedness tinged with xenophobia.

[MasonJar]

175. Actually a lot of Americans are uneducated, uncultured and unashamed of being that way.

Sad but true. Most seldom travel outside their country and so have no world view. They relax in front of a pro-football game or watching FAUX News with a beer in one hand and some fattening food in the other. I am sorry to say it, but I am singularly unimpressed with many Americans, and I AM ONE.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

178. Not only are many Americans dumb, they are arrogant about it

I've read the health care bill. I went to a health forum yesterday, and those opposed (which included my Congressman) weren't interested in hearing facts. When it was pointed out to them the superiority of British health care, my Congressman said, "OH, but the CANADIANS only have 4 MRI units in their WHOLE COUNTRY!!!!!! That's RATIONING and can't be good! Let's keep our system!"

First of all, I'd like to know if his "facts" were as accurate as his other statements about the bill (I was ready to scream out subtitle and section to refute some of his claims).

Then came the clincher. The crowd cheered as one man said "Health care isn't a right! It is a privilege!" So I guess the bozos in the crowd think it is far better to have the "privilege" of going bankrupt or dying early because they've lost their health insurance.

I'm beginning to think that the intelligent people have all moved north, and I took a wrong turn by moving south to Arkansas.

[WinkyDink]

179. Germany invented the automobile (and Werner von Braun was not native). But yes, we ARE that dumb!

[Adam Kirur]

186. I notice this isn't on the Front Page now

Have I been a bad boy?

[RFKHumphreyObama]

187. Every nation has people who will disappoint from time to time

Americans gave Nixon two terms, Reagan two terms and Dubya two terms and, yes, there is a considerable bloc who don't seem to respond to reason and logic and common sense. But America also elected FDR four times, Truman twice, Kennedy once, gave Johnson a landslide majority and more recently voted for Clinton twice and Obama once. Incidentally America is probably the only place in the western world in recent history where a person from a racial minority has been elected President

Canada? Well, Canada elected Trudeau goodness knows how many times and Chretien three times and the Liberals have been in power for most of its history. It's true that Canadians are some of the most intelligent and compassionate people in the world. But you still get a significant bloc who consistently votes for people like Stockwell Day, Ralph Klein, Stephen Harper and the like -many of whom are climate-change denying, reactionary Bushbots. Would you like the whole nation to be judged on its intelligence on the basis of those people?

Me? I'm Australian. We've elected some good leaders in our time and we are compassionate and friendly people. But a considerable number of voters also kept John Howard -a sexist, racist, reactionary, climate-change denying, homophobic, embarrassing Bushbot -in power for eleven years. Not to mention that a significant bloc of voters also voted for that racist, xenophobic Pauline Hanson and her equally racist and xenophobic party. I wouldn't want the intelligence of my country to be based on those people

How about the UK? The UK has elected some great Prime Ministers and represents the hallmark of Westminster-style democratic government. And yet a considerable bloc of voters there kept Margaret Thatcher in power for three terms and the Bush-loving Tony Blair also in there for three terms and both did immeasurable damage in domestic and foreign policy. Yet I wouldn't presume to judge the intelligence of a whole nationality of people based on those who choose to elect right wing governments.

I could go on -Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands et all. All have people who have made embarrasing and stupid decisions from time to time. But there also exists in each and every place a considerable bloc of sane, rational and intelligent people who do challenge the status quo and work for good and for the advancement of progressive ideals and values.

[Enthusiast]

195. Dubya lost both elections.

And that is the truth. We can now see clearly why they were so highly motivated to place the Bush cabal into power. There is always a motive in any crime.

Just sayin'

[Autumn]

189. Yes n/t

[kid a]

193. filing under "Canadian Does it Again"

1. Another reason to consider moving north - common sense.

[earth mom]

194. Look no further than GD-P were people cheerlead politicians instead of demanding that they do their

damn jobs!

I never thought the stupidity of freeperville would infect DU but it has.

[DutchLiberal]

203. Are Americans stupid? Let's put them to the test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE

Q: "Who won the Vietnam War?"
A: "We did! Wait... Were we in the Vietnam War?"

Q: "How many World Wars have there been?"
A: "Three!"

Q: "Where was the Berlin Wall?"
A: "Believe me, I don't know the answer to this question, but I'm thinking... Israel."

Remember: all these people are allowed to vote!

[martymar64]

204. Part of the problem is Voter Turnout and the lack thereof

Since you've studied American politics, you know that the percentage of eligible voters that actually do vote is abysmal by world standards.
Too many Americans are alienated entirely from the political system, allowing the RW a stronger foothold in the body politic than they would under a system with more robust participation by the people. I think it's a structural problem due to the winner-take -all character of the electoral college. Because of this construct, we are effectively limited to our two-party system. If proportional representation was enacted, then we would have a chance for more parties to appear and grant wider representation.

Of course, their are other things that need to be addressed, but this has bugged me about our system for decades.

[joeycola]

208. well, I am glad many Repugs did not turn out last year.

[ProSense]

209. Who are you trying to kid?

The Republicans turned out and got their ass kicked by 10 million votes.

[joeycola]

210. Not trying to kid anyone. Didn't the Repugs have a lower turnout

than usual? Serious question.

[joeycola]

211. “A downturn in the number and percentage of Republican voters going to the polls..."...........

I found this.



http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/06/report-08-turnout-same-or-only-slightly-higher-than-04/

November 6, 2008

Report: '08 turnout same as or only slightly higher than '04

Posted: November 6th, 2008 01:55 PM ET

From CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart
North Carolina had the highest increase in voter turnout, according to a report released Thursday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – A new report from American University’s Center for the Study of the American Electorate concludes that voter turnout in Tuesday’s election was the same in percentage terms as it was four years ago — or at most has risen by less than 1 percent.

Click here to read the entire report.

The report released Thursday estimates that between 126.5 and 128.5 million Americans cast ballots in the presidential election earlier this week. Those figures represent 60.7 percent or, at most, 61.7 percent of those eligible to vote in the country.

“A downturn in the number and percentage of Republican voters going to the polls seemed to be the primary explanation for the lower than predicted turnout,” the report said. Compared to 2004, Republican turnout declined by 1.3 percentage points to 28.7 percent, while Democratic turnout increased by 2.6 points from 28.7 percent in 2004 to 31.3 percent in 2008.

“Many people were fooled (including this student of politics although less so than many others) by this year’s increase in registration (more than 10 million added to the rolls), citizens’ willingness to stand for hours even in inclement weather to vote early, the likely rise in youth and African American voting, and the extensive grassroots organizing network of the Obama campaign into believing that turnout would be substantially higher than in 2004,” Curtis Gans, the center’s director, said in the report. “But we failed to realize that the registration increase was driven by Democratic and independent registration and that the long lines at the polls were mostly populated by Democrats.”.............................

[ProSense]

213. Nice try. Next time get data that's

not a couple of days after the election.

2008 Election Turnout Hit 40-Year High.

Another thing, a one percent increase would have done nothing to counter the massive butt kicking that losing by 10 million votes represents.

[joeycola]

215. Why are you so crabby? I am just trying to have a conversation for

pete's sake. No need to treat me like shit.

good night.

[ProSense]

206. Some are truly dumb, but hiding behind and encouraging the dumb are the dumb enablers:

the callous, disingenuous, greedy and self-serving assholes, e.g., Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, etc.

[dionysus]

212. i don't know man, but that was a hell of a post. welcome to DU.

:thumbsup:

[democracy1st]

217. LOL K & R

[lunatica]

218. It's the idiocracy class dontcha know...

You don't have to be American to belong to it, but our idiocracy class is louder than most 'cause they're entitled by all those code words you mention like freedom, liberty, and tyranny and its tree to be watered, the right to bear arms, and the right to free speech and the right to wrap themselves in the flag. Say those words and you've got yourself a knee jerk response instilled from early childhood.

[Adam Kirur]

219. The voters of Massachusetts ARE NOT included in the question!

Except the ones who voted for Mitt Romney. :-(