Washington’s ‘governing elite’ think Americans are morons

[yallerdawg]

It's finally confirmed! I'm a member of the 'elites'!

Source: Washington Post Wonkblog, by Jeff Guo

*****
Since this wasn’t a random sample, and the authors don't tell us precisely what kinds of workers in what proportion were asked to participate, we have to take their word that this is a representative group of D.C. insiders.

Nevertheless, the results they present are eye-popping. On a wide range of issues, bureaucrats believe that Americans are ignorant. For instance, over half of them say that the public knows little to nothing about government crime programs, child care programs or environmental programs.



*****

A lot of this elitism is probably justifiable. When only 36 percent of adults can name the three branches of government, you wouldn’t want to hand over control of FDA to, say, your next-door neighbor. In the sample of bureaucrats that Bachner and Ginsberg looked at, the majority had master’s degrees or more. It should be a comfort knowing that there exists a specialized class of people who have dedicated their lives to understanding the intricacies of, say, tax credits for the poor or the diplomatic intrigues of the Caucasus.

*****

Fair enough. But respect, as the saying goes, is a two-way street, and Americans have a long and ignoble tradition of denigrating expertise. Today, nearly 40 percent of adults think there isn’t evidence for global warming. Skeptical parents won't vaccinate their children, endangering their communities with breakouts of preventable diseases like measles. So maybe we can make a deal. If we want experts to listen to our opinions, we might also do them the courtesy of sometimes listening to their opinions, too.

Much more at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/10/05/washingtons-governing-elite-actually-think-americans-are-morons/

[vlyons]

1. and why should we know?

When has the MsMedia ever educated the public about gov programs? Even PBS and NPR doesn't educate about gov programs. When has commercial media, radio, tv, print, ever extolled the virtues of staying in school, using the library, our tax dollars bringing us beneficial programs? The only gov ads that I see on TV are "join the army," but join Americorp, not so much.

[WestCoastLib]

9. Intellectual curiousity

People have to take it upon themselves to be educated. It''s relatively easy to look this stuff up.

[Exilednight]

10. It's not the job of news organizations to educate people, it's their

job to inform you of what is happening and point you in directions to find more information. This is the reason why PBS and NPR almost always end their reports with "you can find more information at ...".

Even if a news organization wanted to educate the public on the tax code at a rate of a page a day with 15 minute segments, it would take two years, in which the code would be revised at least five or six times.

[whatthehey]

2. I think they are too kind

When I get into political discussions with people making strong claims to political acumen I always ask them who their Rep is in the House. Asked that question at least 30 times.


Got the right answer exactly once.


What do you think they know about federal environmental programs?

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

3. I don't blame them for thinking that

Enough people, nearly half, are truly beyond stupid, to the point where it could be easy to assume everyone is a drooling Neanderthal.

[yallerdawg]

5. "Nearly half!"

Sure hope so!

[freebrew]

4. They may be close...

as it seems to represent the same level of confidence
that WE have in THEM.

Or maybe they misunderstood the question and are rating each other?

No doubt though, there's lots of idiots, goofballs and just plain dumbasses
here(not DU, I meant the citizenry) AND there.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Do they regard 'some' as less than 'very little'? The order of the table suggests they do

but I would say that normal people would order those headings as 'a great deal', 'quite a bit', 'some', 'very little' and 'none'. But then, the bolded entries for the largest groups would all appear in the middle, and this wouldn't look so disparaging, would it?

The adjectives applied are all subjective, of course.

[yallerdawg]

11. The public knows "little to nothing."

A range of "some."

Add some, very little and none together and we have a real number!

[Orrex]

7. Well a majority of the "governing elite" are morons, so let's call it a wash.

[yallerdawg]

13. If the 'governing elite' are Americans (which they are)...

then you are probably right!

[geek tragedy]

8. they're right nt

[Johonny]

12. I think a congress filled with Louie Gohmerts rates about as well so I'm not sure what to say.

Given that we have a Republican majority in the house and senate the AM dial is filled with hate radio, and FOX fake news is the leading source of information why should they expect an informed populous. Worse, this poll reflects my opinion of most GOPers elected to office. I think it is clear most of them also don't know anything about...well anything. Gohmert is stupid on levels that should not be allowed in elected office and people like him win all the time. Trump should get 18 percent of the vote and be as popular as big foot and UFOs. Instead he's polling in the 40s and will win states. Does anyone after a full year of listening to TRump think Trump rates "a great deal" in any of these categories?

[Delmette]

14. I think the defunding education is to blame

When we can't hire the best people to teach our children basic goverment, math, science, reading and critical thinking skills this is what we get from the bureaucrats and the general population. Everyone thinks everyone else is an idiot. Teacher salaries and school facilities can be better. This the future of our country at stake, yet too many people think that local school taxes are too high. I read about big corporations who protest their taxes thus leaving school systems broke until the protest is resolved. When corporations get a tax break to entice them to build a facility, it's the schools who go without until there is a bond issue voted in. Then the local homeowners pickup the tab.

I appreciate the good education I received (mostly in the 1960's) in a very small farming community. I gladly pay my taxes because it benefits me, my family and my community.

Thanks for reading, i'm done ranting.