Dumb Asses!
The news that 35% of the American people would fail the test given to foreigners who want to become U.S. citizens is not news. For some time now, various surveys have shown that the mythical John Q. Public in the USA is quite ignorant of basic information about his own country. This, of course, has serious implications for the country and, indeed, the rest of the world.
Democracy presupposes an informed citizenry; otherwise, the People are just sheep led astray by any demagogue. A dumb populace will be easily manipulated into accepting falsehoods about themselves and others. Stupidity is also dangerous because it tends to become violent in its prejudices, both at home and abroad. One can't help but wonder how many of those soldiers who have engaged in outrageous behavior in Afghanistan and Iraq are part of the 35%.
So, there you have it. Another reason to reject the notion of American "exceptionalism", being "called upon to lead" or any other fabrication concocted to justify that the rest of us do what they tell us.
Democracy presupposes an informed citizenry; otherwise, the People are just sheep led astray by any demagogue. A dumb populace will be easily manipulated into accepting falsehoods about themselves and others. Stupidity is also dangerous because it tends to become violent in its prejudices, both at home and abroad. One can't help but wonder how many of those soldiers who have engaged in outrageous behavior in Afghanistan and Iraq are part of the 35%.
So, there you have it. Another reason to reject the notion of American "exceptionalism", being "called upon to lead" or any other fabrication concocted to justify that the rest of us do what they tell us.
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