Many, many people ask why we have so many dumbasses

https://www.pressherald.com/2017/01/01/alan-caron-america-is-suffering-from-a-dangerous-knowledge-deficit/

As Susan Jacoby, author of “The Age of American Unreason,” wrote: “Every shortcoming of American governance is related in some fashion to the knowledge deficit of the public.” And our knowledge deficit is growing:

• For the first time in America’s history, this generation will be less educated than the last.

• Sixty-eight percent of public school third-graders cannot read proficiently.

• We’re 19th among young people with a high school or associate degree.

• Where we once led the world in the number of young people with college degrees, we’re now in 12th place.

• We’re 52nd in the quality of university math and science instruction.

• Reading among all ages is declining rapidly. Forty percent of Americans under 44 haven’t read a book this year. Growing numbers of young people read nothing except required school assignments.

• Nearly 50 percent of all graduate students in the sciences in the U.S. are foreigners, most of whom will return to their home countries.

That’s taken a toll on our understanding of civics and politics:

• Two-thirds of Americans can’t name the three branches of our federal government.

• Only 40 percent know we have 100 senators in the U.S. Congress.

• Over 35 percent cannot name any rights granted by the First Amendment aside from free speech.

• Forty-two percent think that the Constitution established English as our national language.

• Twenty-five percent believe the Constitution also established Christianity as our national religion.

Our scientific knowledge is abysmal:

• Forty-two percent of Americans believe God created human beings less than 10,000 years ago.

• Eighteen percent of Americans believe that the sun revolves around the Earth.

• Only 28 percent of high school science teachers follow recommended guidelines on teaching evolution.

• Three out of four Republicans in the U.S. Senate and half of those in the House deny the validity of climate change, despite the warnings of virtually every major significant scientific organization in the world.

• American schools regularly undervalue intelligence while celebrating athletes and pretty cheerleaders. Schools in Europe and other economic competitors do nothing of the sort. Most don’t even have athletics in their schools.