The Dumbing Down of America Under Bush
June 12, 2008 · Print This Article
America has become a nation of idiots.
I think the point where I really started to worry was when people began using the phrase ‘freedom fries’ as a substitute for ‘french fries’. It spread like syphilis at a Roman orgy after France refused to take part in the invasion of Iraq, when anti-France sentiment grew here in the U.S. and two Republican congressmen decided to officially change the name in the restaurants and snack bars run by the House of Representatives. ‘Dang it all, Jeb, if the Republican gov’ment says it, then we should too! Those fancy French people, they’s all disloyal and anti-American and stuff!’
As if that weren’t enough, frighteningly, we seem to be endlessly entertained by crotch gags, like the ‘Ow My Balls!’ segments on America’s Funniest Videos. Some of the most popular programs on television are those that depict people eating bull testicles, transforming themselves into scary plastic mannequins via dozens of plastic surgery procedures, intentionally trying to hurt themselves in the stupidest ways possible and competing for the dubious affections of a man wearing a giant clock around his neck.
Then there are the email forwards. Christ on a bicycle, people, would you please verify that the information you’re about to send is correct before forwarding it to 98 of your closest friends, relatives, business associates and random acquaintances? I don’t know how many times I’ve had to direct the sender of a ridiculous email to Snopes.com to get the real story. It seems that many people are content to simply believe whatever is convenient for them to believe. If they want to convince themselves that Barack Obama really did go to terrorist training school, refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and was sworn into office using the Koran rather than the Bible, they damn well will.
I could go on all day, but you get the point.
We’ve been set up to live like zombies, soothed by television and consumerism, told exactly what to think and how to live our lives. We self medicate with a round of Bud Light after work, let commercials and advertisements dictate how we spend our hard-earned money and avoid news and commentary that threatens our own intentionally narrow views of the world.
For those who actually make a weak attempt at educating themselves about current affairs, local news offers a bleakly sensationalized 30-minute roundup of clips designed to keep the viewer interested with inane lead-ins (“Is YOUR CHILD going to get RABIES from SEX-PROMOTING bracelets given to them by PEDOPHILES at school? FIND OUT NEXT!”). What’s more, many local news stations have published clips provided by the government that are no more than thinly veiled propaganda designed to sway public opinion. What little real information gets through is watered down, hurried through, and hardly noticed at all – or the viewer simply takes the few minutes of world news coverage to have a bathroom break before returning for sports or the weather.
Even ‘respectable’ publications like Time Magazine and Newsweek have taken part in the game: both have featured dramatically different international vs. American cover stories. Time Magazine chose to run “Why We Should Teach the Bible in Public School” in the U.S. in March 2007 while its Europe, Asia and South Pacific covers highlighted a story on the resurgence of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. A few months prior, Newsweek had put photographer Annie Liebovitz on its U.S. cover while a story about how America is losing in Afghanistan ran on its international covers. Do publications intentionally talk down to Americans, or is it really just that we’re so vapid, the important stories don’t sell?
The worst part is, Americans display an almost childlike refusal to accept the idea that there is anything wrong with the culture that has been building for decades and has been brought to a mind-boggling dumb crescendo under the Bush administration. Our fellow citizens use patriotism as a shield against the unwelcome spear of reality.
What is clear is that the Bush administration has intentionally designed the downfall of American intellect to fall into line with its narrow, savagely partisan neo-con agenda. Guilt Christians into believing that Republican policies follow the teachings of the Bible? Check. Throw the ‘Anti-American’ label on anyone who doesn’t display mindless patriotism? Check. Push hot-button issues like gays, guns and God to the forefront of discussion to cause a deep political divide? Check. Tactics like these have allowed Bush and Co. to run rampant for nearly a decade, tossing around words like ‘terrorism’, ‘national security’, ‘Jesus’ and ‘CIA intelligence’ whenever convenient to prevent people from asking too many questions.
Science and education have suffered dramatically under Bush’s reign. The No Child Left Behind Act, rather than improving our public education, has caused damage that will be difficult to repair. The dropout rate in many cities is higher than 50%, and many current college students (who completed middle school through high school during the Bush occupation of the White House) lack basic life skills like figuring out how much to tip at a restaurant. Forget deciphering statistics, evaluating laboratory results or interpreting literature. A quarter of the general population still thinks the sun revolves around the earth, and more than I care to identify claim that dinosaur bones were put on earth by God as a test or that all the dinosaurs drowned during the ‘great flood’ of Noah’s Ark fame.
The Bush administration has also stifled science, making it harder for foreign-born scientists to work and live in America due to ‘terrorism concerns’ and willfully obstructed and ignored science that contradicts their own religious beliefs or prevents their powerful corporate and political friends from achieving their own goals. Among the more well known examples is that of Jerry Thacker, a fundamentalist who called homosexuality a ‘deathstyle’ – he was appointed to a presidential AIDS advisory committee until public outrage prompted his ousting. The Bush administration even intentionally prevented scientists from releasing information that confirmed global warming as fact.
Many people are starting to awaken from our Bush induced idiot coma, but will it happen in time for the 2008 election? You can bet that the Swift Boat propaganda machine is already working on attacks against Obama and attempts to make McCain look like the savior of mankind. Four years ago, it seemed like Bush had already done so much damage that there was no chance in hell the people of this country would be dumb enough to reelect him. We all know what happened. Sometimes, culturally cultivated stupidity knows no bounds.
If McCain is elected, then there truly is no hope for this country. He’ll undoubtedly start a war with another country – Iran, perhaps? – and complete the death blow Bush and Co. started eight fateful years ago. Anyone who believes that McCain differs from Bush in any important, discernible ways need look no further than McCain’s own words to see the truth; in this 2005 interview with Tim Russert on Meet the Press, he made it very clear.
RUSSERT: The fact is you are different than George Bush.
SEN. McCAIN: No. No. I–the fact is that I’m different but the fact is that I have agreed with President Bush far more than I have disagreed. And on the transcendent issues, the most important issues of our day, I’ve been totally in agreement and support of President Bush.
McCain, even if he is personally open to environmental legislation, would be helpless against a Republican cabinet in any attempts to actually pass beneficial laws. Not only would he initiate more pointless, expensive wars, he would retain the imbalance of power that keeps Americans at the mercy of greedy corporations, give more power to pharmaceutical and insurance companies that messed up our health care system so much in the first place and continue the conservative stronghold that has held America hostage for the better part of a decade. And that’s just the beginning.
We see the term ‘elitist’ thrown around like it’s a bad word: it’s part of what ruined John Kerry in 2004. They’re already starting to get their digs in on Obama: he eats arugula! Elitist! The funny thing is, don’t we want our leaders – especially our President – to be smarter and better than us? Leaders are supposed to emerge from the masses as those who see a better way, and can – you know – lead us to a brighter future on the horizon. Many Americans voted for Bush over Gore in 2000 because they found him ‘more charismatic’ and because ‘he made them laugh’. As a result, instead of a President, we got a court jester. Great job, America! Let’s not mess up that badly again this November.
Barring another dazzling display of American stupidity (because, naturally, not all of us are idiots), Barack Obama is going to save this country. It won’t be pretty or easy to get out of Iraq, but it will happen. The government will again embrace the warm but firm embrace of science, subsidies will start to shift from fossil to renewable energy, and all will be good. Eight years of Obama followed up by eight years of a Stewart/Colbert ticket should set us up nicely for a great 21st century.
Photo credit: Brian M + The Propaganda Remix Project
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Absolutely brilliant, concise writing. I have been trying to preach these same issues and ideals to my friends and relatives since the election of 2004. With any luck, Obama’s campaign crew will strive be equally as deviously cunning in their attacks on McCain as the Republican party has been for the past 8 years.
Man Stephanie you can really throw down! You have been holding back on this one for a while! Must feel good to let it out. In any event, you couldn’t be more right! I am not only poorer now then eight years ago, I am also dumber!
Hear, hear. I just moved from one of the small portions of America to Dumbfuckistan, and I feel as though my IQ is being sucked out of me every time I’m forced to have a conversation with people here, or shop at Walmart. I’ve seen more people apathetic about life and the lives of others here, than there are cab drivers in NYC. Political discussions are impossible. I long for the day when I can go back to the pressure cooker of advanced thought and progress, even if part of it is illusion.
Nice work Stephanie. This is really great writing.
Why, thank you for the kind words, gentlemen. Shea is responsible for coming up with many of the main points, including the Stewart/Colbert ticket (don’t we wish?)
Well done, and 100% on the money! Great job!!!!
Stephanie – terrific writing. Keep up the good work.
Wow, I’m going to tattoo this on my back. It’s EXACTLY my point about our last stupid decade and the damage it’s done. Great work!
Oh, Kelly, if you tattooed this on your back, you would be my most very special friend.
You rock, Stephanie!! this is great and I think I’ll tattoo this on my butt!
What exactly is everyone getting tattooed? The map? The whole article? I could see that being painful for how long it’d take.
If anyone actually got a tattoo inspired by this post, we’d give them $300. And a hat. And maybe a pencil made from recycled newspaper.
Thank you, Stephanie for having the courage to speak freely on the dismantled society we call America. I agree whole heartedly with you and think maybe you should run for president! I will make sure jacksonville votes for you!
Come on… Colorado is about to rejoin America in ‘08.
Ooh, I love those pencils!
Thank you Stacy. I would make a terrible president. I’m too lazy. Plus, you know, it’s all too easy to dig up my past of drugs, hookers and killing sprees.
I must disagree with that map slightly. You see, in the middle of the north part of Florida there is a small, college city that still values the environment and education. This last outpost surrounded by rednecks and cut off from the rest of blue America has been called the Berkley of the south and Tree City U.S.A. It is a little, though scorching hot, paradise. Please don’t forget us. We may need help escaping if we lose the battle.
Green in Gainesville – there are definitely patches of hope in Dumbfuckistan! lol. Asheville NC, where I live, is one. For the record, I didn’t create that map. Some dude known only as ‘Brian M.’ did, after the 2004 election.
HEY !! I live in dumbfuckistan and I categorically deny that name !!
We’re dumb but, Stan don’t get NO fuckin’ !! LOL -LOL !!!
So truly true, Stephanie.
Wow, I leave for a few days, and when I get back from my honeymoon, Earthfirst is not only producing content that I feel contributes to the overall value of the internet even more than usual, but there’s a bajillion new commenters!
But remember people, as I was so entirely reminded in my recent visits through customs and airline security, there is only one issue that everyone should really be concerned with. It affects our families, our safety, our economy…
THE TERRORISTS TOOK OUR JOBS!!!!
Oh… and on another note….
Lexus greenwashing ads? That’s odd, I mean, of all the places I’d expect to ….
WHAT THE BLOODY UPSIDEDOWN FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER!??? A JOHN MCCAIN AD?
HA HA HA AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!
Pwned by an ad network. I hear Ecogeek has the number of some eco-friendly coal companies, if you want to diversify.
You’ll always be our favorite commenter Roy. Welcome back!
They tookir jobbbbbssss!!!!
Roy, I was wondering where you went! Congratulations!
Stephanie,
Yes, Asheville is quite nice and like Gainesville in quite a few ways, though not quite as hot. However, our street system is easier to navigate since it’s more of a grid and flatter — but I can’t complain about the view in Asheville.
I hate to say this, but a lot of the reason why Dumbfuckistan exists is racial. American society dumbs everyone down, but white people seem especially susceptible.
The blatant racial appeals that the old Dixiecrats used to make have been taken over by the Republicans and goddamn they still work like a charm. Think Nixon, Reagan and Bush I and II.
I’d like to think that we may be in the beginning of a recovery phase, but I’m not holding my breath
Bobbo, I think it’s more related to religion than anything. I think there is a lot of guilt, fear and defensiveness in play and Republican politicians like to tap into that to their advantage (i.e., keeping themes like abortion and gay marriage at the forefront). Bringing religion into it can turn the discussion awfully hairy though, I know.
Green in Gainesville, there’s no doubt about that. I grew up in Florida and the grid system is FAR easier to navigate! It took me forever to figure out how to get around once I moved here. I’ve been to Gainesville quite a few times (I went to college in St. Aug and had friends at UF); it’s definitely a beautiful city.
Believe me, I hate Bush as much as the next guy, but you need to stop blaming him for “dumbing down” America. Popular shows on TV are popular because Americans like them and watch them, not because Bush created them. The covers of Time and Newsweek magazines also have NOTHING to do with George W Bush! If Americans are stupid, it’s our own fault.
And please, leave Flavor Flav out of this.
Chloe, the point was not to blame George W. Bush, the man, for America’s stupidity. It’s his entire administration, their policies and the mindset they have encouraged in our country. Of course, Bush is not solely responsible for the idiocy here. His presidency simply made it worse.
And, sorry, but I caught part of an episode of Flavor of Love once (the one where one of the girls shat herself and leaked it all over the stairs, ohmygod) and I definitely lost some brain cells during those few minutes.
Great article but one must keep in mind that the majority of Americans voted against Bush in 2000 but it is well known and proven that the 2000 election was rigged and with the help of Supreme Court justices such as that scum Scalia.
“Dumbfuckstain”? LOL
If there was an area more full of “dumassfuckstains” than anywhere, it would be the northeast . I laugh at how they claim to be so smart and educated on the web, but when you go up there, you find that the IQ level of most everyone, is that of a gnat. On top of that, they’re just as, if not more, racist up there than anywhere I have been in the country, and mind you, i’ve been all over the south.
Then we have the west coast. You can hear the wind whistle as it blows through their hollow heads.
Now as for the north-central part of the country. I’ve them to be rather decent people. They have great cheese, but I am sorry to tell the folks from Chicago that the low IQ morons from N.Y.C. have way better pizza and hot dogs.
The rest of the country, which low IQ idiots like yourself call the land of “dumbassfuckstain”, happens to be full of decent smart people and great hospitality. Of course there are hard core republicans who can come across as “dumbassfuckstains”, but to think that the blue state dipshits in the northeast don’t come across far worse, is to be a biased “dumbfuckstain” yourself.
Anyhow, I could care less. I think the reds and the blues are fooling themselves, as their party leaders were all bought and sold out to corporate america a long time ago.
The “dumbassfuckstains” are the idiots who allow are country to be dominated by a two party system. By the rant on this page, I can tell that you, Brian M, are one of them to.
Cheers!!
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Pub’s note: You dropped your vowels there, better pick ‘em up.
Ha. Welcome to EarthFirst, Raid. The graphic at the top of the post says ‘Dumbfuckistan’, read like ‘Pakistan’, ‘Turkmenistan’ and ‘Kazakhstan’, not ‘dumbassfuckstains’.