I think I'm starting to recognize the real issue with American politics now

[Minimalist]

I figure the story of Drumpf with the hookers has a 60% chance of being true given what a fucking sleaze the guy is.  There is a further 20% chance that the episode was understated and a 20% chance that it was overstated and only 10% that it did not happen at all.

So I don't like Drumpf, either.  In fact, he is roughly on a par with what I think of people who vote 3d party in a two-party election.

[Jesster]

The population of the USA includes many brilliant engineers, clever designers, savvy business owners, discerning doctors, thoughtful social workers, insightful nurses, skillful mechanics and knowledgable tradesmen...and that's just a start. Even the least educated and disadvantaged can get very clever when money is involved. Despite often contentious deliberations the people in my cooperative can reason quite well about how the the HOA dues get allocated. So, no. I totally disagree with anyone that considers the majority of Americans stupid. We are a resourceful and energetic people.

This is one of the rare occasions where I agree with you. People are just people. Being American does not make someone any less intelligent than if they were from Europe or Asia. The "dumb American" thing is nothing more than a tired meme no matter how screwed up our politics can be.

That being said, I'm not very confident about where our schools are headed these days in the USA. I guess we'll see.

[The Grand Nudger]

The euros are idiots too...ave you been watching the shit they've been up to? Don't get me started on asia.

[abaris]

I figure the story of Drumpf with the hookers has a 60% chance of being true given what a fucking sleaze the guy is.  There is a further 20% chance that the episode was understated and a 20% chance that it was overstated and only 10% that it did not happen at all.

So I don't like Drumpf, either.  In fact, he is roughly on a par with what I think of people who vote 3d party in a two-party election.

Even outspoken leftwing pundits believe it to be faked. So there's that. Guy's an asshole, but something's just too good to be true.

[Anomalocaris]

The problem with the American system is the sUstained realization of its more attractive promises are contingent upon the average voter being above average in each of the following: judgement, secular education, IQ, liberalness of mind,  and astute assessment of his fellowmen.