is Congress getting dumber, or more plain spoken?

[Pocketman]

I find the results of this study rather interesting. I tend to think politicians in general are not as well spoken as their predecessors. They're still speaking over the heads of the average American, so maybe this isn't important? Interestingly enough, Dick Lugar is ranked near the top as a 13.4 grade level speaker.

Is Congress getting dumber, or just more plainspoken? - Sunlight Foundation

 

[Blackhawk2001]

It used to be that an erudite and polished speaker was considered a model for others to emulate. Alas, with the "dumbing down" of student curriculae in general, and the subsequent devaluation of education in certain segments of the population, politicians and other hucksters feel they must simplify their messages lest the hoi-polloi not understand them.

 

[handgun]

Most leaders only have a 10 point iq advantage over their subjects.

Much more than that then the general population will not be able to connect.

It really does not matter anymore. They are breeding leaders and are mere puppets of experts choosing their cloths from the tie to the underpanta they are wearing. Being told how to stand how to act and where to visit and what to say.. depending on the demographics.

Even if one may speak differently amongst their peers / family, they are being coached else where. At least on the campaign trail.

Better question is why does it cost so much to get elected even for a more local position?

 

[churchmouse]

Most leaders only have a 10 point iq advantage over their subjects.

Much more than that then the general population will not be able to connect.

It really does not matter anymore. They are breeding leaders and are mere puppets of experts choosing their cloths from the tie to the underpanta they are wearing. Being told how to stand how to act and where to visit and what to say.. depending on the demographics.

Even if one may speak differently amongst their peers / family, they are being coached else where. At least on the campaign trail.

Better question is why does it cost so much to get elected even for a more local position?

You just described our Coward and thief.....Molded, folded, made to fit any and all situations.

 

[Stschil]

You just described our Coward and thief.....Molded, folded, made to fit any and all situations.

Hey, he wears the pants of the nation. His wife picks them out, though.

 

[Pocketman]

...
Better question is why does it cost so much to get elected even for a more local position?

I heard or saw recently (it may have been associated with the "getting dumber" article) that most elections are now won by the better fundraiser. So intelligence, policy and message are no longer as relevant.

 

[Expat]

It is rather startling to listen to some of the great orators of the past and compare them to our current crop of pols. They used to use really big words and even sometimes tried to discuss fairly complex subjects. They also seemed to assume some level of intelligence in the listener.

 

[Blackhawk2001]

It is rather startling to listen to some of the great orators of the past and compare them to our current crop of pols. They used to use really big words and even sometimes tried to discuss fairly complex subjects. They also seemed to assume some level of intelligence in the listener.

To be fair, their audience was either there in person or their speeches were reported by newspapers or distributed on broadsheets, not doled out in carefully edited 10 second sound bites.

 

[CarmelHP]

...Interestingly enough, Dick Lugar is ranked near the top as a 13.4 grade level speaker.
/QUOTE]

All the better to talk out of two sides of his mouth.

 

[IndyDave1776]

I heard or saw recently (it may have been associated with the "getting dumber" article) that most elections are now won by the better fundraiser. So intelligence, policy and message are no longer as relevant.

Our society has reached the point of being sufficiently stupid that it is all about marketing--no thought required.