What can you say about a country whose political discourse

[chieftain]

is dominated by ex disc-jockeys ? If anyone ever seriously questioned whether the dumbing down of America has been accomplished , the conclusive evidence is before our very eyes or actually our ears . Rush Limbaugh , Glen Beck , Todd Schnitt and all the other little wannabes out there in Comcast land would be spinning top 40 tunes and shilling for used car dealers in any other era . In today's America , they can expound on the law , foreign affairs and morality and a huge portion of the population fails to see that the joke is on all of us . To contemplate the great thinkers of the U.S. past , without regard to whether they be conservative or liberal ,and then compare them with this motley crew of talking point readers is to fear for the republic .

[coloradodem2005]

1. No Shit.

I think the dumbing down of everything has been accomplished.

[classof56]

2. Indeed, I am afraid.

Very afraid. I have put over six decades on this planet, most of which I have been proud and honored to be American born. Bushco, Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage and all the rest have combined to make me not only afraid but discouraged, disappointed, disillusioned and overwhelmed by a sense of despair.

Shame on all of them. May their days be short and full of trouble!

Tired Old Cynic

[democracyindanger]

3. U-S-A! U-S-A!

[tabasco]

4. You bet I fear for the republic.

A good education teaches you to carefully consider the source of your information. This simple act of intellect is completely foregone by millions of people. They take the word of these hatemongers as the gospel. Large numbers of easily manipulated people is a bad thing.

[chieftain]

7. There was an article in our Bradenton newspaper

that indicated that social studies and history were getting short shrift in Florida schools . The reason given was the emphasis from teachers on the FCAT , or Jeb's gift to a quality education . So one result of No Child Left Behind is that our heritage will be lost to this and future generations . And the shame will be that when our Democracy is lost , no one will remember what has been squandered .

[Maccagirl]

5. It's depressing, sobering and frightening

and I'm at a complete loss what to do about it. It's like watching a car wreck in slow motion.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. Yes... but the car wreck is no accident... it's being done on

purpose... shame.

[chieftain]

8. That's an apt description .

[solinvictus]

9. DJ's cross the line, too.

Independent of Limbaugh and others, many DJ's and on-air personalities who are on music stations cross the line. Ever listen to John Boy and Billy in the mornings? The guys can be funny as hell, but they're shameless Republican shills, at one point even backing up Rush by stating no one with his wealth would need to make parking lot drug scores. We need to restore and enforce the Fairness Doctrine. Whatever became of it?