Are Americans Dumb?

Sometimes when I travel abroad, I pretend I am Canadian.

Why do I do this? Usually, it is easier to navigate a foreign culture and citizenry as a non-threatening individual. In Europe (especially since 2000), Americans abroad have had trouble finding their tourism footing in foreign nations. Many times we are blocked from restaurants and clubs, and we are often scoffed at once our citizenship is revealed. It's tough to enjoy oneself on vacation when people sneer, jibe, and make snarky comments.

What is the trouble here? Surely, President Bush, unilateral moves into sovereign nations, and out-pressuring the UN in 2003 has something to do with it. Many Europeans believe Americans are aggressive, bullish pigs. In a way, it's true. Some Americans have serious superiority complexes enhanced by vehement nationalism spread after 9/11. A stereotype or not, it cannot be denied that some Americans are proud of both never leaving the US, and indeed, stubbornly refusing to consider new ideas concerning immigration into the US.

But the problem runs deeper. Upon speaking with some foreign citizens, it becomes clear that we Americans are perceived as stupid. This perception has become more apparent as we elected George Bush. Twice. The fact is, non-US citizens see President Bush as dangerously unintelligent (which is hard to argue against), and then draw parallels between the citizenry and the President. This logic is simple but seemingly accurate. The phenomenon of "he'd be a great guy to have a beer with," swept the nation, and all of a sudden we had George W. in the oval office. People identified with him in 2000 as a non-threatening, non-elite, folksy character that understood 'real' America. It's not a hard leap to assume Americans were duped into electing a sub-par President.

But, the majority of Americans are not stupid. Yes, there are a few ignorant folks out there who may still believe George Bush has done a great job. Bush was elected twice because the GOP understood why Americans were aching, and then capitalized on it. The American population has become obsessed with money, power, greed, material objects, domination, and advancement. Our work lives, our personal lives, and indeed, our political lives are highly aggressive and competitive. We seek to destroy others to get promotions, we try to dominate and control others in personal relationships, and when talking politics, fights can break out. It's the way of the US, and while people don't necessarily admit it, they are exhausted.

The GOP recognized this exhaustion, and brought forward a guy who seemed different--he was saved by God (hello, Bible Belt?), he had overcome obstacles (alcoholism), and he didn't speak in high-brow language (hello, New England liberals?). After a hard day of work, a hard day in your marriage, and a hard evening with your children, the GOP realized that what Americans wanted was simply a comfort. Bush provided that comfort--and subsequently became the most uncomfortable President ever.

It's not that Americans are stupid; instead, we are desperate for someone to lead us out of our constant scrambling to get ahead. We are desperate for leadership. We are not ignorant, backward citizens; we are thirsty for change. We are sometimes so thirsty, that we drink the sand instead of the filtered water.