What really irks me is that yes, Americans for the most part are NOT informed, why?
Why is it when I go to a Chick-Fil-A, and the high-school aged person at the counter asks me after I told her I flew into Atlanta to visit Alabama, from Kansas City, and she asks me: "Where is Kansas City?" I then replied: "You do not know where Kansas City is?" She replied "No, in fact, I flunked my U.S. geography test yesterday, I have a retest next week...". I rolled my eyes, shook my head and walked off. My wife is an educator. She says it is aweful how kids today do not care to learn...all they want to know is: who won American Idol last night, who is who, what is what, etc. But when it comes to simple geography, history, math, science, etc. they don't care. Heck even the PARENTS don't even care anymore. IF the students even have a parent in the house....one of her students, now this is extreme, was found out later to be homeless along with some other family members.
Yep...some places are better than others...but by and large, a large number of Americans don't even know current events, lack basic education, etc. Don't believe me? Ask around...heck, even watch Jay Leno when he goes around asking folks things. It is embarrassing to say the least. And strategically on economic fronts, will hurt us. How many have gone to the hospital, to find the doc or nurse is not even an American, but from overseas, say India, UK, some other place? It is sad...really sad.