AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE... AND FUNCTIONAL ILLITERACY

AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE… AND FUNCTIONAL ILLITERACY

I recently learned something that makes so much sense—21% of American adults are functionally illiterate. That means they read at a fifth-grade level or lower. As in, so low that they basically just avoid reading altogether.

And it gets worse—54% of American adults read at a sixth-grade level or lower. Meaning, over half the country has the reading and writing skills of an 11-year-old.

Now, before you start wondering why your uncle thinks Facebook memes are credible news sources, or why half the country falls for the most obvious scams, or why certain politicians literally brag about not reading briefing documents—just remember: it all makes sense now.

We’re living in a country where most people would struggle to get through a middle school book report. And somehow, we’re surprised that voters keep electing con men who say things like "I have the best words" while staring blankly at a teleprompter?

Honestly, the real miracle isn’t that we have so many bad policies—it’s that anything functions at all.