zlacker

> This is what people who "vote their feelings" would assert. Most people think they are "sophisticated" and "educated" on these issues, both Democrats and Republicans. There is ample evidence that this is not the case for either.

~130M American adults have low literacy skills with 54% of people 16-74 below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level. And they vote in some amount. Many may not be functional enough to be self aware about their level of education and sophistication, based on the data.

https://www.apmresearchlab.org/10x-adult-literacy

https://www.barbarabush.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BBFou...

>>toomuc+(OP)
Ok, but how about learn why that is instead of just insulting half the population. In politics, it is best to be liked and quoting such things doesn't help.

Now, why is literacy so low? Because we stopped teaching phonics in schools. When we switch back (in tests/experiments) phonics wins hands down. When we did teach phonics, we had the highest test scores in the world (now we are 17th or so). Who opposes switching back to phonics? Oddly the teacher's unions. Guess who is the biggest contributor to the Dems? Weirdly it makes sense when you frame it this way. Now, ask yourself why you didn't know this?

>>hunter+Wk1
Low literacy is driven by systemic poverty and, more recently, social media consumption.

Insulting facts are still facts, regardless of feelings about the facts. I am not in politics, being liked is irrelevant to me.

https://youtu.be/ZvCT31BOLDM

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/09/whats-driving...

>>hunter+Wk1
> Who opposes switching back to phonics? Oddly the teacher's unions. Guess who is the biggest contributor to the Dems? Weirdly it makes sense when you frame it this way.

I think you phrased that incorrectly, hopefully not intentionally in bad faith. What you mean is that something like 94% of teacher's unions political contributions go to democratic politicians. It is certainly untrue that the biggest contributions to democrats come from teachers, and it is trivial to find that out.

I am also skeptical that phonics is why teachers prefer democrats. It probably has a much stronger association with how villainized educators are by republicans.