CNN

Too smart to be a Democrat and too broke to be a Republican.

Funniest thing in this article was Bill Maher "moderator"...Who decided to give him that job? Have you ever heard him speak? I guess he'd be moderate for CNN.

What a bunch of bull.

Dumb and fat...you wish. We have more college institutions than any other country, and fairly long lifespans, with only small percentage differences from those above us...which could be attributed to almost anything. Fewer Americans smoke than the citizens of almost any other country.

This self-hate on our own country is despicable. I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud to be brothers and sisters with my fellow citizens, all of them; whether they went to college or not; whether they are big or small.

It sure seems like the people around my office are brilliant, healthy men and women...

To, Pat SHarp Maine:

"Some of the dummest people I know work very hard. (not on welfare) Their mantra: I work hard and I pay my taxes………………….( as if liberals skip out on paying theirs?) ... ( Does tomatoe soup NEED to be sweet?)

Speedy typing, Dan Quayle moment, simply trying to reinforce Gravel's point?

Which is it?

Dolt: A heavy, stupid fellow; a blockhead; a thickskull; dull in intellect
Imbecile: Feeble in body or mind; fatuous.
Idiot: A human being destitute of reason or the ordinary intellect of man. One hopelessly insane.
Moron: A person whose mental capacity is slightly below normal, by psychological standards.
Retard: To delay.
Fool: A person who acts absurdly, irrationally, or unwisely; a professional jester or buffoon.
Dullard: A stupid person; a dolt; a blockhead; a dunce.
Dunce: a leading schoolman; pupil to stupid to learn.
Ignoramus: An ignorant person; a vain pretender of knowledge
Dunderhead: A stupid-head
Stupid: To be astonished or struck senseless. In a state of stupor; bereft of consciousness, sense, or feeling; devoid of understanding.
Dumb- One who is mute; destitute of the power of speech.

Vernacular- belonging to the speech that is naturally acquired.

I wish people would think he is not a crazy, angry man. There is a method to his madness and of course he is absolutely right the way things are going b/c we let it happen b/c we didn't care enough to vote or care about something when it is too late. Instead we think it is way more important to vote in American Idol *eyeroll*

Senator Gravel is 100% right ( correct!)
Dumb because he right wing think tanks; Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute ec. have poured massive amounts of money into dumbing down the public school system for the past 30 years, in addition to which the neo-cons have infiltrated and altered the Publishing Industry. Neil Bush is making software for the school system, funded by the Cult leader Rev, Sun MOON remember that guy who married hundereds of strangers in Times Square I think, ( I still have the Life Magazine cover of that giant wedding,.)
and one of the Russians in exile in London.
If everyone would boycot ALL the major food companies that add high fructose corn syrup into EVERYTHING they make. ( Does tomatoe soup NEED to be sweet?) they might be a little slimmer.I go grocery shopping across the boarder into Cananda sometimes, just to buy canned soup WITHOUT IT! They have a bakery "to die from" much beter tasting breads than in my state, and the Canandian shoppers are SLIM! in spite of the tempting breads............
Some of the dummest people I know work very hard ( not on welfare) Their mantra: I work hard and I pay my taxes......................( as if liberals skip out on paying theirs?)
ANd here is the ABSOLUTE DUMMEST OF ALL TIMES.
ABC Extreme House Makeover is happening down my road his week! It's a joke! ABC is Tom Sawyer on steroids! The chosen family is clearly NOT the neediest in town. But the show has whipped up a mythical frenzy of "generous giving Murikans," to get about 300 people to VOLUNTEER their time to build this house in one week! The building materials the food for all those volunteers, and the preparation of, another gift!
ANd if that weren't bad enough! They haven't even made the design of it passive solar, in this cold north country! At my house this morning.........the sun didn't shine inthe back of the house at all! ( it has slipped far enough south in the sky ) And will not do so until April 2008!. It now hits the southwest CORNER of the house, and bounces off, and at 3:00 pm or so will shine in the west windows for 2 hours.......It's time to reve up the OIL FURNACE! Sept 14th.
Like the house they just demolished for the new construction... mine is 110 years old, neatly set parallel to the road, not the sun's path. If I could JUST pick it up and turn it 20o it would be a big improvement.
DId they do that for the MAkeover? NO, it is on the same parallel as mine! Wouldn't it have been nice for this family if 2 teachers with 4 kids, some with medical problems, to have been given a break by Mother Nature, and not have to buy so much oil?
WOuldn't it be nice if ABC DISNEY, would use some of it's vast resources to TEACH these things in their programing?

I find it ironic that so many on here post laudatory comments about Mr. Gravel, but turn right around and say they won't vote for him.

People are hailing his honesty and how refreshing it is to finally see a politician speak the truth, but turn around and say they won't vote for him.

He is a 100% correct, "tell it like it is, Mike", but, sorry bub, I'm not gonna vote for you.

Why? Why will you not vote for him? Because he isn't leading in the polls and you want to vote for the "winner"?

If you say, because his stance on gay marriage is too liberal for me, or his wanting to redistribute wealth, those are acceptable answers. If you say because he has no chance, you belong to one of the two attributes he previously described, take your pick on which one it is.

Learn the issues, vote your conscience!

Regards,

First of all...

It's about time you all did an article (even if it is small) on Gravel. The man is a genius and would make a great President. I'd like to see more about him in the news PLEASE. Fair and equal reporting.

Secondly...

You totally set him up on this...

'Maher told Gravel that obesity rates are up and reading levels are down and added that the "definition of a friend is someone who tells you the truth." '

So Gravel does absolutely nothing but rephrase what Maher said, and CNN writes it up as though Gravel woke up this morning, eager to insult us all.

Thirdly...

Gravel is 100% correct. Educate yourself on Mike Gravel everybody. This man knows what he's talking about.

I agree 110% with him!

I agree 100 percent with him, but the problem is that he will get blasted for saying this even though its the truth. Thats the problem, everyone says we want an honest politician but when one speaks the truth he gets his political head kicked in.

Oh there are so many differnt ways to interprate his saying. Yup people are getting fatter and dumber and so are the corporations and politicians. Multinational corporations are getting fatter and our politicians are getting dumber and we the "fat stupid" Americans are the ones to blame for voting these dumb politicians in.

Instead of insulting the American people why doesn't this guy do something about it!!!! You can't make a policy to make people skinny but fix the damn school systems instead of calling us dumb!

Could not agree more after 8 years of peace and economic growth we put G W Bush in place. So long growth, surplus, and the rest speaks for it self. Not only did we allow him 4 years, but then we turned right around and gave him 4 more.

Mike Gravel; Please go finish your twelve step program for anger management and leave the all fatter and dumber people of Americana with deciding who serves the US.

Unfortunately, the "dumber" part is actually a piece of the master plan (the "fatter" part is just an unfortunate side-effect of our corporate-guided, convenience-driven economy). American public school systems have been intentionally and forcibly deteriorated over the last quarter-century because the ability of critical thought makes you a poor consumer. Once you're no longer learning to think for yourself, you need someone to do the thinking for you, and they happily step in. Who are "they", you might ask?

Religion and capitalism – each a good enough idea in and of itself, but unfortunately, each has been perverted to evil ends. Religion is now how they train you to think what they want you to think, and do what you're told to do. It's not about "faith", it's about "blind acceptance" – since you never learned to think for yourself, hey, someone's gotta tell you what to think, right? Hey, I love God, but I'm skeptical of anyone who thinks they can get rich just talking about Him. But even they who have perverted religion to their own ends are only tools of the real beast. The corporatocracy has plenty of goods to sell, it just needs to convince you that you need them. Thank God you've already been shaped into a good susceptible drone! Do what you're told now, give all your money to them, you're too stupid to know what to do with it anyway, remember? Besides, without debt, how would you whine about how poor you are? They're doing you a favor – they're giving you something to talk about in your hair salons and nail places. You should be thankful.
Can't handle the truth? THINK FOR YOURSELF!! Your money is yours, not theirs. Your mind is yours, not theirs. They steal both every single day. DO something about it.

The man's right. You don't have to be a genius to see the truth, but you have to be stupid not to do anything about it.

This guy just proved his ignorance with his comment about teachers. Politicians work MUCH less per year than teachers, and have better benefits and make significantly more. They spend more time making appearances and fund-raising than actually working. A teacher's job is one of the most difficult and stressful careers and I'm tired of clueless politicians pontificating about educators not doing enough. If you want year round school, then fund it instead of a made up war.

I am horrified beyond words that people think HONESTY is a negative trait in a politician! Isn't it time for a friend who tells you the truth, rather than stabbing you in the back and laughing at you?
I for one am very proud to be backing Gravel!

Well, Veronica, not only do most Americans prefer there news in 30 second sound-bites, but most news is watered down to just "human interest" and features. This is due to things like, well, for lack of a better example, CNN and other twenty-four hour "news" networks.

Steve from Denver:

Thanks. I am not going to repeat what you said so well.

I have lived among you for some years now, always "for a while" waiting to be recalled. I espouse your culture, and your freedoms. I am also happy with my 170 lbs 6 feet body. I have had it for a few decades now.

I don't cook, and yes...I exercise ligthtly. The last time I entered a restaurant that the commenters above seem to despise most it was to use the washroom. So, what do I eat? Everything that has no fat–mixed vegetable crunches without the quintessential dip, unsalted corn chips, yougurt and kafir, eggs which we boil, an occasional adequate portion of AAA grade meat, fresh fruits of all sorts, fresh not cured cheeses, roasted mixed vegetables,...and the list goes on ferever. The cost: about $18.00/day between myself and my daughter. Is it a difficult eating habit to maintain? How could it possible be, with such great variety of foods! How long does it take to prepare it? Not one single moment because everything we buy is pre-cut, pre-washed, and pre-packaged, often in front of me according to my instructions, at the fresh vegetables and cheeses islands while I wait.

Steve, Denver CO:

Yes we live in a country where we have the freedom to be fat and dumb but how far does that freedom go? With the numerous health problems associated with obesity I should have a say in our overall health. After all I should not have to pay higher health premiums because of the lousy eating habits of others! I also shouldn't have to pay more in property taxes to arm police officers to keep my neighborhood safe from all the crime due to dumb Americans who cant hold jobs. Yes you have the freedom and right to be fat and dumb but like all other rights, it only goes so far.
I also love how everyone points the finger at the FDA for allowing preservatives etc.. whatever happened to proper exercise and diet? Home cooked meals and not fast food or preprocessed foods? The food companies will push what they want to sell. Its up to YOU to practice self control and discipline and not buy it.

Wow, though I don't care for Gravel, at least I can appreciate his honesty. It is all by design that there is a dumbing down of the school system as well as false teachings.

Right and wrong are not "a matter of perspective." Like it or not, there are absolutes in civil society. One of the absolutes I value dearly is that man has free will. While people have a choice in what they do–if they choose to do something wrong, there are consequences. If people choose to over-eat, then they must accept responsibility for being overweight. If someone decides to believe that an activity that is illegal, then that does not negate the fact that what they do is "wrong." Ask most criminals: they'll tell you that they didn't think what they were doing was wrong.

Unfortunately, he's too logical and makes too much sense to ever be considered for president.

Right and Wrong are a matter of perspective. However his comments do have the potential to be more constructive than destructive.

the "definition of a friend is someone who tells you what their thinking without fearing of your reaction".

If you love and care for someone or something, you have to be harsh to improve that person. He could of picked better words, but the overall message is there.

Yes, we can and should tell our friends and family the truth, even if it hurts. They will never grow and prosper if we allow them to wallow in their own self worth.

The bible clearly states that we are to discipline our friends and family to better them down the road. One of the reasons we are all "fatter and dumber" is such as this. If we become so PC and self centered, we'll all be vain and destroy ourselves. Which we are already doing.

Nancy in KY, Steve in CO, and all you other anti-truth people:

Quit playing the blame game and making excuses for why America is fat and stupid. WAKE UP. If you indulge in such things as McDonalds and T.V. instead of a book, then that is YOUR CHOICE as an American. It's no one's fault but your own. America makes it easy to commit murder, but are you partaking in that? No. Because you CHOSE not to. Both have repercussions, yet you choose to ignore the ones for being fat and stupid. If the whole basis of your argument is shifting blame, then you really are stupid.

Why don't you read some legislation while you're at it. Members of Congress have been trying to pass legislation to address these problems for years now, but it's getting shoved on the back-burner because of I-R-A-Q. You should thank Mike Gravel for bringing it back into the spotlight so that it can get the attention it deserves.

To those who think this man has said something wonderful or great, contemplate this: Do you really want a politician who thinks himself better than the citizens he represents?Do you really respect a man who openly insults the people he wants to serve?

Maybe America needs to hear this. We have lost our competative edge, we have thrown the Bill of Rights to the dogs.

We are acting more and more like the former Soviet Union (i.e. secret prisons, holding people without due process, etc etc)

We are the fattest nation on earth. Rome fell... Look whats happening to us. We need to get it together

From the looks of him and the comments that he makes I say that he is ALL AMERICAN

I couldn't agree more. American's are fatter and dumber. Something needs to be done to improve the education system and we know "No Child Left Behind" isn't cutting it!!! I'm looking for the presidental hopeful who can actually present a plan. A plan for Education, Iraq, Healthcare, etc. I didn't vote in the last election because I was appalled by both candidates. Can't we just get one good Democrat and Republican to run?

His comment brings to mind a quote by the great H.L. Mencken
The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos.

Gravel is 100% right. He is a no-nonsense candidate. While I haven't decided yet who I'm voting for, he is in the top tier. Our country is in dyer need of a wake-up call, and Gravel is the guy to do it. Forget the rhetoric of such front-runners as Obama and Clinton–they want to stay at the top in the polls so they'll say anything. Gravel has nothing to lose. If either he or Biden are elected, either would truly do a phenomenal job–especially in restoring faith, dignity, and integrity back in the U.S. Government.

Anyone who's offended are obviously afraid of the truth/prefer to live out the "ignorance is bliss" saying. We see that the obesity is increasing and literacy is decreasing, yet we deny there's a problem. Worse, we don't do anything about it. Thank you Gravel for being honest with the American people, and telling us like it is–it's a welcomed change. TELL US MORE!

Mike Gravel is right . The level of education is going down and what used to be considered overweight is now regular size.....this man should be heard more on Tv and radio. TRUE this country is going down the drain.... wake up

Hey!!!

Leave my mother-in-law out of this.
She doesn't even vote!

Why when this stuff is posted that so many people make this a political game; that the reason people are fat and dumb is the Republicans fault!?! People, take responsibility for your own lives! It's not your elected official's problem. We have choices to make and tons of freedoms and privileges in this country to help us be smarter and fitter. We're just not using them. Go to the library and take a walk!

How do you argue the truth of those words. I hate to admit it, but the man is right!

Someone said he should not insult friends by calling them "fat and dumb." It's not an insult, it's the only way to get the point across. "Obese, corpulent, illiterate, unlettered" nicer words but probably over the head of most Americans, including the President they elected.

Seems to me, modern American is what happens when nature doesn't cull the weak, mentally inept and fat out of society. But then again, that's a little harsh. Personally I'd rather just complain about fat and dumb people. The children I hope I'll never have will have to deal with the whirlwind in 50 years, not me. =)

He is absolutely correct. Americans are not only dumb, but a very high percentage of Americans are illiterate and politicians are keenly aware of this. That's why politicans take advantage of this segment of the populace because they are naive, gullible and can't think for themselves.

What we really need to do is vote these bums out office and have a fresh start. But I'm afraid that will not happen because a significant number of Americans are too stupid to separate facts from fiction.

I absolutely agree! I have a business that deals with a broad section of ages, races, genders, education and economic backgrounds everyday. It is disturbing how "fat and dumb" we are truly becoming. Most of all it is really sad to see the condition that children are in. Gravel nails this one on the head.

Who? Like this guy was ever a serious candidate to begin with...the only people who are fat and dumb are those who watching Bill Maher's garbage program and the 5 people who contributed to this guys bogus campaign. The problem with this country isn't it's citizenry. It's the pretentious hacks like Maher who think they're better than everyone else.

I don't care if he gets elected. He said it. IT IS NOT A LIE! That's awesome!

Well, nearly every one of the comments on this page kind of makes Mr. Gravel's point. Spelling errors, poor grammar, childish finger pointing...the list continues.
I, however, am insulted by these comments, and am of the opinion that anyone who is seriously considering holding the highest office in the country, should take a moment to consider his answer to a question like that before he summarily dismisses the intellectual capabilities of the nation he "serves". These fat, dumb Americans voted for YOU, sir, and aren't likely to do it again if you continue to verbally abuse them.
In addition, I think its somewhat amusing that CNN.com's readers somehow turn these comments into yet another opportunity to bash not only the current president, but the country that affords them the freedom to be fat and stupid.
Wake up America, you've all been insulted by someone who represents "the people's party", and instead of defending yourselves, you roll over like a bunch of cowards!

The comments sound rude but true. Let's contemplate ... we need to change ourselves and love ourselves more by avoiding unhealthy lifestyle. To much indulgence and conspicuous consumption. Lazy eating habits with all of those out of proportion serving size of fries and other fatty food will just kill the Americans and make us sluggish. This is a suicidal act and our society should take positive actions to mitigate this negative trend. Surely, we don't want the slender stylish French people look like the Swans and we look like ... upps! Get up and jog ....

If the government did their job by keeping food manufacturers from putting additives in the food we eat, obesity rates would not be rising in America. Gravel stated "Just remember who put these people in power." I know I did not vote for Bush. The Americans that did vote for Bush got the people they wanted and they are to blame for Bush being in power. As for voting for someone that says Americans are getting dumber, I know I am not going to vote for Mike Gravel for President. He can sit there and say that Americans are fatter and dumber, but what is he or any other politician doing about it? Nothing! In addition, Bush should not be forcing Democracy on Iraq when with Democracy America got the bad end of the stick on the last presidental election.

For all you uninformed "Dumb" people who claim to know nothing about him as a reason to not vote for him. Or for those who claim he criticizes without solutions. why dont you check out his site http://www.gravel2008.us and educate yourselves. He has good views, good plans and can lead us out of the gutter of corruption and campaign finance reforms.
For the person who wonder why he always looks and sounds mad. Its because he is frustrated at the AMERICAN people for falling for the lies every four years. He is passionate about changing what the political culture has become. Add to the fact that he doesnt get much time to answer questions he would rather get a sound bite in then nothing at all. WAKE UP AMERICA. DO YOU HONESTLY THINK OBAMA or CLINTON is the ANSWER!!!!???? Look at all the money they raised. That means they are already committed to lobbyists and special intrests. Which means nothing will change. Or if it does it will be in their interests NOT YOURS!

Well, some Americans elected this guy to office, so I guess that proves the "dumber" part of his comment.

I hear ya, Mikey! It's unfortunate, however, that a majority of American's are fatties, which now means you cannot get the nomination. And, some of those fatties count as two or three people–so that's quite a few votes you're missing out on.

I'd vote for you IF you were the only honest candidate in the race, which would usually be the case. Fortunately, Ron Paul is also running, and thus we are blessed with two great choices (instead of the usual none). If not for Ron, you'd have my vote.

Gravel is essentially saying I'm thinner and smarter than the average American; therefore, I should be trusted because I know better.

Its true, Americans like to eat flavored garbage, avoid physical work, and would rather watch TV and talk on the cell phone than read. I think its also true that Gravel is probably a narcissist.

He is completely correct. Unfortunately, what Americans want in a friend is not someone who will tell them the truth, they want someone who will tell them what they want to hear in a way that leaves them in the dark as to all the lies. Gravel is being blunt, and that is exactly what America needs. You do some digging around Social websites like Myspace, etc, and you see comments next to "Favorite Books:" like: "Books are boring", "Why read when there is TV?", "No time to read, to many shows to watch" and many more just like that. It is really sad how pathetic we have become as a nation. I am a republican, but I agree completely with Gravel here because he is right. We are getting fatter and dumber and the ONLY way we are going to get out of that is to recognize it and admit it to ourselves and then begin the long, hard road back to where we should be.

When will Americans grow up and stop making excuses to rationalize their poor choices? We are a fast-food society, not just in the foods we eat but what we feed our minds. Continue voting for the same career politicians who make empty promises and continue to waste your tax money on ineffective policies. You only have yourselves to blame as the country further declines. WE ARE NOT THE #1 NATION ON THE EARTH. Telling yourselves this over and over does not make it true – it only perpetuates the "feel good" mentality of this nation. WAKE UP AMERICA.

We are not fatter. We are not dumber. Our politicians treat us like we are dumber. Our politicians want us fatter because then it will be harder to throw the bums out. I have been listening to these fat cat politicians for thirty years and we have been getting fatter and dumber to them, all of this time. If it was true, then Sumo wrestling would be Americans number one past time. In fact, most Sumo's types would be migrating to America so they would look thin.
You know, its time we fire all of the bums.

Everyone knows he is speaking the truth except those who are too dumb to get it. Sadly, most people are too wrapped up in their myopic little lives; they just want the adults to be in charge so they can play at life. Trouble is, there are no adults in charge, here or anywhere else...

So is it any surprise we have a government that takes advantage of and hurts its own people? Gore said it in one of the debates with W "If you want corporations in control of your lives there's your man" and that's who took the presidency, twice. Clearly, there are more oblivious idiots in America than smart people.

I love that movie Idiocracy. Unfortunately, that is what our country is actually becoming.

The movie, supposed to be a comedy, is prescient. If you haven't seen it, rent it or watch it.

It'll shock you, because you'll see our current culture in it.

Beautiful! Unfortunatley, we have become so stultified as a society we will run him out because his words are true and hit like a blunt instrument.

Actually, Connie, I could not agree with your more. Though in my case, as well as many others hopefully, I would never give up any sort of liberty just for a little added security.

Indeed.... I'll have another Twinkie and get back to my Playstation now!

When a person says the American public is dumber than dirt and the people respond, as in this column, "yeah, yeah," do you think they recognize themselves? Fat chance.

The truth is what it is. Frankly, in the age of Britney Spears, we are ill prepared for the truth. Did I mention my kids are skinny and smart?

While I agree with former Senator Gravel's comments and appreciate (for once) honesty in a candidate, he certainly didn't come up with the notion of people getting the government they deserve. President Truman said the following in 1952:

"Now, if you want to continue the country in its present greatly prosperous condition, vote for your own interests in November. You know, you the people are the Government. You have the say as to who shall be in power in all the offices which run the Government, from the city, the county, the State, and the Nation. And when you don't exercise your franchise you have got nobody to blame but yourselves when you get bad government. And you get just what you deserve."

dang... you gotta' admit gravel's right on the mark with what he said. BLunt, yes; but most definitely correct, and direct. He was asked to be honest, to the study and gave out a flat-out factual response. He continues to interest me.. he has no chance as a candidate, but he makes for an interesting, sincere (for real), practical, politician..

Right On!!! It's about time someone let people here know they are lazy. This Dem might actually be worth voting for.

He's certainly right people are fatter and dumber in the US. Britney Spears and McDonalds are more important than history and health.

I like this guy!

Everyone who's already commented is correct. The man speaks the plain truth, but unfortunately, as we've seen, speaking the truth is not what gets you elected...and certainly not votes. I mean, why would you vote for someone who insults you (by telling you the truth)?

I am glad someone is speaking truthfully for once. I am disgusted by fat people, and by the general increase in ignorance seen in this country. Not only is the divide between rich and poor increasing, but the divide between educated and uneducated as well.

I DISAGREE
I see more Americans just plain tired of hearing the political antics. Every time I hear comments of this nature I believe it to be an exploit to draw attention to the political party and promote ones self interest. When a president is elected, align your interests, shut your mouth, and promote the will of the people who elected him. That goes for everyone.

What a joke. Americans are not getting dumber-politicians we vote into office make us look dumb because they don't do what they promised during their campaigning. They get into office and "go with the flow" of a completely dysfunctional system that they are too gutless and lazy to do anything to change it.

How does someone "get" dumber? Must be a democrat ability. You do not "get" dumber. You can be educated to a lesser extent than someone else but someone doesn't just "get" dumber. They were that way to begin with. And I can see where Americans are getting fatter. When it takes two incomes per family to make ends meet each month (thanks to unregulated rise in costs of products that could be in abundance), and BOTH parties are tired from working all day, yeah....fast food will win in the effort to still have time to spend with the family. So all in all, the government (or lack thereof) has made us a nation of uneducated, hand-out junkies. Those that have the educated sense to see this though are the ones responsible for the cleanup. Where did individual responsibility go? I'm tired of working my tail off for some able bodied people to sit at home, popping out 3-8 kids and collect welfare, medicaid and foodstamps.

Damn straight. We have become a nation of morons, reflected primary in our choice of president (a man who can't form a coherent sentence on the fly), and by the fact there are still 30% in this country who thinks that waste of human breath has been anything but a train wreck and a complete disaster for this country.

Did we REALLY put them there?

I can't agree more... self-absorbed, lazy, always wanting immediate gratification. America is decaying.

I know I'm certainly fatter & dumber.

Bravo! Americans love to be flattered, such as for helping that poor burned Iraqi boy while forgetting the war they approved of created the situation in the first place. Yet a third of us CHOOSE to ignore facts long known and continue to believe that Saddam Hussein had a hand in 9-11, just as Bush and Cheney SO persistently (and falsely!) hammered into a public who knows EVERY detail about 'American Idol' etc. The 52 million morons who voted the THE moron back for a second term owe the rest of us and the world a heartfelt apology.

He might not have a chance but he's right. And anyone who says "that's insulting" or "he hurt my feelings" needs to toughen up. When did we become such an emotionally tender nation?

This is not "rocket science". All you have to do is take a walk through your local WAL MART. Wide ends galore. And dumb? Well look who is president, twice. Lord have mercy on out poor country.

Thank-you a politician that actually knows how to tell the truth. Unfortunately, most people get offended when they hear the truth. To Sen. Gravel I say congratulations; you have set a historical precedent.

He should watch the movie Idiocracy.

Gravel is right. Too many Americans have become both physically and intellectually lazy. They have taken too much of what they are told by the marketing industry, partisan political hacks and pundits, and ostensibly objective and independent critics that are actually heavily invested in the viewpoint they are promoting to substitute for their own critical analysis of the facts. Their success has been duly noted by our Nation's current administration who has used the knowledge to control and influence public opinion. How else does one explain how voter's would tend to vote against their own self-interests? Had American voters relied on facts, qualifications, and background, not sound-bites and personality, our current President would have been home in Crawford cutting brush full-time. And rather than being bogged down in an unprovoked war in Iraq with straw dogs that we unleashed, the Country would be addressing the issues that still exist.

couldn't agree more....

That's why we won't put him in power.

Those are some harsh words from Gravel. But in some ways yeah he's right. But that's how the republican party wants us i mean look who we elected in '04. A texan who can barely make a statement. I'm a college student and say with some certainty that not all americans are dumb.

Now I understand how the Democrats took over congress.

I can't argue with him.

Honesty is the best policy? They should make it law!
This guy rules – make a clone and post him to Ireland.

Good Luck winning. You're going to need it.

Glad to hear a politician finally say it. We have one of the dumbest one's running the White House right now with his supporting cast of morons!

Here we have an example of the pot calling the kettle black. In his sentence: "And so if things are going bad, just remember who put these people in power." The word bad is an adverb (describes the verb 'are going'), which in the American language requires an "ly" ending.

Didnt Bill Clinton LOVE McDonalds???
Who's Dumb??

Fatter and dumber? Just keep watching CNN News.. They will make you alot fatter and much dumber...Just the way they want you.

Do this meen I have to go to skool an stop eatin' donutz?

Just from this short article...Gravel gets my vote!

I do agree with his first statement, that we are getting fatter and dumber due to the quality of education in public schools and as parents you do need to be diligent and go the extra mile with your kids and their education. However, I do not like his comment about how we deserve this government since we are the ones that put them there.I could go on and on with many different reasons about why I do not like this statement but to put it quite simply often times a politician will vote the way they want to no matter what despite knowing what their constituents from their area wants.

Mein Gott, an honest man? We haven't had one in the political arena since Abe!He could never be elected President in plastic America. C'est dommage!

Oh my god. I have pretty much stayed out of political discussions for one main reason. And this guy hit that right on!!!

America IS becoming fat and dumb. And worse by the second. Roughly compared to cattle, eat your food and follow those who seem big and powerful and talk a lot.

Here's an article for those of you who wish to object. In 2000, people elected a president who lost the popular vote but got the electorial vote. Why? Because the margin was so slim. This means 50% of this nation's voters voted for an idiot KNOWING what he was gonna do! Here's another article. HE WON AGAIN! And by a larger majority. Meaning that the MAJORITY of american voters voted for the same dude AGAIN AFTER he pulled this war out. There's your first piece of evidence of American stupidity.

Let's go over some other dumb things. Unions all over America pushing for higher wages and lower costing health insurance. Hmmmmm I wonder why American jobs are going overseas?????

I guess if our society wasn't so focused on luxury vehicles, 500-700 video game systems, and fancy cell phones that check your email then maybe just maybe the unions (whose leaders are paid by the members every check) wont have to push this crap.

Now how about more evidence? Gas prices. Everyone complains of gas prices. Too high? TAKE THE BUS!!! WALK!!! STOP THE MIDNIGHT DRIVE TO MC DONALDS!!! I pay 65 bucks a full tank of gas, and I dont complain. Here's a lesson for you: Supply and Demand, the less you use, the less you buy, the less the price will be.

Here's something else for you. Forbes list of largest companies in the world.
Citigroup is #1.
Wal-Mart is #17.
McDonald's is #200.
So basically American's spend quite a bit of money borrowig the hell out of their credit, buying dumb stuff, and stuffing their faces. How can FAST FOOD even be on this list if not for the land of the free?

I tell ya this guy probably said the best thing over american air possible. I'd vote for him but it would be pointless. You see what good will my vote do if others vote with stupidity. Vote for someone who will do something. But I say this even more. Stop thinking other people will fix your problems. Figure it out yourself!!

Thomas Jefferson once said, "The purpose of government should only be to keep people from killing each other." Heh, yea thats why we have more laws than any other nation in the world. Wake up people!!!

If your offended, put down the twinkie, get educated the right way and fix this!!!

>What do you want, government-funded liposuction every five years?

Well, he IS a Democrat, right????

He's right about fatter, but that has nothing to do with education, about which he is an idiot.

The reading rate has been static for the past 15 years or so. Pathetically low, but static. The kids in our schools have VERY high reading levels on an international level (please check out the TIMSS report on literacy at 4th and 8th grade), but they dislike reading more than just about any other country int he study and are less likely to do it in their spare time. Our relatively low rates of *adult* literacy, therefore, are not a function of poor initial instruction in the classroom but a result of the fact that our manner of instruction, while successful in getting kids while in school to make big gains, makes kids hate reading. It's largely due to the fact that Americans avoid reading outside of school that makes that apparently excellent instruction far worse than mediocre instruction in the real world.

In addition, claims about declining literacy rates are nonsensical. As literacy rises, it is being redefined in stricter and stricter terms. Once, "literacy" was reading one's name. Now, it's often reading at the 6th grade level.

Year-round education isn't a help, either. The problem in mathematics, particular, won't be helped if you spent three times as many hours in the classroom. The methodology is flawed. Ditto for science. We're actually doing quite well with literacy, overall–we just need to figure out a way to keep kids from HATING reading when we're through!

The only thing I have to disagree with Gravel on is the statement about "remember who put these people in power". The average American might not be able to read at a higher level as in the past, but they still can read between the lines. Our government is no longer a government for the people by the people. It is more like a government for big business by big business. Our country really needs to clean house and get rid of all the lawyers and professional politicians currently in office. This country was built on the common man, yet the people in power are so far from the common man.

FINALLY someone who is not afraid to speak the truth about the american public and it's pestilence.

Gravel said something that many people think but are afraid to say .There is absolutely no doubt that America is FAT FAT FAT. Look around you. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that the number of obese people has skyrocketed. The dumb comment Im not so sure about. Teenagers and young adults who are not educated well always seem dumb to me. A certain number of older adults have always seemed dumb to me, not just lately.

Don't worry folks, Mike Gravel will not be in the running come spring.

Now this guy knows whats going on.

Its the truth America. We're going to sit here asleep at the wheel while we lose our way of life.

heehee– someone did a study proving that if gas goes to $5.00 / gal. the obesity rate will go down by 50 % . Personally I don't see fat people ever being motivated to walk or bike more, but the author of the study swears by it.

You Go Mike!
As I am not, personally either fat or dumb, I'm not in the least offended by this comment...just sorry that I missed seeing the whole forum! I (almost) completely agree with the senator...except for the fact that things are a bit more complex than his statement would imply. Yes, we do, technically, "put these people in power". However the system we are given to work with is responsible for at least some of the problems in Washington. Until (if ever) the candidate with the most $$$$ is not the one who becomes the nominee, we only have certain people to vote for in the first place. And finally Senator, since it appears that my tax dollars will be paying for all the "pork"-(you know, like your bridge?) you've added to legislations, how about giving us some "honest" conversation on that particular subject? Whadda-ya-say, Mike? Oh, and with all due respect, this "dumb" American would say, "going bad-LY, not "going bad".

It's all that Alaskan "pork" that we've been fed a steady diet of.We sure are dumb if we let them spend millions of dollars for a bridge to an island of 600 people and to build a highway in Florida!

Sadly, this sort of honesty and straight-forwardness can only come from an individual who has no chance of being elected. Whoever is elected, it will be, much to our detriment, a polished, practiced sophist.

To Bruce from Palo Alto – I thought scientists were supposed to make rational rather than emotional decisions. I guess no bonus for you this year. What's your third career choice?
To Manuel Hung from Lubbock, thanks I might steal that pseudonym for Fox.

Wow. What a non-issue. The guy responds in the only honest way possible and he makes the front of the CNN web page with a misleading headline.

What a shame. Mr. Gravel dishes out some honest, "tough love" commentary and it is purposefully misconstrued and made headline news because Britney or Paris didn't do anything stupid today that required all of CNN's resources to cover.

Shame on you, CNN.

Hey, the truth hurts. His assesment is correct.

We do get the govt. we deserve. If you like being lied to ripped-off and treated like children or fools keep voting for Republicans and Democrats.

Both parties have sold us (especially our children)down the river.

Shame on us for having such low standards.

The guy's 100% right by the way. We need a new movement in this country that is neither Democrat nor Republican. The politicians have become corrupted by power and greed. Our educational system has rendered our kids into mindless robots. America needs to wake up. Fat, indolent, questioning nothing, accepting everything that makes the masses FEEL GOOD. Log on to unity08.com. There just may be some hope yet for this country. Fire everyone in Washington and let's start over before our children & grandkids find themselves paying homage and being subservient to those who wish to conquer us. Read history.

America's getting dumber and fatter; what right have we to proclaim ourselves to be the greatest nation in the world?

Truth is refreshing. Thank you, senator. You won't become president but you will leave behind a legacy worthy of emulation.

Ha! So true! I'm glad someone's finally got the guts to say it!

Horray for Gavel, a breath of fresh air, to tell us Americans the truth, however uncomfortable it may feel: the future of our country is at risk if we don't swallow our pride and admit that we need to slim down and smarten up! We can not ride on the achievements of our forefathers forever.

Gravel proves his own point by using the word "dumber" which is not a word. He should try opening a dictionary before he speaks! Maybe his comment is more appropriate for every American politician, regardless of the party. I at least agree with his point about who put the people in power.

Sadly his statement is true. As Americans we have been coerced into seeking convenience. This relates to American eating habits as well the lack of desire to strive for greater intellectual ability. Instead of cooking dinner we go to the almighty golden arches. and instead of reading the book we watch the movie. By simplifying our lives we are simplifying ourselves. Hopefully as a society we can come to this realization and make the changes necessary to curb this trend. Today we have growing competition from the east and instead of working to better ourselves we are complacent and therefore lazy. when the power tables turn we will be in an unfortunate position unless we start making changes soon.

He's right. I've been a registered nurse throughout the US for the last 16yrs and I can confirm that American's are getting fatter/dumber and I might add sicker for a variety of reasons. Not only because we are aging, but because we lack adequate preventative medicine or access to good medical care. Our schools are lacking funds/appropriate teacher-student ratios. Overall, we are a big, fat, stupid mess and we continue to vote for those who keep us big, fat and stupid. We are in a medical and educational crisis. God help us!!

A few things: Yes, we are fatter and dumber. We are fat, happy, and oblivious, which is unlikely to change until a disaster worse than 9/11 finally wakes us up.

And to people who think the President DIDN'T know something we didn't... You need a reality check. Not even 50 years AFTER an event when loads of declassified documents are released do we, the common people, know as much as the President did then. THAT SAID, this certainly doesn't mean the extra information justified the war. Not knowing the nature of the information makes that an illegitimate assertion.

If it weren't such a serious problem, I'd laugh at people who think they are qualified to make international policy decisions based on the limited, filtered information they get from CNN or the internet.

The only justifiable position we, as common people, can take is one of skeptical questioning. We don't have the most important information guys, but we can think, ask questions, and be frustrated by the fact that top-secret, sensitive information will likely never come down to us in a timely manner.

Get over it. Or run for office.

Good article! I completely agree with Mike Gravel: a society deserves government its elected. Especially wonderful was a passage about "fatter and dumber"! This is pure truth, just look around: see and listen.

I'm smart enough not to vote for this guy!

Eh, maybe his statement has some truth to it, but I'm sure American voters are going to think that it's not "politically correct" enough to make him a good candidate. That's fine, though, since Fred Thompson is going to win the 2008 election.

Mike Gravel has a solid grip on irony. Fatter and dumber. Just what we need is a double-chinned, white-haired, past his mental prime former senator stating the obvious. We do get what we deserve.

Gravel calls it as it is. I have never seen a candidate so blunt and not afraid to cause controversy.

I agree that we get the government we deserve, also in his comment that the definition of a friend is someone who tells you the truth.

Supersize Me was the first movie/documentary to shed light on how poorly most people eat, especially in public schools.

Gravel knows that the average America is too busy wolfing down deep-fried cheese balls, polishing his Jet-Ski and watching American Idol to concern themselves with piddling things like democracy and our future.

You get what you pay for. If we don't invest in education and we let the TV "babysit" our kids then what other result should we expect?
As a country we spend more time watching celebrities than we do raising our kids.
It's easy to blame the media or the internet, but no one is forcing you to watch YOUTUBE or high speed car chases all night.
The alternatives are out there: PBS, Libraries, bookstores, symphonies, museums, national parks, cultural festivals, farmers' markets, etc. Ah, but aren't these also the first things that get cut in a budget squeeze?
It's been pretty scary for a while, people are just starting to notice it.
Our president (which I DID NOT VOTE FOR) is NOT smarter than a fifth-grader and they aren't as smart as they used to be.

Poor Mike. He and Ron Paul are the only candidates with any integrity. I love honesty. Too bad the American people do not. Nobody wants to hear the truth. For the truth is more often than not an ugly, offensive thing.

It's about time that someone is willing to speak honestly to the American public about itself. It is unwise and unproductive to fail to address these important issues. Health of body and mind should be something that the body politic makes a priority. Reading John Milton's Of Education (written in 1644) would be instructive in this matter.

I totally agree with you but you can't say that in this day and age. I say that every day before I open my store. Walmart and the internet/gaming systems have made us stupid and lame in life. I hope you make it through the primaries!

If the neoCon republicans hadn't been in control of the White House and Congress so long, we wouldn't have these problems.

It is the neoCon republican spend, spend, spend, and bigger and bigger bureaucracy that is ruining the country.

The republicans no child left behind and catsup vegetables that has made us dumb and fat.

All of the svelte geniuses that are posting here should take a step back and quit throwing stones at people of the opposite party. Neither party is exempt from blame in the dumbing down and fattening up of America.

Due to the prosperity we have enjoyed (due primarily to the hard work of previous generations), we have become lazy and made to feel entitled. Until we quit expecting government to provide evrything for us, we will continue down this road and like the Roman empire, we will become but a footnote in history unless we can regain our original identity as a nation.

We are so far from what the founding fathers envisioned. When we "celebrate" holidays like the 4th of July or Veterans Day or Labor Day or Memorial Day or Presidents Day or MLK's Birthday, how many Americans stop and truly reflect on the tangible sacrifices made for us by others. Most see it as nothing more than an extra day off from work and couldn't even tell you what we're celebrating.

Over the past 50 years I have seen a real decline in the fabric of our nation. Parents who don't know how (or care) to raise their kids are primarily to blame, but "progressive" legislation that strives to make everything we do politically correct is also a big part of the problem.

I fear for the future of our nation and the anger and finger pointing of all you political party lemmings is the most telling sign of why things are the way they are. No one has the courage to look in the mirror and take accountability for the mess. It's always someone else's fault. Man up. We're all partially to blame.

Quit being mindless party zealots. you're ruining it for all of us who care more about competency than party affiliation.

1) I find it interesting that no one here, Democrat and Republican alike, assumes THEY are in the "dumb" majority. Of course, there was a study done that showed that most below average people firmly BELIEVE they are above average.

2) About "America Bashing"...saying that America isn't perfect isn't "bashing" anything. It's looking at things WITHOUT the child-like (and childish) tendency to assume that if you love something/someone, they never do anything Wrong. Adults realize they can be honest about things and people they love, know that there are both good and bad sides, and that doesn't diminish the love in any way. I love America, faults and all, and that means I want to see it own up to those faults and try to correct them. Be nice to see more ADULTS love our country, no?

Amen, Mike! We're fat, lazy, complacent slaves to convenience. No wonder most of the world is disgusted by us. Hell, I'M disgusted by us. We used to be an admirable nation. What happened? Too much soft, easy living, I think. WE'RE BETTER THAN THIS, FOLKS! People need to get up off their fat asses and DEMAND a better government! Remember, they work for US!

The only Americans who are getting fatter and dumber is our congress and corporate CEOs. I think they should all be tested in math and science ability,and if the dont measure up cut their pay and benefits or better yet outsource their jobs to China.

I HAVE noticed in the past few years that in general people are slipping in their spelling skill level. As far as the "fat " part of Gravel's comment- think about your mom and grandmother; there are LOTS more fat people now than say, twenty years ago. And I m talking fairly young (aged late 20s to 40s) . When you were growing up , think how many women and men were overweight... not many. Just go any mall in America and you will see moms with strollers. For every ten moms you see, count how many are obviously overweight. I rest my case.

ofcourse not ready for a president who will bother me with what he says without control!

Gravel is right, and it has nothing to do with political party affiliation. Those who need to put a party spin on the comments are only proving his point. It's easier to simply back a horse than do the research to come to your own conclusions. Assuming it's the fault of Democrats or Republicans is falling into the trap of being a dumber American. Corruption and corporate control infect both parties, our educational system and our consumer choices. How can we be surprised when our convenient, entitled lifestyle then produces poor government and malnourished, undereducated citizens?

We need to stop falling into the trap of picking political sides and instead hold all of our elected officials responsible, even the ones we may have supported. I voted for Bush in 2000. I'd vote for his impeachment today.

It is enormously refreshing that someone be honest with his opinions to the American people!

There is no denying he is telling the truth, but for the reasons he gave are very questionable.

I don't understand hating on one party or the other because of a few people from that party made a mistake or could have done something different. Both parties have their flaws. It's called the circle of life. Demecrats rule office for a while and Replublicans end up coming in to fix all of their problems. Once the Replublicans start messing things up, the Democrats come back into play to equal things out.

There is no happy medium. There is no single party that is better than the other. Republicans and Democrats woulnd never exsist without the other; and if it did, I sure wouldn't want to be around to witness it.

Point of this being. It's not just Bush. His intentions were great, but may have been missplaced after a while. Could you really imagine Clinton dealing with this? Didn't think so.

This guy seem like an Independent and he is using facts to devide votes. I don't believe him no matter how honest he seem. He is bringing other issue that don't count at this time. Ofcourse we know people are free to eat what they want. fattness is a sensitive issue in America however we need to have a priorities right now!

Wow, reading the comments I agree with him even more! Some people are obviously fat and displeased with his words (instead of doing something about their eating problem) and then others are blaming someone else for their stupidity. Sad. Whether we like it or not, Clinton is going to beat Giuliani for the Presidency.

Finally a truthful candidate.

dont forget lazier...its also fair to say that the rest of the world knew full well in 2000 what many americans are still slooooow to find out...
bush is history's biggest embarrassment...there are no words to express how atrocious this guy really is.

I am not fat, and not dumb enough to vote for this idiot. With all the serious problems in the world today he has to focus on individual's right to eat where they want, when they want and what they want. I may not agree with the food choices people make, but it is their right to choose for themselves and no government public servant has the right to tell any american citizen what to eat. It is a personal decision, if you don't want to eat certain food then don't, but please do not place your eating habits on other individuals.

And Gravel is proof of just how dumb america has gotton. That is person has received support is simply amazing.

Here is some advice to Gravel and Mahar: Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Known this for at least the last 7 years going on 8 years. It's true and getting worse. I live in a state that is Republican and has a reading level below the eigth grade. Oh yes very religious and none of them can read the bible.

Good for you Mr. Gavel!!! Let's rid ourselves of the feel good, God is on our side so we can do no wrong – while we run the Country into the gound – Republicans. Wake up America, it's your future we're talking about here.

There seems to be a lot of hypocracy out there on this one. I don't think that many people have a negative image of themselves, so to those in the chorus of agreement with Senator Gravel what you are really saying is that you know a lot of people other than yourselves who are fat and or stupid. You're all just passing the buck again; only a few have said, yes thats me, I'm fat or stupid. The rest of you are just passing judgment on those you haven't met, making your comments even sadder than the Senators.

100% correct Bob.

I was born in the states and lived there for my first 30 years.

I have lived in Australia for the last 12 years and would never take my kids to America to live.

I hate to tell you but even America's allies have had enough. I still get flack from fun loving Aussies who have had enough of the McDonalds, Rap music, Britney and all of the other rubbish culture of America being beamed to us.

America can not see past its own borders except to see how their invasion of countries is going.

I always used to laugh at "World News Tonight" as there was nothing dealing with the rest of the "world" except where America was fighting.

A classic Aussie comedy Skit showed a supposed American news anchor reading the news. She said "America, America, America. And in other news America, America, America."

America is so self obsessed. It is amazing how Americans can not fathom the idea that there is actually a better place to live in the world.

Believe it or not, I don't have to worry about driving into the wrong neighbourhood or getting shot for my shoes. There are plenty of places in this world which are much friendlier safe, fitter and smarter than America.

It is sad to watch my country of birth deteriorate into a country of obese, ignorant people who are dealing with such shocking social issues such as poor education, violence, drugs and obesity and yet still think they are the greatest nation on earth.

Ignorance is bliss.

Can't really disagree with the comment. Then again, take a look at the choices given to the American people. The Democrats gave us John Kerry. The Republicans gave us George Bush. Dumb and dumber. Sorry Gravel, the problem lies more with the two party system then the American people. That's why I hope Ron Paul runs as a Libertarian. At least that way I won't have to support either the dems or the repubs. Neither party is the solution, they are the problem.

Fat and dumb? So many Americans couldn't even reach their butt with both hands, let alone find it.

that doesn't matter much at this time....We have our kids dying on combat. sorry stop trying to make us think how honest you are. where were u b4? We have been watching you and you seem to have a mission of making other candidates a fool of themselves I am sorry we pay proper attention and details...

Posted By Getan Pade SD, CA : September 13, 2007 4:12 pm

And this has what to do with Gravel ...

He's right

He is correct, we are fatter and dumber. I have been a teacher for 15 years and the quality of child that we have educationally is serious going down hill. Sad thing it is not the child's fault. IDEA will eventually kill public education and dumb down America. The rest of the world just laughs at how much money we spend on "Special Education". Originally IDEA was a great idea but liberal judges have killed a good idea and made it into a excuse for those that just do not want to work.

Posted By James, Phoenix AZ : September 13, 2007 3:55 pm

----------–

Have you got a lingering crush on Bill Clinton? Get over it Mr. Man! He hasn't been president for SEVEN YEARS.

Considering what a dumb thing that was to say, I couldn't agree more.

Gravel forgot to add "greedy." Americans are dumb, fat, and greedy.

Well, the fact is, he's right.

And we do deserve the government that we put into power.

Wow, thanks Mr. Slender for pointing that out to us. And if he's not voted on next year, I guess we're not as dumb as he thought.

Fatter and dumber is correct. It is disgusting how lazy people are, 75% of the US population is obese!! It is unacceptable and pathetic. And people get so upset when they see perfectly built bodybuilders...go figure. Everywhere I go someone is on their cell phone, or using their laptop, ipod, blueberry or whatever, they are so unaware of their surroundings, they all look like a bunch of mindless drones. I highly doubt that a book even exists in their homes.

We are obese thanks to corn syrup, high fructose sweeteners and fast food. We are unable to write without spellcheck because our over managed schools are forbidden to train their students in proper English disciplines for fear that we might offend someone. Not all children are genius level. We spend far more than we earn and are credit card slaves. The lending systems are beyond the practice of usury. Stupid? Yes! There is a day of reckoning coming soon to what used to be America. I hope that I do not live to see it.

I'm fat, but I'm not dumb. And no, I don't eat "double cheeseburgers" (I'm a vegetarian, thank you) and yes, I exerise regularly. I was born fat. I'm short, too - is that also my fault?

I don't appreciate being lumped in with dumb, ignorant people just because of the body type I was born with - not by politicians, and not by the commenters here. Gravel isn't getting my vote.

James, Phoenix AZ

Why would unions vote Democrat? ...as opposed to voting with the union-busting Reagan party? Remember the air traffic controllers' incident? Corporations have been emboldened by the precedent it set sending unions in decline ever since. Also, Republicans are currently pushing for significantly higher numbers of H1B visas which take away higher paying jobs from Americans ...and they are unwilling to penalize corporations that reside in the U.S. for outsourcing jobs ...and they believe in privatizing anything and everything so that, again, corporations can take over. Can you say Halliburton? By the way, NAFTA was started during the Reagan days and was followed by that "new world order" Republican. There was also a Republican majority in congress during Bill's days, funny that was one thing they just happened to agree with him on.

Why would the poor vote Democrat? ...as opposed to the "compassionate conservatives"? At least Bill was big enough to admit he screwed up on that one.

Why would legal immigrants vote Democrat while Republicans are the ones protecting their rights? I guess their rights include continued low wages and no benefits so corporations can continue to make their profits.

Why would the gay/lesbian vote Democrat? Because this is America and if you have a voice, at least you have a chance of getting what you want. Unlike Republicans that silence anyone that doesn't agree with them. Look what happened to Larry Craig and the others.

Democrats aren't perfect but I'll pick them over a Republican ANY day.

Yes, he is so right!!! Thanks for saying that out loud Mike Gravel; America needs to wake up and exercise both physically and mentally.

What an accurate comment.
Kind of hard to get around the force fed half truth information from the mainstream media that is mostly biased that the bulk of Americans believe, and hard to get around the politicians who speake with forked tongues 95% of the time.
We get what we deserve, but as often as not we don't know what we are actually getting until it is to late.
It might be easier if politicians would get their fingers out of so many damnable pies and remember that is the American citizens that they are supposed to represent.

Excellent! It's the truth and I would vote for him

That is some poor grammar from some of the people who disagree with Gravel on this forum. Case in point !

stop fooling us. I have already know who I will vote for...

Ted Kennedy = Macy's New Years Day Balloon that calls Obama "Osama"

Yep, Mike, you're right!

I KNOW WHY YOU ARE THERE.....FROM DAY ONE YOU WERE VERY UNPROFESSIONAL ATTACKING OBAMA, NOW YOU WANT TO THINK HOW HONEST YOU ARE, JUST KNOW WE KNOW PSYCHOLOGY AND AS MANY PEOPLE GONNA THINK YOU ARE AS HONEST AS YOU SEEM. HOWEVER NOT ME. YOU JUST WANT TO TAKE THE INDEPENDENT PART OF A CANDIDATE AND DIVIDE THE VOTES. YOU ARE JUST THERE TO BRING OBAMA DOWN AND YOU ARE USING FACTS AND YOU KNOW AMERICANS NOW ARE HUNGRY OF TRUTH AND THEY ARE SENSITIVE OF WEIGHT. I STILL GONNA VOTE FOR OBAMA NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. JUST MARK THIS IS ALL IN CAPITAL SENATOR!

Let's take a look at things here. Yes, Americans are overweight, however, not all of that is by choice. People, there ARE medical conditions that can contribute to weight gain. Making a braod statement the way he did was off base. What is scary, is that he will probably get he nomination.

Anyone with any common sense, and I admit that is sketchy amongst the American public these days, knows full well that a politician will say anyhting to get elected. Of what they say only 10% may actually get implemented. Not so much becasue they are lyiing through their teeth, but because congress doesn't always allow things to go forward.

On the "dumber" comment. Things need to change in schools..no questions there. Ms Michaels from Hartford made some good comments in that regard. Quit molly coddling these kids and prepare them for life in an adult society. Get rid of the idiotic clothing styles where you can't tell a kid's gender, pay teachers a better salary and force these kids to behave in a manner befitting the school atmosphere. That means learning history, learning how to read (who had the great idea to take phonics out of the classroom?), learning respect and tolerance for all people and not shooting teachers and classmates for any old reason. There was a report here in MD about a 5th grade student who was caught showing a gun to other kids. School hadn't been in session 3 days.

I won't comment on the idea of 9/11 being a cover-up, I won't put myself down to that lack of common sense level.

My main comment to Americans and I realize not all have a problem, get a grip and start with some common sense. President Bush did not order the levies blown up in New Orleans, he did not plan and execute the 911 attacks, flight 77 and 93 really did exist, and I seem to remember a lot of American support when we went into Afghanistan...hmmm...weren't approval ratings somewhere around 90%? I cringe to think what President Clinton would have done....

Instead of blaming President Bush for everything wrong in the country, look at your daily lives and how you act in front of people and your children. A lot of the complaints here start in the home.

The truly dumb Americans are the ones who don't vote and then complain about the state of affairs.

Ahh, I love the hypocrisy. Tell me, my right-leaning friends, which do you love most: the United States of America, or the Republican Party? Which is it? Because, for years, you've been saying one thing (America – Love it or leave it!), yet you steadfastly stick with one party over the other, not even considering it as an option. In fact, most of you would probably love to see Democrats either tortured or sent to jail for treason.

So, which is it: Party or country? Or, are the two interchangeable? Is this really 1930s Germany, like most of us who have given up on both parties think it is?

We're not that dumb, Gravel. We're not voting for you!

"Reckoning", not "Reconing." Oops.. A too much in a hurry typo!
Mea Culpa

Well..that'why Bush was appointed, err.. elected twice. The entire world knows it. Many Americans are sedate and narrow minded with archaic views on issues like same sex marriage, abortion gun laws and science(life on Earth for 6000 years!!!).I was born and raised in Europe and can tell you from personal experience that even highly educated Americans lack information about national and global issues, but are quick to form opinions about other countries (which they usually can't find on a world map). High school graduates in European countries are far more educated than most college graduates in the US. The obsesity rate is much lower and the willingness to want to be informed does not compare to the apathy of the American public. Go Gravel!!!

He's right, as usual. Any country that does not impeach thier president for what Bush is guilty for really is dumb.

After reading this article and hearing of Mr. Gravel's remarks, he now is the frontrunner for my vote. If he keeps this up, I may volunteer to work for his campaign. It's about time somebody told the truth!

We ARE fatter and more stupid than ever before. Obesity is rampant in more than 2/3 of our states. ( Thank You, Corn syrup / fructose.) "Spellcheck" rules our communications rather than requiring that our children learn and understand the rules of the English language. Most Americans act and spend like tomorrow's financial reconing will never come. Stupid? I'll say!

No doubt. I'm voting for this guy.

He just said what many of us think and what statistics show. I travel outside of the US and this is exactly how we are portrayed. I do have much hope that we can ALL (republicans and democrats) do what's right for our country and take the time to learn what each candidate is about. Let's not hop on bandwagons, or hate due to what's happened in the past, or despise candidates due to partisan ideology, or race, or gender. If people are able to think for themselves and truly listen to what's being said without preconcieved notions, maybe, just maybe, we can get our country out of the mess the current administration has created. I think a politician that is able to be honest is far more important than one who just tells us what we want to hear, or worse, lies to achieve power.

Gravel, since your being so honest, let me return the favor. I think your an idiot and I am astonished you were ever a senator, then again perhaps thats why you went to Alaska. Stating that "Americans are getting fatter and dumber," doesnt help anything, everyone already knows this, the fact that obesity rates are up and reading levels are down is nothing new. But refering to these statistics using harsh words like 'fatter' and 'dumber' does nothing to fix the real problem that is causing this. More and more americans are becoming more and more lazy as time goes on and that is the problem so many people expect to have things just handed over to them. There are too many people sitting around wondering what or how they can sue someone else that has alot of money. Too many people abusing the welfare system. Too many people expecting everyone else to raise their children so kids are raising themselves whether it be by gangs or internet junkies. Also, too many morons being paid to screw things up even more or to simply do nothing but wear a suit and tie and go on TV making idiotic remarks, just like you.

He is right. 30% of the public still thinks that Saddam Hussein had links to al Qaeda and 9/11. The White House is counting on those same stupid Americans to continue supporting this war in Iraq. And yep, last time I looked around me I saw plenty of super fat, unhealthy people. Don't fear terrorism folks, fear diabetes!

Well, we are model corporate americans. If we can't pass the tests in school, just dumb them down till we can.

amen

He is speaking the truth, plain and simple.

"And Who's party has been giving all the handouts to make people "fat and dumb"? Can you spell DEMOCRATS."
Posted By Paul Wilson : September 13, 2007 6:22 pm

May be some truth to that, but better education helps you make better choices in all aspects of life. Haven't P.E. and health classes been virtually cut?

He's right. And it's not the government's fault. It's ours.

Finally. After years and years of pandering politicians-someone that has the integrity to tell it like it is. A large number of Americans are fat and dumb. Just listen to level of conversation around you. Go to youtube.com and search for the video Zeitgeist. God save me from all these ignorant fools. Anyway a politician telling the truth is a rare thing indeed. I'll be checking out Mr. Gravel to see if he is worthy of my vote-because only Ron Paul has demonstrated the courage and integrity deserving of my vote so far.

Where to start. First, yes, I can't argue that many Americans are overweight; I am one of them but m working on things. Fast food and the fast pace of life will catch up with everyone. However, as for the child obesity problem, parents need to kick their kids outside to play and run around, rather than letting them sit down to their video games for 10 hours a day. Now, on the "dumber" comment. Let's see, we have taken away red ink for grading papers, F's are no longer an option, teachers ar enot allowed to have any control in the classroom, by this I mean they look sideways at a kid and get sued for abuse. Instead, there are metal detectors and security guards at almost every school entrance. Something is really wrong with this picture. Instead of preparing these "kids" for life in adult society, they are being molly coddled to the point they believe everything is supposed to be handed to them on a silver platter. get toughter on kids, allow schools to have the control they once had and maybe the quality of teachers will increase if they don't fear for their lives everytime they walk into the classroom. How many teachers have been accused and then convicted of molesting one of their students? 20 years ago that was unheard of.

There was also a comment here about the 9/11 conspiracy and the fact the US planned the whole thing. Keep up the thought and join the line of radicals. Anyone who believes it was an "inside" job is barking up the wrong tree. What, bin Laden is funded by the US and all Al Quaeda are in US control?

I do say that unless something is done on the domestic agenda, the US is going to fold in on itself. Personally, potentially having a Democrat in the White House scares me to death. We will go back to the "that's OK, we understand" attitude and nothing will get done. We'll probably end up giving money to Bin Laden and Al Quaeda in order to make up for all the nasty things we have called them. After all, isn't it discriminatory?

Kate O. Long Island, NY said:

"Geez, what's the difference between Gravel and the ultra right who tell us we're all going to hell?"

Well, one is fact and one is faith, you can see one with your own eyes.

Also, why are honest people like this just written off? I don't like Ron Paul, but didn't something similar happen with him, now he's unelectable"

well, he's right. But that's not going to get him elected. Apparently we Americans prefer to be lied to.

>Again – my statement to Bob (SF) and to you, Ryan, is … to suggest that critical thinkers vote Democrat and non-thinkers vote Republican is a non-thinking statement!

>Posted By James, Phoenix AZ

James – You're absolutely right. I stand corrected. There are dumb people on both sides of the isle. I actually stand more towards the middle on some issues, but I side with the Dems when push comes to shove.

It's funny to see how we all see the stupidity on the "other side". I think MOST Americans are dumb. And while I do try my best to stay informed, I'm no Einstein either.

Cheers,

I am neither fat or dumb, my wife is not fat or dumb, my children are not fat and dumb, the people I socialise with are not fat and dumb and the people I work with are not fat and dumb.

Is "fat and dumb" how our goverment thinks of us?

I have to agree that he is correct. And you can tell he touched a nerve a little to close to home for some people by the few angry comments.

And he is right about Americans getting the government we deserve by who we vote into office. Bush is a great example of that. Just watch his recent speech in Australia. It was sad and EMBARRASSING. He couldn't even get the name of the country right. President Bush is a few brain cells shy of being in Special Ed. and we have no one to blame but ourselves for re-electing him.

Gravel's 100% correct. He's brutally honest in his assessment and unfortunately, that's one reason he won't be elected. Americans don't want someone who's going to be honest with them. If they did, George W. Bush would never have been elected.

I sure hope his name is first on the list for fat and stupid because the shoe definitly fits!!! Just one more reason why we do not need a democrat in the white house. That looks just peachy to all these other countries that can't stand us, "Look their own could be president has nothing nice to say about the American people either". What a big mouth idiot, grow up! ***RON PAUL 2008***

Posted By James, Phoenix AZ : September 13, 2007 3:55 pm

James that my have been your finest posting my friend. Too the point and it hit them where it hurts, the truth cavity.

I live in a state of elitists that vote for the same Brahmin types, but the funny thing is that John Kerry got WORSE GRADES THAN BUSH in school and yet he get's points for being "nuanced".

If nuanced means and answer to a question that doesn't actually answer the question, then he is your man.

Then we have Ted Kennedy, man of the people, he had his family beg and plead to get him into college where he promptly got tossed out after CHEATING on his exams.

That myth continues along with the one where Republicans "only care about themselves", when an independent study done more than once overwhelmingly showed that Republicans give to charitable organizations FAR more than the supposed "I care about the needy" Democrats.

Big fuzzy hugs.

he's right!

On the first count, fatter, he's absolutely right.

On the second count, dumber, he's sort of right. We're dumber in certain ways, and smarter in others.

Overall, though, I'd have to say he's right. Hurts, doesn't it?

Good for the Senator. Finally someone who does not care if he offends because he offers an honest assessment of Americans. We are "fat" and getting fatter and "dumber" as I can attest from the work I do with the public. Right On, Senator!

Gravel's statements are a brutal but in this commentators eyes a fair observation to make.
Without a doubt a whole generation of Americans have gotten emotionally softer, physically fatter and intellectually dumber because we have legimitized wearing rose-colored glasses to look at life under every and all situations.
We have slipped into a soccer-mom style society giving trophies to kids for just showing up to competitions that we don't bother to keep score at, make people "heroes" for doing even the most mundane of daily chores like taking out the trash, elevate sports and entertainment thugs to role models and excuse incompetence in government and business because "we understand thier feelings of disappointment".
But there is an outside chance of turning all this around. While I don't agree on every position they have put forth it was insiring listening to Gen. Petreaus and Amb. Crocker. Thier individual levels of professionalism, competence, clarity of real-world purpose and genuine courage will, with some luck, motivate the up and coming generation of Americans to return to the past levels of competency and world leading technical performance that have been squandered over the last 25+ years. To further editorialize, it's high time we as a society "cowboy up" to lifes difficuties and uncertainties and stop "dumbing down" so we can be all inclusive even if it's not deserving.

probably not the best way to get elected

he said it very nicely actually...its the headline that paints him as an idiot. he didnt "you're"....headlines fool people and shows the power of the media.

Thanks Senator Gravel, what you have said of our present government is mroe than correct and I hope it will not be happened again in next year 2008 election. Thanks again

He is right, but he is generilizing the entire population. And so are a lot of the comments to this article. The correct thing to say would be "Most American's are getting dumber and fatter." The article presents him as some god that knows everything and all other American's are getting fatter and dumber.

Its a nice try by CNN to give a headline such as " Dems 08 to call americans dumber and fatter" This is as if portray Dems as arrogant to lure the illinformed and fatter people to vote republicans. Thank you!

First of all Mr Gravel is 100% correct. Yes, he will not get the Democratic nomination, he can afford to speak the truth but the others who think they can win will only tell us what we want to hear. And loonytoon, who do you think is the goverment? Politicians and bearucrats? What about the 300 million plus citzens who live here? If everybody who is able to vote, votes, mabye we wouldn't be so dumb. Also, the Repulicans are equally if not more reponsible since they have had control of congress for twelve years and the White House for more than six years. Enough said.

And Who's party has been giving all the handouts to make people "fat and dumb"? Can you spell DEMOCRATS.

Nice... He must have been talking to Ted "Hic-Cup" Kennedy. I guess when Nationalized Health Care comes around they'll be doing stomach stapling for free!

http://edgruberman.wordpress.com

I strongly agree with a lot of people's post on here, particularly the more intelligent ones.

I will however point out a trend. Why do the majority of republican comments on here, as in, the comments coming from the mouth of republicans, do nothing but insult, but offer no valid reasons as to why democrats are worst than republicans. Sure, Clinton did things wrong, but in the long run, the more damaging run has been by Bush(if we are taking the narrow scope of the past 12 years. Ignoring global warming, lying to Americans about the war in Iraq, and creating one of the largest cover ups in American History(9/11)? Let's face it, our country is in sad shape(physically, mentally, historically) and someone needs to fix it, and it won't be fixed in four or eight years, maybe twelve to sixteen if we are lucky. But, the TRUTH is a good way to start.

I've been to other countries, and they too share this lazy and fat opinion of Americans. It's not just Gravel who sees reality, it is the world.

It is refreshing to hear politicians speak truthfully isn't it?

We are fatter and frankly we are getting dumber in this country by the minute. There seems to be a general dumbing down of Americans in present American culture. An "anti-culture" where morons are glorified and 50 cent is apparently first page news on CNN.com.

Apparently, people in this country are more concerned with the lives of celebrities than they are the environment, the amendments on their ballots, and the quiet ebbing away of our rights in this country.
WAKE UP AMERICA!!! Stop trusting in and believing everything politicians tell you at face value and use some critical thinking skills.
The USA has so many freedoms, and we take it for granted that we will always have them. But the american people are not at the heart of this administration's concerns, and as long as politicians are allowed to take huge amounts of money from big business and the wealthiest americans, there will always be a conflict of interest.

Things need to change. Let's start taking pride in ourselves again before it's to late.

Gravel is 100% RIGHT. American society is spoon-fed virtually every aspect of life from the watered-down news to mindless video games for our kids. If we want something better – we've got to get up off our butts and work for it!

AnA-
convenience, or just no time? the average family these days, in addition to being completely strapped for cash, is also strapped for time. I know many people out there who have to choose between leaving work to make a meal at home and getting in a few extra hours at work so they can pay for their children's schoolclothes.

Ryan – NY,

You asked me, "Why don't you present the Republican side of every argument that you made in this post?"

And you then suggested they (voters supporting Democrats) were picking the lessor of two evils.

Do unions HAVE to endorse any cadidate?

Are all union members/immigrants/poor people/gay~lesibians forced into choosing between Democrat or Republican?

Again – my statement to Bob (SF) and to you, Ryan, is ... to suggest that critical thinkers vote Democrat and non-thinkers vote Republican is a non-thinking statement!

Mr. Gravel has spoken the truth, and unfortunatly the american public will demand a apology for his remarks rather than take a long look in the mirror, skip fast food for lunch,and dust off their library cards!!Dumming down and makeing excuses for weight gain hurts everyone!

I think that if anyone has any question regarding the validity of Senator Gravel's comment, they should read half of the comments on here. Accept, not except! Though, not thou! The wurld is lawst withowt spellchek!

He is so right it is sad.. he just might make a good president, but I don't think all the dumb, fat americans (which are the majority) will vote for him now.. too bad we can't take the truth.. we are so used to lying and being lied to.. and a testament is all the spelling and grammar errors I saw in the posts!!!!

Yes – it's true – your average CNN watcher and politicians as a whole are sure getting a whole lot fatter and a whole lot dumber.

While it sure is important to debate whether we Americans are fat and stupid, we here in New Orleans are dealing with the real issues. We've got an executive privilege showdown of our own going on right now – over an air conditioner unit.

Check out
http://wecouldbefamous.blogspot.com/2007/09/showdown-at-city-hall.html

Our obesity rate is up, our reading rate is down. Our high schoolers compare poorly to other nations. A good number of our graduate students are from overseas.

And some of you think this is good news???

Oh, for Ray in Rochester, which part of Mission Accomplished do you agree with?? The WSJ editorial page is full of self moralizing tripe. As a scientist I read it to get a good feel for how much right-wingers hate science. But I guess you're part of the 30% that believes that Iraq is a huge success story (ala Inhofe) and that we're kicking A (ala Bush).

First of all whos Mike Gravel? lol

Lots of people will be upset but you know what its true. Studies show we are fatter than other developed nations and our waistlines are still increasing. Its also sad that our education scores keep slipping. Kudos to a politician who will actually speak the non PC truth.

So much talk about fast food being cheaper than healthy food...Is it? How much does it really cost to prepare rice with mixed vegatables? Adding chicken, doesn't increase cost that much. Including energy used for cooking, cook for yourself and $4-$8 = 6+ servings. That's just an example for one "dish".

When it comes down to it, it comes down to your individual choice to be healthy. It's just many people choose convenience over health.

AnA

I have read some of the comments on this blog and first I must say that I am very proud of Mike Gravel. Every since the first time I heard him speak I felt it was something real about him although I don't know his full intentions on moving AMERICA forward, but his angle on making and getting his point accross I applaud!

After reading some of the statements made by readers I can see why we are a NATION DIVIDED.

I myself an African American think that if we all LEARNED how to SPEAK the TRUTH as well as ACCEPT the TRUTH we would be a whole lot better off as HUMAN BEINGS.

Stop accepting things as to how they suit you and STOP offending yourself with other people's statements and LEARN how to EMBRACE and ACCEPT the TRUTH.

THINK TRUTH, SPEAK TRUTH, SEARCH for TRUTH, EMBRACE TRUTH and LIVE IN PEACE.

GOD BLESS THE WORLD!

Obviously everyone agrees. I have a novel idea. How about our representatives taking the high road and demonstrating by example to folks that they can improve these issues, instead of the gready congressmen helping themselves in the name of public service. So far I don't think people are sold on the idea that politicians are any different and are certainly more hypocritical or the approval ratings for congress would not be so low.

This man is right on the money....so let's not be dumb enough to put Hillary I got Baggage Clinton in office.

Takes one to know one, Mike Gravel.

Well, certainly all of our senators and representives and presidential canidates and president and vp and governors and state senators and state representatives are dumber. As for fatter, I'm not sure but I do know their fat wallets suffed with money from lobbyists make their butts look fatter.

Although he is right, it's the dumb and the fat who will take offense to this and prove his point by refusing to take his truthful comments seriously and productively.

Wow, I may just have to change my vote. This guy is obviously fearless!

C'on. Take it easy on yourselves. If you agree, start going to the gym, and stay away from 'all you can eat" places.

The comments on here further attest to the dumber part. Asking Mike Gravel what his solution is to America being dumber and fatter? HELLO! Nobody forced that Twinkie down your throat! Nobody strapped you to the couch to watch TV and play Nintendo! What do you want, government-funded liposuction every five years?

To those commenting on the Bush election as proof of dumber: I seem to recall that given the choices at hand, America chose an incompetent moron over a more incompetent moron. I commend Mike Gravel for telling it like it is. Now excuse me while I ride my bike home from work.

Could this be intentional?

I agree with his statement, especially when he said that "Americans are going to get the government they deserve." This is a more important reason why we should exercise our right to vote as educated Independents. Forget about voting Republican or Democrat. Neither party nor their candidates have not even slightly convinced me that they are fully capable to lead this country over the next 4 years.

Millions of dollars are spent by large corporations to lobby for legislation that benefit their businesses. Unfortunately, politicians seem to only listen to those who will fund their campaigns. Forget about the hardworking American citizens! Very few of them exercise their right to vote anyway!

When I think of the word "fatter," here's what comes to MY mind:

Dick Cheney
Newt Gingrich
Dennis Hastert
Henry Hyde
Rush Limbaugh
Karl Rove

and DUMBER? G.W. Bush. By leaps and bounds EVERY BLESSED DAY.
One would think that someone as "truthy" as Gravel would come up with a better way to deliver his message; because as much as I (a plus-size CORRECT-thinking person who NEVER voted for the First Nitwit and NEVER drank an ounce of the kool-aid) admire Gravel's honesty.....his method just isn't cutting it.

Is wise to alienate his constituency in that way?

To bad he is saying things like that about the same dumb, fat Americans that vote Democrate!!!

Thanks for that Mike. You just lost the nomination. Oh wait – you never had a chance anyways, loser!

And how much money does one need in order to get into office?? As soon as running for the White House becomes an "every mans" race then we’ll take responsibility for voting them there, until then – shut it. The only candidates we have to vote for are the ones that have the financial backing to get there. And so we go with the lesser of two evils.

Sometimes the truth hurts

Tough love..
Now put down that dbl. cheeseburger and take your butt back to school...

Have to say, I agree 100%. This guy has the courage to say it. I will check the rest of his ideas now, and if he has some ideas how to change this tendancy, I'll vote for him.

So over the course of the last few decades, ordinary Americans have become dumber and fatter?? OK them Gravel...I'm waiting with anticipation for you to call for you to point the finger at our failed public school system which has failed at properly educating our children. And I'm also waiting for you to call for stronger enforcment of our borders. Such enforcement may help to put all these fast food resturants out of business when it makes food production more expensive.

Right on senator Gravel, you could not have said more eloquently. We need leaders with an actual brain in thier heads. We need someone in "Power" that will clean up this country and politicians that will enforce the laws.

Kinda hard to dispute! I've witnessed the gradual "Dumbing of America" for years. As long as we find more ways to distract ourselves instead of concentrating on real issues, watching our wide-screen HDTVs instead of taking a walk every now and then and picking up a book instead of tuning in to ET or the latest TV-Gossip rags, this phenomenon will never change. We are getting EXACTLY what we are asking for!

Finally, someone willing to call a spade a spade.

Posted By James, Phoenix AZ : September 13, 2007 3:55 pm
Why don't you present the Republican side of every argument that you made in this post? If you had, you'd see that all those groups that you mentioned support Democrats over Republicans because, in comparison, they're still picking the lesser of two evils.

I like the honesty. People who take offense to this are probably fat, dumb or insecure. At least he is willing to tell the truth.

Elementary and High schools are very busy teaching sex ed and sensitivity training to students. Geography classes probably have to be politically correct – focusing no doubt on undeveloped countries and the plight of their people, versus focusing on the bad, evil (sarcasm) USA. And colleges push classes on USA bashing and the study of the American "culture" (i.e., the music of Britney Spears, et al). Can't let kids play tag and other games on the playground – someone may get their feelings hurt. We have dumbed down our educational system and don't allow kids to play. Dumb and fat? Yep.

He's making the Mondale mistake. Pessimism makes for a loser politician. Politics is the selling of atitudes and ideas. Why did Reagan, Bush 1&2, and Clinton win votes? They smiled, gave an uplifting message, and were believable about it. People, en masse, aren't going to buy this guy's point of view or pay attention to him for too long.

I just hope that we are NOT so dumb as to elect far left liberal Democrats who insist on NOT confronting the radical Islamic threat that is rapidly positioning to destroy the known civilized world and who insist on preserving the 'rights' of Americans to sink to such low moral levels as to entice radical Islamic terrorists to target those low moral Americans to rid the planet of the stench.

**grumble grumble i'm mike gravel and i criticize a lot but don't offer any decent solutions grumble grumble grumble**

He's right- we ARE getting tubbier and tubbier. But why? Could it be that McDonald's and processed crap food are cheaper than healthy, good-for-you food, and most Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck? Could it be that the FDA has allowed the food industry to put unhealthy perservatives in our food? It's not as easy as dropping that bag of Cheetos- especially when they're cheaper than whole grains and fresh veggies.

I wonder how many people posting here saying "Yea! He's right!" are going to go home after work today, bust out the pork rinds and suck on a six pack of beer while watching Sports Center?

When you elect Bush the second time and and 30% of the people still belive that Saddam was responsible for 9/11 attack, it is a clear indication that the people don't read and follow like robots what their party forced them to absorb. These people do not have a mind to think rationally. As far as obesity is concerned, its not their fault as a whole. The comapnies who sell and market high fat, high calorie content food are equally responsible. If these poor people can get their whole meal at less than $3, they are not going buy a healthy food at $10!

The Dems are the ones who betray us. They do not deserve to lead.

he is absolutely right. go to starbucks and look at the people in line and behind the counter. get on an airplane recently.

I am no fan of democrats but I haven't heard such an honest statement in years

Hey CNN, why is it that we can comment on ALL of the stories about Democrats on your ticker today, but not the ones featuring Republicans? What's up?

Of course, the comments are from elitest Democrats that agree with the elitest Gravel. "How else could we get Bush twice? Oh yeah, everyone around me is an idiot."
If I may offer my own sweeping generalization, I'd say Americans are fatter and *crazier* than ever. See 9/11 troofers, etc.

I noticed that CNN left out Dennis Kucinich of its Yahoo Democratic Candidate Mashup coverage.

Way to keep it "fair and balanced" CNN. I'm just about done with all Corporate Military Industrial Media.

Finally, an honest politican! I never thought I'd come across a democrat that I'd ever vote for, but I think Mike Gravel would be the man!

Wow, overwhelmingly positive comments agreeing with him. I thought for sure my fat & stupid brothers and sisters would start complaining and whining. I'm glad to see my America stepping up and getting a clue. Although it probably just means the fat & stupid ones can't be bothered put down their Twinkies to type. That reminds me...where's my Ding Dongs?

Re: Bob in San Francisco....Hey, Bob..the Dems have been in control of our public schools and the national news media for the last 45 years. What happened to my country ?

Nice headline... geez, what a setup.

'Maher told Gravel that obesity rates are up and reading levels are down and added that the "definition of a friend is someone who tells you the truth." '

So Gravel does absolutely nothing but rephrase what Maher said, and CNN writes it up as though Gravel woke up this morning, eager to insult us all.

Must be time to thin the herd, eh, Teddy?

I love Mike Gravel. He speaks the truth. Wake up America!

Thats right America, every where I go I see some fat F#@! sitting there chomping away or complaining on their cell phone, we are getting fatter and you love it. Before long America you will be so fat foreign force wont need weopons to push us down just wheel barrows to move us out of the way, and your all to dumb and to lazy to do some thing about it. So if your reading this and you think Im wrong, get away from your computer and off your ass and do some thing like getting involved in your comunity, or read a book not a magazine. I totally agree with this guy on this subject, its about time America wakes the hell up!

Only in America do we have a society where people feel that the government owes them, from housing, to medical coverage, to a pension and or social security! I applaud Sen. Gravel for being gusty and calling it what it is and CNN for reporting it! We have to much sugar coated media reporting only what the media wants us to see and hear. As far as government is concerned, we American VOTERS and Tax Payers need to DEMAND for Term Limits to get these Life Time Law Makers out of the system, and off the milk and honey government pay roles. They become proud, arrogant and bought out by special interest groups! And they have to die to quick, or get caught doing something that they should not.

Hello! , He is absolutely correct! Bush was going to save the holey sanctity of marriage from the evil homosexuals so vote for Bush. Anyone who voted for Bush, and is as dumb as Bush, and thinks like Bush, deserves what he or she gets. The divorce rate is over 50% and it has nothing to do with anyone’s sexual orientation, nor is anyone’s sexual orientation a threat to anyone in any manor, way, shape, of form. So to the religious idiots and right wing republicans I say "you made your bed with Bush now sleep in it!".

Geez, what's the difference between Gravel and the ultra right who tell us we're all going to hell?

Dumber? Fatter? I don't know. I'm fatter than I used to be, but better educated.

My Ph.D. husband is a NASCAR fan (Ivy league Ph.D., thank you).

It's entertaining for some to listen to this tripe, but Gravel's comments don't really serve any purpose and don't advance the public discourse.

He's right.

Gravel;
How come you always seem mad when you respond to question.? even on this photo you look angry. Why?

When did being fat become a crime? Was Spears Fat after having two children?( I did not think so) Why is it wrong to make fun of someone for being black, mexican or gay but it is perfectly okay to poke fun at someones weight.
Does fat = Dumb? If you want to see fat look at the budget for Alaska.

OK, so the guy has a firm grasp of the obvious. What is his solution? Or is that up to US?

Excuse me while I eat my Big Mac and watch NASCAR.

Honesty! Thank you for the assessment. Americans are glued to ridiculous reality TV shows, the Internet and gossip magazines. We have lost the art of proper written and spoken communication. The true dumbing down of America began with the, gasp, twice elected George Bush.

And YOU think you will be the nominee after insulting the voters like that? The approach you are taking is frankly quite frank and yes, Americans are more overweight than rest of the industrialized world. You won't get anywhere being THAT frank with the voters, Senator! Just pack up and head on back home.

Too funny!!! I would never vote for Gravel but he's absolutely right!! As a whole, we are fatter than ever and less informed than the average person in other countries. The dumbing of America.....

This guy was my match on some online candidate match and I didn't understand why at first. Now I do and I coldn't agree more. He's right!!! Tell it like it is...I may just have to research him more.

Finally someone has the courage to tell the truth. Unfortunately, it is probably the worst thing he could have done. People are so use to be lied to that I think having someone tell them automatically ended his political career. Its time people started using their minds and stopped letting politicians think for them. Thats how we got Bush.

The problem isn't the "two party" system–we don't HAVE a two party system. The program is that we need public financing of campaigns to level the playing field a bit.
My ability to be elected to public office should not be contingent upon my bank account.

Hey Mikey,

I weigh 642 pounds and can't read. What's your point?

The source of the dumb Americans is the "journalism" we have. Instead of delivering information in a way that imparts knowledge the media deliver snippets of half truths designed to upset or excite.

Instead of reporting an entire speech, they deliver parts they think will cause people to be upset. They don't even post a web site where people could go to read the entire speech!

We end up with half-informed or even intentionally misled people arguing about fictional positions smeared onto the candidates.

We have to take matters into our own hands. We have to go to the web sites of ALL the candidates and read their speeches. Read their detailed (or not so detailed) views on the issues. Read about the history of these people to find what made them who they are. Then we have to decide whose worldview most closely matches our own and whose policies overall most closely match our sensibilities.

Then we will know who to vote for. WE CAN DO IT. But we can not rely on the news media, print, TV or internet to provide the truth.

If the American people have the strength to inform themselves about the candidates, and push back the veil of ignorance that is placed upon us by CNN and other news organizations, we will choose a great leader.

Gravel is absolutly right! I work in a library environment and I see it every day. Dumber and fatter! How depressing!
Bush got re-elected. That takes care of the dumber part!
At least half of the patrons overflow the chairs with thier backsides when they sit at the computers! That takes care of the fatter part!
Need I say more!

September 13, 2007 - WASHINGTON – The New York Times dramatically slashed its normal rates for a full-page advertisement for MoveOn.org's ad questioning the integrity of Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq.

Headlined "Cooking the Books for the White House," the ad which ran in Monday's Times says Petraeus is "a military man constantly at war with the facts" and concluded – even before he testified before Congress – that "General Petraeus is likely to become General Betray Us."

According to Abbe Serphos, director of public relations for the Times, "the open rate for an ad of that size and type is $181,692."

A spokesman for MoveOn.org confirmed to The Post that the liberal activist group had paid only $65,000 for the ad – a reduction of more than $116,000 from the stated rate.

A Post reporter who called the Times advertising department yesterday without identifying himself was quoted a price of $167,000 for a full-page black-and-white ad on a Monday.

Serphos declined to confirm the price and refused to offer any inkling for why the paper would give MoveOn.org such a discounted price.

Kudos to Mike for speaking the truth. There are people who are more concerned with the next episode of Americans Next Top Model than what's going on in the country.

I've known a few people who are actually poor and are on welfare but voted Republican just because they don't like gays.

How can anyone argue with him? We ARE a nation of consumers and materialistic addicts with the massive Republican corporations reaping the rewards.

I don't know if many people remember but what was BU$H telling us not long after 9/11 and the economy started tanking? ...meaning corporations weren't making the profits BU$H had promised them? He came out on tv telling us to go out and shop. That has stuck in my mind ever since.

I don't know if I'm voting for him but Gravel's absolutely right, we'll get the government we deserve. Just look at the one we got in the last presidential election. However, if the last mid-term election is any indication, there may be hope after all.

...oh, yes... and after reading some of these political blogs it seems like most of that fat is thickly wrapped around brains...:-)

OBAMA 08!

Finally some politicians with honesty and gut. He's right on; Americans deserve a slap in the face, literally, for all their ignorance and arrogance.

p.s. Is it really true that one out of five Americans can't point out their country in the world map?

He is right. PERIOD.

I love this guy. He's honest, he's accurate, and he's not afraid to say things that people need to hear... finally.

He's got my vote, although it won't help him get the nomination.

We've got to do something about this two-party monster we've created.

Open primaries? Top five candidates run?

Bob (SF),

Your analysis is that Republicans want to: 1) destroy the environment and 2) pad the pockets of the rich. Was this your attempt of the critical thinking skills lacking in our country or are you too displaying rote memorization skills by mimmicking Bush-Bashers?

Critical-thinking would admit there is a large segment of our population from ALL political persuations that allow the party leaders to do their thinking.

Why would unions and their members blindly support Bill Clinton – who signed NAFTA into law (exporting jobs, allowing Mexican trucks on our highways, etc)??

Why would most people battling poverty vote for Democrats – when it was Bill Clinton that signed into law deep cuts into the Welfare program??

Why would legal immigrants more often vote for Democrats when it is the Republican Party that is calling for enforcement of immigration laws and wanting to PROTECT the rights of legal immigrants??

Why would the gay/lesbian community overwhelmingly support Democrat candidates that do NOT support Gay marriage? (Hillary, Biden, Obama, Edwards)

Certainly Republican constituents have their "blind followers" – but to suggest the lack of critical thinking applies to those voting Republican IS NOT critical thinking.

Yeah Bob in SF. That's why SF supports a Mayor who slept with his staffer's wife.

Implying that people who support the Bush administration are dumb is the height of hubris. But that's to be expected from SF, a city so full of itself.

By the way, the Wall Street Journal is the second most widely circulated paper in the country (behind USAS Today). I read it and I would guess that you and the other far-lefties don't because it actually forces someone to read an article not a two line soundbite.

auch!!!

but I do agree, people are getting fatter and (considering the education given to us by the politicians we elect) dumber.....

hopefully this is a wake-up call to a few out there and they will start reading more (specially between-the-lines) about the politicians that wants to shape our future.... and hopefully we will not get to live 4 more years of a moron-in-chief....

Anyone see the movie Idiocracy? Scary but I think that sums it up well.

So true but no way in hell he'll ever get elected.

I don't particularly care for Mike Gravel, but I can't argue with his comments. We have generally become a nation of fatter dumber poeple to a great extent. (Unfortuantely, I'm one of those "fatter" statistics, and I hate it.) I'm amazed at many of my friends who still can't see that Bush invaded Iraq with no real basis and no real plan. When people say, "Well, the President must have known something we didn't." & accept that as gospel, then I start to really question their logic.

I agree. America will get the leadership they deserve. Most people are too lazy or disinterested to invest the time to learn about the candidates or learn about what it means to be a "leader" not a politician. That's why we got Bush TWICE (shocking). Read historical and classical definitions of what makes a great and positive leader and you'll see that Obama is the leader we should have, but may not get. His message is intelligent and thoughtful, not simple and trite. That's why he appeals to the more educated crowd. The majority of lower- to uneducated women support Hillary while the majority of educated women support Obama, that tells me a lot about the quality of the Obama message.

The average American will respond to Gravel's comments with "HUHH HUHH....HIS NAME IS LIKE THEM LITTLE ROCKS IN THE ROAD!" while eating a huge bag of Fritos.

He is just telling it like it is. The American people are just sheep. They would rather give up freedoms in order to feel safe. In that case, they deserve neither.

Thank you Senator Gravel!!

Sad... but very true. Unfortunately no President could possibly alter the course of America in this particular area. The Wal-Martization of our land has led to this and the vast American peasantry has gobbled it up whole-heartedly. (sigh)

I could not agree more. Americans have a very narrow view of the world (as if the rest of the world exists only to serve America). And at the same time, when it comes to food, the more you get on your plate, at a restarant, the greater the bargain. Biggest donuts, largest couisants, enormous softdrinks, I think all that fat is suffocating peoples ability to think.

We are turning into an appalling ugly country with an awful government to match. I wonder sometimes if anyone is paying attention.

Honest words from an honest man ... and a Democrat no less.

He forgot one other thing however, we are far more self-righteous. We don't get along anymore and are far less tolerant of differing viewpoints. Remember when we were Americans, not Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals?

It is time for a change!

Well that explains why George was elected not once but twice!

Probably also why he and Cheney haven't been impeached yet.

Yeahm but he didn't tell you that its the governments fault.

Failed education programs coupled with continued social handouts makes for a fat, dumb, lazy population. Just what the dems want in a voter..

Man!, those are some harsh words there Gravel and I don't think its the right way to get to people, you are probably not even at 5% and this is not going to help you.
He is right thou.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with Senator Gravel and it appears our current administration and the members of congress are counting on it.

Doesn't the current administration and the republican party want us to be fat and dumb and happy so we will except anything they do? OK some of us are not happy with the current government.

Gravel says he's being a friend to America and being honest with us...however, he apparently doesn't understand that friends aren't supposed to insult friends by calling them "fat" and "dumb"...I know better than to call my own friends that.

He probably meant that as a joke, but with Gravel, you can never tell when he is serious or being funny (does anybody remember those ads he put on tv awhile back?).

Oh well, as long as Obama gets elected president in 2008, I don't mind what Gravel does.

Man!, those are some harsh words there Gravel and I don't think its the right way to get to people, you are probably not even at 5% and this is not going to help you.

It's not going to help him, thankfully, but he nailed it with that comment.

In related news, a CBS/NY Times poll revealed this week that 1/3 of Americans believe that "Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon."

He's absolutely right. We're becoming a nation of dumb consumers. This benefits the over the top capitalist system (that tells you to buy a "new and improved" version of everything all the time), and keeps a destructive regime like the Bush administration in power.

Unless you benefit from environmental deregulations or are part of the upper economic tier, you ultimately vote against your best interests by voting Republican.

But the masses of dumb Americans are easily manipulated with propaganda geared towards their single-minded mentalities.

Critical thinking skills are not valued in our educational system, but rote memorization skills for arbitrary test scores are.

America will continue to suffer for this breakdown in health and education. But go ahead and eat your McDonald's and watch NASCAR instead of reading the paper (and not USA Today tabloids).

We do deserve the government we get.

FINALLY!! A politician who speaks truth!!!! Most Americans prefer their news in 30 second sound-bites, and, considering that Bush was elected (well, questionably) in 2004, AND it appears we prefer McDonalds to cooking a healthy meal – Yup, I'd day Gravel's right on target.