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...

"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?

Vernacular- belonging to the speech that is naturally acquired.

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,

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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'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.

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.