You know, if I didn't know any better I'd say that most Americans in the USA are no brighter than your average Republican. What do we love? The military and the cops! What do we hate? Public schools and unions! Grrr!

New Gallup poll on "how much confidence" Americans have in various societal institutions. "I bet I know what came in last—Congress!"- Jay Leno. Right you are, Jay Leno. Congress came in last. But the big picture here is a little disturbing

AMONG AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED INSTITUTIONS

The military
The police
The church or organized religion

AMONG AMERICA'S LEAST TRUSTED INSTITUTIONS

The public schools
Newspapers
Organized labor

"America: the best at killing, incarcerating, and pacifying people! The worst at educating, informing, and uniting people! America! America! America!" Not a bad slogan, actually.

Still, what a bunch of jerks we are.

[Gallup via Economix. Photo: AP]