The differences you imply to be insignificant are quite what
differentiates the ignorant from the educated.

They do not, however, help a person to make an intelligent decision. Not
about politics, nor anything else. Nor are today's "common folk" any
better at doing that sort of thing than the "common folk" of 200+ years
ago, IMHO.

The ability to read and write doesn't "help a person to make an intelligent
decision"?

That is, quite possibly, the single most absurd conclusion I've *ever* read
on Usenet.

Congratulations!

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"