Democracy.

I was suprised how many people got really worked up over the election results. I'm not particularly suprised, actually, I'm used to being in the minority. While I may not like the outcome, the painful truth of democracy is that the majority prevails (except in 2000 - but that's a different issue). They prevail whether they are right or wrong, whether they know what they are getting into or not.

Remember the average American doesn't have very impressive credentials.

20% of Americans read at or below the 5th grade level.
A 1985 study of 2l-25 year olds showed: 80% couldn't read a bus schedule
73% couldn't understand a newspaper story
63% couldn't follow written map directions
23% couldn't locate the gross pay-to-date amount on a paycheck stub
Another study showed 40% of Americans can't fill out a deposit slip correctly.
A 1991 survey found that 49% of Americans surveyed didn't know white bread was made from wheat.
A 1977 Survey found that 87% of people asked were unable to identify what the document was when presented with an unlabeled Declaration of Independence.
A Department of Education Survey found that 44% of Americans will not read 1 complete book this year.
98% of US households have at least 1 TV.
53% of High School Graduates and 27% of College Graduates get all their information from television.