Congressional Version of Dumb and Dumber

Recently the Sunlight Foundation conducted a study using the Flesch-Kincaid test that accesses the grade level reflected in the speeches. Although the entire congress show a grade level lower the congressional members of seven years ago, here is a list of the 10 dumbest members of congress.

 

1. Mick Mulvaney, R-SC: Known for his resistance for resistance to programs that fund economic growth and reduce programs to the poor. Willing to see us default.

2. Rob Woodall, R-GA Rejected Health Insurance Program because it was free. One of two that voted against the Stock Act that prohibited Congress from benefiting from insider trading.

3. Rand Paul, R-KY: Cranky Ron Paul’s son, a libertarian big into personal responsibility willing to BP off the hook.

4. Sean Duffy, R-WI:  Complained his $174,000 salary as a congressman wasn’t very much and he should be able to keep it while other government workers were laid off.

5. Tim Griffin, R-AR: Part of the Bush scandal that fired several U.S. attorneys for political reasons and replaced them with their cronies.

6. Todd Akin, R-MO: Said on radio, “The heart of liberalism really is a hatred for God and a belief that government should replace God.”

7. Vicky Hartzler, R-MO: Doubts Obama’s citizenship, anti gay marriage…

8. Tom Graves, R-GA:  Want extreme gov. limitation, voted against screening folk for background checks and voted to extend oil subsidies twice.

9. David Schweikert, R-AZ: Said “You have the right as an American to be dumb.” As an argument against Affordable Health Care.

10. Ron Johnson, R-WI:  Ardently against stimulus programs except when the benefited is baby the Grand Opera House when he was president of its board.

These members speak at a 7^th to 8^th grade level (7.95 – 8.61).

They also note that 8 of the 10 are first term Tea Party members. Thus their arrogant selfish demeanor and resistance of compromise and teamwork are indeed reflective of a typical 7^th or 8^th grader. I also realize that may be a slur of our middle grade kids, many of whom display much more mature levels of behavior that these folk.