"and more knowledgeable citizens"

Well you must not be a regular reader of the G&M. Just two days ago as part of the lead up to the Canada day celebration their was a fascinating piece here informing Canadians who hadn't heard that evidently Americans now think it's cool to be stupid. 
In the excitement leading up to a celebration somewhat similar to America's 4th of July, Canada's national newspaper ran on it's 'front page' , top center, that your only neighbors think it's cool to be stupid.