The problem lies in the arena of capability vs. actual use. Many folks COULD be much smarter and wiser than they are - unfortunately, they aren't. Check the reading level of any of the Federalist Papers and you will find that they were written on a post-graduate level. Do the same thing with most papers today and you will find the result to be much lower. The goal of making everyone equal is nearly complete!
Can you please cite your source?
Check the reading level of any of the Federalist Papers and you will find that they were written on a postgraduate level. Do the same thing with most papers today and you will find the result to be much lower.
You are ignoring some very relevant facts:
1. The authors of the Fed Papers were not only the top intellectuals in the country, their paper was not designed to be read by the general populace, many of whom were illiterate. It was aimed at other intellectuals and governments.
2. Current newspapers are specifically written at a low education level to promote circulation. However, I would hazard that the general literacy rate, as well as the percentage of postgraduate literacy, is well above the American 18th century levels.