[Tweaker]

Constructive criticism.

"...but I know that that platitude doesn't cut muster.. "

Use either "pass muster" or "cut the mustard"
Combining the two makes you sound like Archie Bunker and totally destroys the statements

"I am also a columnist who knows how to use words effectively. And, to boot, my SAT scores and IQ are higher than both candidates currently running for president (for what that's worth). Not to toot my own horn, but the point is that I'm someone worth listening to,.."

[Congressman Billybob]

Actually, the phrase "cut the mustard" is a corruption of the old military phrase "cut the muster." It is an attack on leaders who are two incompetent to select able subordinates before going into battle.

Billybob

[TexasCajun]

Not to toot my own horn, but the point is that I'm someone worth listening to,.."

A legend in your own mind, are ya?