We all like to think that American politicians are the country’s best and the brightest. But then a test comes along to shatter all our illusions.

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute has devised a test measuring what Americans know about their government, history, and civic policies. The answer is, not a lot. The average score for Americans was 49%, a fail in anybody’s language.

But you know the scariest part? When elected government officials were tested, their average score fell to 44%. 44%? When this test is about all those subjects these people should know as part of their jobs? Now that’s downright disturbing!

I really don’t want to think that the American government is dumber than the average person. But I can’t help wondering, did all the politicians do badly or did George W Bush just drag the average down?