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113
114

Are we really that stupid? (imgur.com)

submitted ago by XXVII27

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[–]Wrym 56 points57 points ago

Are we really that stupid?

Tens of millions really are.

[–]jrizos 1 point2 points ago

Same number of people who would blame it on the Giants winning the Superbowl--provided their team didn't.

[–]Bartleby1955 -3 points-2 points ago*

Here's my Rule O Thumb:

1/3 of Murcians are beyond the pale, dumbfuck useless.

1/6 of Americans can think critically.

the remaining half are in a roughly "Normal" distribution between the two.

[–]Helikaon242 0 points1 point ago

What do you have against the Murcians?!

[–]prider -1 points0 points ago

1/6 of American can think critically.

It is a gross overestimation. Probably err by a factor of millions

[–]fingerrockets 0 points1 point ago

probably more like 2 out of 10 the 80/20 rule

[–]prider 0 points1 point ago

It may apply if USA is a normal society with a working education system.

[–]Dan_K 43 points44 points ago

The same people that believe that shit are the same ones that won't remember that gas was at $4.00 a gallon in 2008.

[–]mst3kcrow 3 points4 points ago*

They don't even bother to know the following: peak oil, finite resources, oil speculation, and how much gas would cost if you included its cost to the environment (Hint, closer to something along $13/gal).

[–]NCC74656 8 points9 points ago

i think that 2001 was when gas was around 1.78. i remember my 10th grade year in HS (2002) is when i got my truck and when gas cleared 2.00 a gallon. i also remember 199X my mom filling up and gas had just broken 1.00 a gallon, i think it was around 96 maybe?

[–]kimwim42 4 points5 points ago

And I remember it in 1972 it was 39¢.

[–]wang_shuai 14 points15 points ago

1972, back when Obama was training as a Sith Acolyte in the Netherworld w/ zombie Hitler, Marx, and Mao, preparing for the day he would fool all the American people by imposing anarchy, socialism, and pre-Civil War inequality on America.

39¢, huh? omg! 3+9 is 12, 12+12 = 24, we have 24 hours before Obama initiates his doomsday device!

[–]mitchwells 0 points1 point ago

That's around the time he beheaded that poor Indonesian kid, Darsano Rahardjo, right?

Some seriously believe this.

[–]proud_to_be_a_merkin 0 points1 point ago

Oh shit, Groucho Marx was there? Sounds like it must've been a blast!

[–]IronPigeon 1 point2 points ago

Clearly we need to stop electing presidents

[–]FUNKYDISCO 1 point2 points ago

who was president in 1972? lets call that guy up, I'm sure he's probably just hanging out down by the pool...

[–]kimwim42 1 point2 points ago

Like the president has anything whatsoever to do with the price of gas.

[–]FUNKYDISCO 0 points1 point ago

I thought he called up all the gas station owners every morning and told them what the price was? have I been LIED to???

[–]amadeus2490 0 points1 point ago

What cost $.39 in 1972 would cost $2.01 in 2010..

The federal minimum wage in 1972 was also $1.60, which would be about $8.24 in 2010.

[–]kimwim42 1 point2 points ago

I just remember once scrounging around in the back seat looking for change, and putting in 17¢ 's worth.

[–]mak10z 0 points1 point ago

hell 17¢ wouldn't get you vapors at todays prices

[–]Mazgelis626 1 point2 points ago

It was around $1.75 in New England just before the election. They forgot to account for New England being primarily democratic and intelligent enough to see what's happening.

[–]fishingman 0 points1 point ago

The first time I paid a dollar a gallon was in the late 70's, (79 I think). Gas had settled around a dollar for several years, and did drop below for a short time. So gas did go over $1 a gallon in the 90's, but it had done that many time before.

[–]BalconyFace 0 points1 point ago

i pumped gas in the summer of 1999. $0.99/gallon.

[–]SimilarImage 57 points58 points ago

Age User Title Reddit Cmnt Points
1 week CoreyRogerson My friend found this at a gas station in GA, thought it was worth sharing. /r/pics 38 33
1 week Andthesuch This is a joke, right? /r/funny 24 32
1 week teags 100% factual /r/pics 16 2

This is an automated response

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[–]Indon_Dasani 5 points6 points ago

How is it that voters correlate gas prices to the president, but not wage increases?

Both are influenced heavily by the general economic environment and approximately as influencable by the government and president.

[–]tomthecool 44 points45 points ago

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qey7t/hey_there_voter/

http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/qfeur/found_this_on_facebook_thought_it_deserved_better/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qdslx/this_has_been_circulating_on_facebook_anyone_have/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qamfy/never_mind_the_logicspot_the_grammar/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qahlu/100_factual/

http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/qcgm6/ill_just_leave_this_in_here/

http://www.reddit.com/r/WTF/comments/qbjku/post_it_note_at_the_pump/

http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/qaq03/this_is_a_joke_right/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qbvbu/antiobama_ad_found_at_the_gas_station/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qbziv/was_pumping_gas_today_i_dont_want_to_live_on_this/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qaplt/found_this_note_waiting_at_the_pump_today_i_live/

http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/qcu41/stole_from_facebook_this_was_on_all_the_pumps/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qbjtm/the_passiveaggressive_ignorance_overwhelms_me/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qawkl/hmph_must_be_an_election_year/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qch74/how_many_people_are_going_to_claim_they_took_this/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qbrnv/anyone_but_obama/

http://www.reddit.com/r/WTF/comments/qbnpx/seen_on_a_fuel_pump_in_douglasville_ga/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qbl4q/anyone_but_obamasaw_this_on_facebook/

http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/qb2jr/they_should_have_this_on_every_gas_pump/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qary8/saw_this_at_a_gas_station_i_think_everyone_else/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qakyt/can_reddit_explain_why_this_thing_about_obama_and/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qa6we/my_friend_found_this_at_a_gas_station_in_ga/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qbi0w/this_is_making_the_rounds_on_facebook_and_it/

http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/qayzm/its_because_hes_black_isnt_it/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qax9w/meanwhile_in_the_red_states/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qavop/if_i_see_this_picture_one_more_time_on_fackbook/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qc8jq/hey_there_voter/

http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/qak6w/post_it_notes_what_a_great_invention/

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/qblt2/maybe_this_belongs_here/

I don't generally mind reposts too much, but seriously... come on...

[–]palsh7 22 points23 points ago

I'm on Reddit every waking hour that I'm not at work and this is the first time I've seen it. Fuck off and let the system of upvoting and downvoting work.

[–]kimwim42 -1 points0 points ago

Here, here!

[–]XXVII27[S] 19 points20 points ago

my bad I don't know how but I had not seen this on reddit at all

[–]AkaSillyGirl 23 points24 points ago

Hey, I understand where you're coming from and it seems as though people forget that some people do not come across this stuff 50 million times, so still worth sharing if you happened across it the first time :) And I'm sure my comment will get downvoted, but I appreciated you posting...I had not seen it either.

[–]ewest -3 points-2 points ago

And I'm sure my comment will get downvoted

The easiest way to get your comment upvoted.

[–]AkaSillyGirl -1 points0 points ago

Why do people downvote your comment? I guess maybe they thought it snarky, but that is not how I read it...I read it as very honest/matter of fact, which I will upvote :-/ reddit voting confuses the all get out of me...tell me, ewest, have you tested this theory? I'm always curious if there is someone who has taken the time to see of such theories are true...I recall someone trying the comment "Fuck yeah" to everything and resulting in much upvoting.

[–]ewest 0 points1 point ago

Oh, not meant to be snarky at all. I was just saying it because it seems like every time someone says "I'm going to get downvoted for this..." it's like the top voted comment. Just like when all the swedes post comments saying "Sorry about my terrible English" and then they have better than English than the American commenters.

[–]TrippyVersion 1 point2 points ago

There, there little fellow, don't feel too bad now.

[–]tartcouplet 3 points4 points ago

You know what I do before I post something that I didn't make? I do a quick Reddit search for it. It only takes a second.

[–]kimwim42 6 points7 points ago

You know what? I am glad there are so many reposts. Because I am on Reddit every waking hour, even AT work, and I never have seen the posts that are derided as being reposts. This post? First time I've seen it. And I am glad XXV1127 posted it.

[–]AkaSillyGirl 0 points1 point ago*

There are always going to be new people to reddit who will not know to do that (but might learn later...took me a few weeks and I'm still learning), there will always be someone new who doesn't know the rules (I'm new and I'm still learning as well), and there will always be someone who has not come across a piece of information on here that is all over the place who will choose to post it b/c it fascinated him/her...I thought that was kinda the point to reddit? I don't get tired of the re-posts...it means someone just found out about whatever was reposted and being introduced to new information (even if it is just new to you) is not a bad thing.

EDIT: I'm upvoting your comment b/c while sarcastic, still informative (and I happen to be a big fan of sarcasm)...don't really get why people try to be so mean with up/downvotes...as if they are granting/denying astounding wonders with an up/down arrow....as I just did...by upvoting you...MUAHAHAHAHA :)

[–]tartcouplet 1 point2 points ago

I actually wasn't being altogether sarcastic... It was mostly meant as genuine advice for someone who hadn't thought of it and was upset at the response that comes from reposting. But, you know. That's a risk I took when I came to r/politics.

[–]AkaSillyGirl 0 points1 point ago

Hmm...well then my apologies for reading it that way. Hard to convey tones on here...and I think it is a risk you take just coming to reddit

[–]_Gingy -2 points-1 points ago

I saw it on Facebook. If it's on Facebook it came from 4chan/reddit/9gag.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]Metalheadzaid -2 points-1 points ago

Seriously. Here's a quick rule of thumb:

Did you make it?

Yes: post it

No: it's a repost

[–]AkaSillyGirl 0 points1 point ago

Made me think of this...teehee: http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/104359/i-mean-come-on

[–]dannothemanno -2 points-1 points ago

Is the downvote button broken?

[–]XXVII27[S] 16 points17 points ago

I found this on facebook with everyone bitching about Obama. Then I stopped and though wait a tic were gas prices at a record high not 6 months before. checked YUP in august 2008 the price was DROPPING to $3.74 a gallon on the national average. http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2008/08/gas-prices-2.html So incase you have forgotten here is a little reminder.

[–][deleted] 37 points38 points ago

To be fair, the Republican economic policies probably would lead to lower gas prices. Gas prices generally decline amid total economic collapse. Like January 2009.

[–]SandwichTsunami 2 points3 points ago

Gas hasn't been that cheap since 2002.

[–]sockpuppetzero 1 point2 points ago

It was very briefly that cheap in 2008-2009 because the economic catastrophe temporarily destroyed American's demand for gasoline.

But of course the economic catastrophe is all Obama's fault, amirite?

But seriously, we give too much credit to presidents for the state of the economy, for good and for ill.

[–]SandwichTsunami 1 point2 points ago

Where was this? In 2008 gasoline was hovering around $3 in New England. Not that I doubt you, but I would love to know where this was.

[–]sockpuppetzero 0 points1 point ago

Yeah, most of the year gas was hovering around $3, then (at least in my area, the Midwest) the price collapsed in December and January.

[–]clinchknot 2 points3 points ago

“No one ever lost money in this world by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.” H.L. Mencken; 1880-1956. Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points ago

Yes.

[–]XXVII27[S] 3 points4 points ago

Damn it I was afraid of that.

[–]His_Dudeship 3 points4 points ago

Another spectacular example of short term memory disorder among republicans. In early 2008, gas was over $4 a gallon - did they blame Bush at that point?

[–]prider 0 points1 point ago

Hey, he is a white President

/just using Republican logic to think

[–]binaryecho 6 points7 points ago

rednecks. lol.

[–]jamesmech 1 point2 points ago

yes! many of us are.

[–]bossoline 1 point2 points ago

Are we really that stupid?

Yes we (collectively) are. People think that the next guy will do better. Like last time. And the time before that. And the time before that. And the time before that...

[–]Sysiphuslove 8 points9 points ago

RAWN PAWL!

[–]lightninghand 1 point2 points ago

When you compare gas prices with inflation, they're still not as high now as they were in the 80's. Do research before you downvote me.

[–]MsSheepie 1 point2 points ago

The funny thing is, gas prices really did get that low (however briefly.) Proof. Click 4 years, and notice the large drop. The funnier thing is, the drop occurred around the inauguration day, so it would seem Obama's presidency actually caused the drop if people are actually stupid enough to think that the president can significantly influence the price of gas in such a short amount of time. People isolate facts to serve their own ends, without considering the trend. Sad, really.

[–]diMario 1 point2 points ago

Are we really that stupid?

Yes, and half of you are even more stupid than that.

[–]turistainc 1 point2 points ago

So we're choosing our president based on gas prices? What are we? Wal-Mart?

[–]nytelife 2 points3 points ago

To answer OP. Yes. Resoundingly yes, we are absolutely that stupid. Especially in the bible belt. Go figure.

[–]anotheritguy 0 points1 point ago

Unfortunately some are

[–]DarlingmyDarling 0 points1 point ago

I've only been driving since 2005 and gas has never been that low for me.

[–]AkaSillyGirl 0 points1 point ago

56 downvotes as of now seems to indicate at least 56 are saying "yes"...or maybe they thought downvoting meant saying "no?"

[–]sysop073 3 points4 points ago

56 downvotes as of now seems to indicate that reposting this 30 times is pushing it

[–]AkaSillyGirl 0 points1 point ago

117 points as of now seems to indicate otherwise.

[–]tartcouplet 1 point2 points ago

Statistically, it's definitely possible. Probably also some of them recognized the false dichotomy.

[–]ZeeScarlet 0 points1 point ago

If ever something deserved a reddit rage face....

[–]rdsparks 0 points1 point ago

Yes

[–]mr_kamiya 0 points1 point ago

I forgot Obama controls the gas prices. And that gas prices have actually ever been that low since what, 2001?

[–]sohautrightnow 0 points1 point ago

I'd very much like to condense this: http://visual.ly/why-do-gas-prices-fluctuate

into a smaller inforgraphic, alongside a picture of Obama that says, "Meaning: It has nothing to do with this guy."

[–]alaughinmoose 0 points1 point ago

I'd like some of that gas, please. About $4.40 for regular.

[–]FriedMattato 0 points1 point ago

I'm pretty sure gas was well over $2 when Obama was sworn in. I remember it very well because gas prices started skyrocketing shortly after I graduated high school in '06.

[–]mindbleach 0 points1 point ago

Yes. Trying to explain that this is wrong without being able to truthfully say that it's lying is too complex for some people. The fact that gas crashed below $2 after almost a year of climbing from $3 to $4 will slide from one ear to the other without touching anything in between. Nothing short of a hammer to the skull could beak their confirmation bias.

[–]goofzilla 0 points1 point ago

One of my marketing professors told the class, that after 40 years in the business, the most important thing he learned was "to never underestimate the stupidity of the American public."

[–]geehak 0 points1 point ago

God, I hate that folksy tone.

[–]wahwahwildcat 0 points1 point ago

Saw this on facebook the other day, had to remind my friend he's getting his political advice from a post it note at a gas station.

[–]josh024 0 points1 point ago

Remember when you all blamed Bush for the economy? Are you really that stupid? Yeah, this game goes both ways.

[–]Molsenator 0 points1 point ago

I don't remember that.

I do remember that that time frame was when gas prices were just about starting to fall to under $4.00 a gallon, though.

[–]kinglewy00 0 points1 point ago

You only pay that much for gas/petrol and she's complaining. Joke.

[–]iamfromouterspace 0 points1 point ago

yes, yes and more yes.

[–][deleted] ago*

[deleted]

[–]Iamdarb 1 point2 points ago

Uhhh is that true? I started driving in 2003-4 and has was only 1.16 at the time. Then shit got real at 4.00 a gallon.

[–]lightninghand 1 point2 points ago

Incorrect. Dubyah.

[–]KadlerDraven 0 points1 point ago

Right before 9/11, right?

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]asdjrocky 8 points9 points ago

What the fuck does that even mean?

[–]dac69[!] 2 points3 points ago

Sheetz is a gas station mini mart chain common south of New York. He is claiming that he reads bathroom stalls to figure out how to vote.

[–]swampskater 1 point2 points ago

He's now tagged as such.

[–]kimwim42 5 points6 points ago

mimurph1 crapped in his bed again.

[–]asdjrocky 4 points5 points ago

Oh I get it now, thank you.

[–]peadith -1 points0 points ago

about as much as the original post

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