Grade-Level Speaking

Of Hawaii’s four members of Congress, who do you think speaks most intelligently?

Sen. Akaka: First

A recent analysis by the Sunlight Foundation in Washington, D.C. turns the spotlight on U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, soon to be retired. According to the Sunlight group, Sen. Akaka is in the top five Congressional members.

He speaks at a college sophomore level.

Next comes U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who speaks at a college freshman level.

Rep. Hanabusa: Last

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono speaks at a high school senior level, and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa comes in last, speaking at the level of a high school freshman.

Guess we know who paid the most attention in English and diction classes, or at least, who’s had more experience with public speaking, don’t we?

For comparison, Pres. Barack Obama’s State of the Union address this year was at the eighth-grade level, which is about the same as the typical American.

And if most people can’t understand what the U.S. Constitution says and what it stands for, that’s because it’s written at a master’s degree level. No wonder Americans have trouble respecting the rights of their fellow citizens.