I was teasing you. I don't have a problem with anyone discussing politics. That would be a double standard on my part.

I was really just remarking on you treating the article a bit too serious. I mean what exactly where you expecting? Large surveys? Quotes of prior research?

If you are looking for a serious report, the closes you can get is probably: Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies.

https://www.oecd.org/skills/piaac/

It could be argued that the US should have done better on this study given how wealthy the country is and prevalence of higher education. Elite universities etc.