Today’s Big Story

Constitutional Confusion

After some improvement, Americans’ knowledge of basic facts about their government has fallen

With less than two months to go before Election Day, it’s a good reminder that an informed electorate is essential for an effective democracy. We all think we know the basics about our country, its government and any relevant legislative procedures. But what if you were put to the test?

After two years of considerable improvement, Americans’ knowledge of some basic facts about the United States government has fallen to earlier levels, with less than half of those surveyed able to name the three branches of government for a new Constitution Day Civics Survey. (Did you know that today is Constitution Day?)

The Annenberg Public Policy Center’s annual, nationally representative survey showed notable increases in 2020 and 2021 after tumultuous years that put the role of government and the three branches under a media spotlight. In those two years, the survey was run amid a pandemic and government health restrictions, two impeachment inquiries, a presidential election, an attempt to disrupt congressional certification of the electoral vote, criminal trials of the individuals charged in the assault on the U.S. Capitol, and waves of social justice protests, among other events.

According to the Associated Press, a small but growing number of states have begun requiring students at publicly funded colleges to complete a civics requirement recently. That comes as polling indicates civics education is wildly popular across the political spectrum. Civics—the study of citizens’ rights and responsibilities—fosters a sense of unity, advocates say, and an ability to deal with disagreement. It empowers citizens, and many people believe it could help heal America’s divides. Having it in higher education means they can look at the issue in more sophisticated ways, perhaps weaving it into other classes.

Several political scientists, legal scholars and historians interviewed by The Washington Times warned that growing apathy could destabilize the nation as voters head to the polls this fall. “If people don’t appreciate their rights or the Constitution and institutions that protect them, the conditions seem ripe for democratic failure,” said Paul Brace, a political scientist at Rice University.

What We Know So Far …

About the gunman who may have been at Trump’s golf course for 12 hours

The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt against Donald Trump evidently spent nearly 12 hours in the bushes around the former president’s golf course before a Secret Service agent spotted his rifle and opened fire, according to a federal criminal complaint unsealed in Florida on Monday.

Authorities said the suspect did not fire a shot and never had a clear line of sight to shoot Trump. The Secret Service’s acting director, Ronald L. Rowe Jr., praised his agents’ actions—it was an agent that saw a gun poking out of the tree line near where Trump was golfing and fired in that direction—but conceded that there was no sweep of the course before the former president started his game. Some are saying that decision raises further questions about whether the Secret Service has the resources and ability to adequately perform its duties during a time of increasing violence and a unique campaign between a sitting vice president and a former president.

However, NBC News reports that by midday Monday, it was clear that Trump and his allies have no intention of dialing back on hot rhetoric. In a message posted to multiple social media platforms Monday, Trump accused his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, and President Joe Biden of taking “politics in our Country to a whole new level of Hatred.” He said their rhetoric is responsible for threats and violence against him—even though they routinely denounce political violence and did so on Sunday. In turning so fast to Biden and Harris, Trump skipped past appeals for sympathy and even a perfunctory call for calm or unity.

The Robotaxi Revolution Is Coming

Waymo is already on the Uber app, with two more cities coming online soon

Waymo and Uber—bitter enemies turned awkwardly polite work friends—announced they were expanding their two-year robotaxi partnership to two new American cities: Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, starting early next year. This isn’t Uber’s only driverless partner: Last month, they announced a partnership with Cruise.

According to The Verge, Waymo currently operates its own Waymo One ridehail service in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles; it recently hit the milestone of operating 100,000 rides each week in all three cities. Studies have shown that Waymo has better customer retention than human-powered ridehail services like Uber and Lyft.

Of course, the robotaxi business is challenging thanks to restrictions on where the vehicles can travel and the costs incurred by expensive hardware. Human-driven services like Uber and Lyft have no such limitations. And customers can be fickle, quick to switch to another service that promises shorter wait times and fewer limits on where they can travel. But Cnet reports that Waymo unveiled the sixth generation of its self-driving technology last month, which aims to expand the capabilities of its driverless fleet. Smarter sensors will help the cars better navigate in extreme weather. And they may soon get approval to drive on highways and freeways, which will also make them easier to book for rides to the airport, etc.

Pumpkin Spice Goes Too Hard This Year

You thought we were already at peak pumpkin? Think again.

The Autumnal Equinox arrives this weekend, but as anyone who’s been shopping lately will tell you, fall is already here—in the form of pumpkin spice EVERYTHING. You might’ve thought that we were already at peak pumpkin spice. What more could those warm baking spices and sweet gourd-y goodness be added to? Beer and coffee is one thing, cookies and cakes make sense, but pumpkin spice continues to expand its purview.

As VinePair’s Pete O’Connell revealed, Trader Joe’s has answered the question, “What if you added pumpkin spice to a Chardonnay?” I don’t think anyone was really asking this, but the beloved grocer describes it as made using “a blend of lightly oaked, California Chardonnay wine, delicately sweet Chardonnay grape juice, and a touch of natural Pumpkin Spice flavoring.” Your reaction to that combination is probably a good sign of whether or not you’re the target audience for it.

Then again, at least it’s edible. Food & Wine reports that Hefty just dropped Cinnamon Pumpkin Spice Ultra Strong trash bags. It’s the perfect complement to your Pumpkin Spice-Scented Kitty Litter, which is also apparently a thing. Along with this oddly homemade-looking Pumpkin Spice toilet paper that’s selling on Amazon.

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