I don't know. The rules seem to revolve around simplicity in communication. I've always found it powerful that, although every member of the US Armed Forces is expected to have a 12th grade level of knowledge, all of our military manuals are written to a 7th grade level.
Choosing simplicity is not necessarily degrading. Speaking to people with the same kindness, conscientiousness, and simplicity exemplified by Mr. Rogers' brand might not be such a bad thing.
This isn't to disagree with your points. I agree that American adults ought to have facility with communication that falls outside of these ideals, and I don't think these edicts would obviate any or all of the problems we have today. But I do think there's a reason to value such communication, and it would be interesting to see it applied to the communication of public affairs.
Choosing simplicity is not necessarily degrading. Speaking to people with the same kindness, conscientiousness, and simplicity exemplified by Mr. Rogers' brand might not be such a bad thing.
This isn't to disagree with your points. I agree that American adults ought to have facility with communication that falls outside of these ideals, and I don't think these edicts would obviate any or all of the problems we have today. But I do think there's a reason to value such communication, and it would be interesting to see it applied to the communication of public affairs.