More than half of Americans read at a middle school grade level or lower. Around a half of those are at a elementary school level.
Just over 10% read at a level 11th grade or higher level. Which is shocking given that over half of Americans have some level of college education. Americans are educated but not well educate.
It's common to blame the education system but given how wide spread the problem it is far more likely it is a cultural failure and most Americans lack the qualifications to evaluate this issue (or any issue) but flap their jaws about it anyway.
Down paymeny? No. He had to have rolled over negative equity into the loan.