The television news programs, and to only a slightly lesser degree the financial news programs, continuously insult intelligence by elevating truly bizarre people to expert status. Their vague, groping answers and unfounded opinions then become “information.”

I recently saw an interview with a fellow who makes his living selling hot tips about which teams to wager on to fools recruited with ads in, of all places, Forbes and Robb Report. The show sought out this gadfly presidential candidate and self-published, self-help author for his opinions on the bail-outs and the economy. Another show highlighted the thoughts on global warming and the world economy from a ditzy actress who has never done anything much but act ditzy. Can’t we do better than this?

We have an embarrassment of media riches ideal for useful public debate, intelligent discussion and dissemination of useful information. They are almost entirely wasted -- dumbed down to the equal of “The Hills.” Talking heads are replaced with yelling heads uncomfortably close to pro wrestler-cartoon characters from the Vince McMahon stable.

Just entertainment. You can cringe just as badly at FNN as at CW. “The Girls Next Door” seems less and less silly compared to five financial doofuses arguing aimlessly over the bottom of the housing market.

So here’s a New Years Resolution for our friends in the media: fewer unqualified experts, less wild speculation, more legitimate and even useful information.