[clue-talk] Would you pass the U.S. citizenship test?

[Dennis J Perkins]

Some of the questions aren't worthwhile for becoming a citizen.  Knowing
that the speaker of the House is third in line?  The number of
amendments?  There are more important things that should be asked
instead of trivia.

On Sat, 2007-09-29 at 12:57 -0600, Sean LeBlanc wrote:
> On 09-28 22:22, Kevin Cullis wrote:
> > How many of you got this test right?
> > 
> > http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na- 
> > immigrationquiz,1,324837.triviaquiz?coll=la-news-a_section
> 
> I saw a lot point-counterpoints about having more of what is called
> "Biblical literacy" among the general population. While I think that has
> merits - along with along types of literacy, of course, like stressing
> critical thinking, learning how to learn, scientific literacy, etc.
> 
> However, I recently saw something that I think most people could agree on,
> and that's a Constitutional literacy. That way more people would have a
> firmer understanding of what the goals and drivers of the founding of this
> country truly was. That would include the Constitution, Declaration of
> Independence, Bill of Rights, Tom Paine's writings, etc. And far more
> important than remember facts and figures and dates, the how and the why and
> what the push and pull was politically.
> 
> And if not for just the general citizens, it should be done for our
> politicians. If John Q Public comes across the border and gets citizenship
> and doesn't know much about the country, that's far less damaging than
> someone in power with the same lack of knowledge and/or outright
> disinformation. 
> 
> Politicians should be quizzed at every turn by the media, during debates,
> constituents, etc. about the Constitution. I would be very much in favor of
> a test being given to anyone serving the public - that way, they would not
> be so quick to make outrageous statements that should get laughed out of the
> room. Instead, we have goofy litmus tests given in other ways that I've
> given my opinion about...people are far more concerned about a politician's
> metaphysical beliefs than they are about their understanding of this
> country.  
> 
>