Shameful
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_060090843.html
(sorry, eblogger's ability to embed links doesnt seem to work real well at the moment)
"A survey released Wednesday showcases a bit of data that should surprise nobody: Americans know more about "The Simpsons" than they do about the 1st Amendment.
The study, conducted by the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, focuses on the 1st Amendment and found that less than one percent of the respondents could identify the five protected rights: freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and to petition the government."
Okay...granted it was a survey of 1000 people. There are some 260(?) million people in the US. So it is hardly a complete sample. Also it doesnt specify whether those folks surveyed were US born citizens, naturalized citizens or illegal/resident aliens. Nevertheless, it isnt beyond the pale to believe that only a tiny fraction of US citizens know much about our own government and history. Shit, I bet a poll of naturalized citizens would find a much higher rate of people who would be able to spot that the last one noted in the atrticle is incomplete.
But how much you wanna bet that folks who know next to nothing about their government feel qualified to criticize that same government?
(sorry, eblogger's ability to embed links doesnt seem to work real well at the moment)
"A survey released Wednesday showcases a bit of data that should surprise nobody: Americans know more about "The Simpsons" than they do about the 1st Amendment.
The study, conducted by the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, focuses on the 1st Amendment and found that less than one percent of the respondents could identify the five protected rights: freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and to petition the government."
Okay...granted it was a survey of 1000 people. There are some 260(?) million people in the US. So it is hardly a complete sample. Also it doesnt specify whether those folks surveyed were US born citizens, naturalized citizens or illegal/resident aliens. Nevertheless, it isnt beyond the pale to believe that only a tiny fraction of US citizens know much about our own government and history. Shit, I bet a poll of naturalized citizens would find a much higher rate of people who would be able to spot that the last one noted in the atrticle is incomplete.
But how much you wanna bet that folks who know next to nothing about their government feel qualified to criticize that same government?
posted by Z at
7:56 AM
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