American Leaders

[BananaEvasion]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081120/od_afp/ushistoryeducationoffbeat_081120192450;_ ylt=ApzDIiz4LAtTnzAxXiIqxgygOrgF

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US elected officials scored abysmally on a test measuring their civic knowledge, with an average grade of just 44 percent, the group that organized the exam said Thursday.

Ordinary citizens did not fare much better, scoring just 49 percent correct on the 33 exam questions compiled by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI).

"It is disturbing enough that the general public failed ISI's civic literacy test, but when you consider the even more dismal scores of elected officials, you have to be concerned," said Josiah Bunting, chairman of the National Civic Literacy Board at ISI.

"How can political leaders make informed decisions if they don't understand the American experience?" he added.

The exam questions covered American history, the workings of the US government and economics.

Among the questions asked of some 2,500 people who were randomly selected to take the test, including "self-identified elected officials," was one which asked respondents to "name two countries that were our enemies during World War II."

Sixty-nine percent of respondents correctly identified Germany and Japan. Among the incorrect answers were Britain, China, Russia, Canada, Mexico and Spain.

Forty percent of respondents, meanwhile, incorrectly believed that the US president has the power to declare war, while 54 percent correctly answered that that power rests with Congress.

Asked about the electoral college, 20 percent of elected officials incorrectly said it was established to "supervise the first televised presidential debates."

In fact, the system of choosing the US president via an indirect electoral college vote dates back some 220 years, to the US Constitution.

The question that received the fewest correct responses, just 16 percent, tested respondents' basic understanding of economic principles, asking why "free markets typically secure more economic prosperity than government's centralized planning?"

Activities that dull Americans' civic knowledge include talking on the phone and watching movies or television -- even news shows and documentaries, ISI said.

Meanwhile, civic knowledge is enhanced by discussing public affairs, taking part in civic activities and reading about current events and history, the group said.

"The question that received the fewest correct responses, just 16 percent, tested respondents' basic understanding of economic principles, asking why "free markets typically secure more economic prosperity than government's centralized planning?""

Now that part can be very easily related to many of you here heh.

[Paganini]

A) Americans have the government that they deserve

B) Where can I take this test?

[DocGonzo]

and who did the (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercollegiate_Studies_Institute)"test"?

no...no biased political Agenda there....nah...

lol

i would like to see the actual test and the hard numbers, rather than what's spewed in the "VNR" style piece of fluff

but it's late, and if i'm still curious, i will dig it up tomorrow for a look see...

[Paganini]

Found the test - http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx

I got 31/33. I demand public office.

[Ghostpaw]

I got 29 out of 33.

[LordTenacious]

I got 33 out of 33. Suck it.

[Dimgo]

You answered 22 out of 33 correctly — 66.67 %

But im a not a american hahhaah

[Callaen]

We are circling the drain folks...

[Paganini]

We are circling the drain folks...

nah cmon why would an American need to know how we declare war. Doesn't sound too important to me

[Callaen]

A) Americans have the government that they deserve

True my friend, sad, but true.. I do not know what these people are thinking but they are not my thoughts. We are in deep doo doo and will be lucky if we pull out.

[Zornath]

Managed 30 of 33.

[Temet nosce]

31/33

Bah, I actually figured I'd get them all right.

[Salaman]

32/33, missed the "government of the people, for the people, by the people" quote question.

[Vanno]

What a crock of shit. I seriously doubt the scores were really that low. I'm half asleep and got 32/33

[Devant]

26/33... And I am not even an American :D

[Nevron]

Sure are a lot of liars in this thread, that or people that used google to get their answers.

[Temet nosce]

Sure are a lot of liars in this thread, that or people that used google to get their answers.

I wouldn't be surprised if one or two people lied, that's normal. On the other hand, for once I also wouldn't be surprised if they didn't.

That wasn't a difficult test, by any definition of the term.

[Ozzy Wrong]

Sure are a lot of liars in this thread, that or people that used google to get their answers.

Tell that to the T-mobile G1 with google!

[Lethn]

At least we have the sense to actually fucking look up what we don't understand.

Among the incorrect answers were Britain

WTF?! There are assholes in America that actually consider US to be their enemy? We're the closest fucking ally they've every had!

[Paganini]

At least we have the sense to actually fucking look up what we don't understand.



WTF?! There are assholes in America that actually consider US to be their enemy? We're the closest fucking ally they've every had!

France is cooler than u dudes

[Nevron]

At least we have the sense to actually fucking look up what we don't understand.

That's irrelevant to what I said.

It's different when you're going "rofl 33/33 and i'z not evens amaricun!" when you've gotta look the shit up.

[LordTenacious]

I didn't look shit up so fuck you. Honestly, that test is e to the z.

[Montenegro]

At least we have the sense to actually fucking look up what we don't understand.



WTF?! There are assholes in America that actually consider US to be their enemy? We're the closest fucking ally they've every had!

The people who responded with that answer meant they wished we had been at war with Britain...

I've met a number of Britishers in my life, and the only non-arrogant, non-snob ones were trying to become US citizens.

Check British opinion of the US, then ask yourself why Americans would not reciprocate that feeling.

[Lethn]

That's irrelevant to what I said.

It's different when you're going "rofl 33/33 and i'z not evens amaricun!" when you've gotta look the shit up.

If it's any comfort, I'm doing the test without using google, will show my score in a minute.

Also, when I see U.S. Bases out of every country in the world then I'll start respecting you guys more, I'm not a fan of imperialism myself, plus I don't really consider myself a citizen of ANY country forget the U.K.

lol 15/33 I don't know much about American history >_>.

[Nevron]

I didn't look shit up so fuck you. Honestly, that test is e to the z.

Don't be so defensive, you just gave it away. Fuckstain.

If it's any comfort, I'm doing the test without using google, will show my score in a minute.

Also, when I see U.S. Bases out of every country in the world then I'll start respecting you guys more, I'm not a fan of imperialism myself, plus I don't really consider myself a citizen of ANY country forget the U.K.

lol 15/33 I don't know much about American history >_>.

I'm not a huge fan of imperialism either, and I'm with ya on that we need to reduce the number of foreign posts we have. I don't necessarily think we need to revert back to isolationism, though.

[Lethn]

I'm not a huge fan of imperialism either, and I'm with ya on that we need to reduce the number of foreign posts we have. I don't necessarily think we need to revert back to isolationism, though.

Obviously not isolationism but I think the majority of you are a bunch of idiots for not questioning why Ron Paul got blocked out by the media and not vote for him. He pretty much had the exact kind of policy that I entirely agree with for governing a country.

[LordTenacious]

I'll take the stupid test again.

Starting now.

[Montenegro]

Obviously not isolationism but I think the majority of you are a bunch of idiots for not questioning why Ron Paul got blocked out by the media and not vote for him. He pretty much had the exact kind of policy that I entirely agree with for governing a country.

You do realize that we Americans are being replaced by our government right? It's called electing a new people.

Why else do you think our politicians stand up there in front of the camera and tell us how good it is to have endless waves of millions upon millions of foreigners coming into our country. Foreigners that for the most part hate us. And live on our taxes. You see it in the flight of about a million US citizens from California annually. Thats what the UN calls ethnic cleansing.

What the fuck good would it do to talk about Ron Paul? We know the elections are rigged. Everything is fucking rigged. God damn America Mr. Wright? He's going to get his wish, but not in the way he'd like.

[Nevron]

Obviously not isolationism but I think the majority of you are a bunch of idiots for not questioning why Ron Paul got blocked out by the media and not vote for him. He pretty much had the exact kind of policy that I entirely agree with for governing a country.

I honestly think Ron Paul would have been a sound leader had we not already been stretched abroad and involved in conflict.

I agreed with his views, but I questioned his ability to take the reigns given the current situation. Now if we weren't committed in Iraq and Afghanistan and there were no current conflicts, then he would have had my vote.

[LordTenacious]

Done! Screenies incoming.

Edit: I suck (http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/Sleo111/quiz1.jpg).

[BladeSLicer]

Found the test - http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx

I got 31/33. I demand public office.

Does that not make you unfit for office? i believe you were meant to score somewhere closer to 15!

Don't have my vote, that's for sure.

[Nevron]

Done! Screenies incoming.

Edit: I suck (http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/Sleo111/quiz1.jpg).

Nobody that uses IE can score 33/33 without help.

[Threven]

Done! Screenies incoming.

Edit: I suck (http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/Sleo111/quiz1.jpg).

You do know that you can retake the test as much as you want till you get all the answers right, so why bother taking a picture?

I got 23/33

[Silverhandorder]

I got 27 out of 33

Question #7 - D. Gettysburg Address
Question #14 - B. stressed the sinfulness of all humanity
Question #27 - A. the price system utilizes more local knowledge of means and ends
Question #29 - B. a resident can benefit from it without directly paying for it
Question #30 - C. decreasing taxes and increasing spending
Question #33 - D. tax per person equals government spending per person

The first three I went like O__O. The next three questions are subject to interpretation.

[Filip]

Yay I passed! Good thing they gave the answer to the second question away a bit further in the test!


Random Question:
Which of the following fiscal policy combinations would a government most likely follow to stimulate economic activity when the economy is in a severe recession?

The spending part, does that mean by the government, by the people, or by both?

[Patrician]

What a crock of shit. I seriously doubt the scores were really that low. I'm half asleep and got 32/33

I guess they didn't do the multiple-choice version but had to write down the answer themselves.

Btw.: 72%, not that bad if you're not American.

[LordTenacious]

Yay I passed! Good thing they gave the answer to the second question away a bit further in the test!


Random Question:
Which of the following fiscal policy combinations would a government most likely follow to stimulate economic activity when the economy is in a severe recession?

The spending part, does that mean by the government, by the people, or by both?

The government.

[Spinewire]

Meh 55%

Then again i'm from the UK and what little knowledge i do have about the US comes from reading your posts.

[Filip]

The government.

Thanks.

Now I feel bad for answering that question wrong.

[Kietharr]

27/33, it was mostly the historical questions that got me. For some reason I missed a few that I by all means should have gotten, /facepalmed when I saw what I got wrong, just woke up like 15 minutes ago though.

[surGeonFFS]

I scored 24/33

I'm not an American though so I missed most of the American history questions. Sick how bad the scoring average on the capitalism VS centralized planning is. Makes me want to nuke America, move in and kill the survivors and then nuke it again.

[gtechie]

I got 26/33, meh.

[Kinsari]

29/33

I'll take an 88%.

[Crying Hyena]

I don't doubt the scores here on forumfall by the people posting as most everyone posting their scores here on the thread have participate in deep debate about policies before. Also I don't doubt the scores of the average American either. Someone who is more preoccupied with with which celebrity was wearing what outfit and had sex with which person etc, doesn't care. That is not ingrained into them because it's been viewed as not needed.

[Paganini]

I got 27 out of 33

Question #7 - D. Gettysburg Address
Question #14 - B. stressed the sinfulness of all humanity
Question #27 - A. the price system utilizes more local knowledge of means and ends
Question #29 - B. a resident can benefit from it without directly paying for it
Question #30 - C. decreasing taxes and increasing spending
Question #33 - D. tax per person equals government spending per person

The first three I went like O__O. The next three questions are subject to interpretation.

yeah i still think #33 is bs

[Bissen]

The title of this thread is pretty much self-contradictory.