A few posts ago I brought up the idea that the 'masses' being involved in the new Obama administration via new technologies might not be a great idea. That the Founding Fathers may have been on to something when they wanted a buffer between the people who run our country and true, no-holds-barred democracy. Here is some proof.
From "Our Fading Heritage" based on questionnaires from 2006 & 2007:
- Each year, approximately 14,000 freshmen and seniors at 50 schools nationwide were given a 60-question, multiple-choice exam on basic knowledge of America’s heritage. Both years, the students failed. The average freshman scored 51.7% the first year and 51.4% the next. The average senior scored 53.2%, then 54.2%. After all the time, effort, and money spent on college, students emerge no better off in understanding the fundamental features of American self-government.
- Liberals score 49%; conservatives score 48%. Republicans score 52%; Democrats score 45%.
- Fewer than half of all Americans can name all three branches of government, a minimal requirement for understanding America’s constitutional system.
- Only 24% of college graduates know the First Amendment prohibits establishing an official religion for the United States.
- Only 54% can correctly identify a basic description of the free enterprise system, in which all Americans participate.
- Thirty percent of elected officials do not know that “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are the inalienable rights referred to in the Declaration of Independence.
Are you more knowledgeable than the average citizen? The average score for all 2,508 Americans taking the following test was 49%; college educators scored 55%. Can you do better? Questions were drawn from past ISI surveys, as well as other nationally recognized exams. Want to see how you stack up? Take the survey HERE
(In case you're wondering, I scored a 90.4%)Post sponsored by Quality-Resumes.
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