They are then shown pictures of Paris Hilton or asked to identify a current popular TV jingle. How about, what are the ingredients in a Mojito? You guessed it. Bingo. Right every time.
Perhaps you have heard about the new citizenship test, to be implemented next fall. There has been quite a buzz about it on NPR and on the news shows. With much fanfare, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service recently announced the introduction of a redesigned naturalization test. Trumpeted as a great improvement over the old examination, the new format will "focus on the concepts of democracy and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship." Some critics and immigrants' rights advocates have complained that the new citizenship test is too demanding, asking questions that nearly all Americans, whether native born or naturalized, would be hard-pressed to answer.
Below is a sample of the questions. Can your teen answer them?
*Can You?.*
1. What type of economic system does the U.S. have?
2. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
3. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
4. Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the military?
5. Name one thing only the federal government can do.
6. Name our three major enemies during WWII
7. Name one responsibility that is only for United States citizens.
8. When was the Constitution drafted?
9. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
10. Which U.S. World War II general later became President?
11. Name the 13 original states
12 Name one right or freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment.
13. From the following choices, which type of government best described the U.S.?
Monarchy,republic, socialist, democracy?
14. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death"?
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1.Answer: Capitalist economy or Free market or, Market economy
2.Answer: Six years
3. Answer: 435 members
4.Answer: The President
5. Answer: Print money or Declare war or Create an army or Make treaties
6.Answer: Japan, Germany and Italy
7. Answer: Vote or Serve on a jury
8. Answer: 1787
9. Answer: The Native Americans or American Indians
10.Answer: Dwight Eisenhower
11.Answer: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Caroline and Virginia
12. Answer: Freedom of Speech, Assembly, Religion and to Petition the Government
13. Answer: Republic
14. Answer: Patrick Henry
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If we forget what we have done, we will forget who we are, warned Ronald Reagan in his Farewell Address. America: The Last Best Hope by William Bennett, responds to Reagan's heartfelt call for an informed patriotism. All of us need to know more about this land we love and the people who have made it possible for us to lead free and happy lives. America as the last best hope, comes from Lincoln's second message to Congress. He used that phrase when things looked far bleaker than they do today. Lincoln never lost faith in America, this last best hope of earth . Nor should we.
How can we expect the next generation to continue this place we call America if they don't know what it is? If young citizens don't understand this grand experiment our forefathers envisioned; how can our government, "By the People and For the People" be protected and preserved?
When information is assimilated on MTV and through People Magazine, intelligent debate goes out the window. Life as we know it, Liberty as we expect it and the Pursuit of Happiness is not just a given. Ask men and women who have served our country. Ask men and women outside our borders who see us as the promised land. Ask those who wish to take our way of life away. Our children must see that American citizenship is not only a privilege, it is a responsibility.
9 comments:
Chrissie, I completely agree with you about the citizenship aspect. I have thought about this a great deal, since September was Constitution Month and it seemed to pass by with nary a nod.
Our generation has a different attitude culled from bomb drills, fallout shelters, the Cold War, witnessing the building and tearing down of the Berlin Wall, and a myriad of other experiences that pitted American democracy against communism. Even literature - Fahrenheit 451, Animal Farm or 1984 - often had as its base the terrors of communism or totalitarianism. Stalin was still fresh in people's minds, as well as Mao and the Cultural Revolution and the "re-education" camps.
But, the significance of all that has fallen by the wayside. Big Brother's cameras are everywhere, as Orwell predicted, and everyone is content, maybe even anesthetized - it's hard to tell.
But as C said in her response to the previous blog, there are plenty of caring young people out there.
But Mel, this generation has 9/11 and a whole culture who wants to destroy Western Civilization. Pearl Harbor was as close as the then enemy got in the 40's.
Chrissie, I know that and you know that, but I don't think they (the kids) know that or even care. That's what I meant about their/our being anesthetized. That is what really frightens me. People are just accepting it - all of it, bad manners, cameras, rude people - with an "oh well, what can I do" attitude.
It is somewhat of a two-edged sword, though, isn't it? The cameras started appearing long before 9/11. In the halls of inner city schools - in banks - on school buses - in the convenience store. Now they are on top of traffic lights and at the Pike Pass terminals, almost all schools that can afford them, mall parking lots, Wal Mart, they are everywhere, not protecting us from people who want to destroy Western civilization, but from us!!
Because our progeny (and evidently just people in general, although you rarely read about someone our age causing any problems - it may just be our age) cannot do the right thing, we have slowly had our freedoms taken away, rather than set a standard we expect people to live up to. Maybe people have never lived up to a standard, I don't know. Maybe it just seems like there was a standard in the past. I think I remember a time when we had anti-litter campaigns and people mowed their lawns, and you could leave your door unlocked on your car or your house. Maybe it is just a figment of my imagination or nostalgia. Do you remember that we left our coats and letter jackets hanging on open racks at MHS and no one stole them????? That's not a figment of my imagination.
I am longing not for a golden past, but for a golden future in which the majority of the people can do the right thing again without being watched. We just have very low expectations of our citizenry, even though it may be for a good cause (not shaming people, preserving self esteem, honoring diversity, it's all good, etc.). This is a very complex issue and I am way longer than I intended.
I see where you are going...it's that moral compass we hear so much about...it's demagnatized and spinning madly, around and around. And since there is no direction, designated and powerful people who think they know the way are making the calls. The question is, are they wise and just or could that power and privilege corrupt and take away our rights? History supports that assertion.
"They've got to be carefully taught....." can go both ways. News yesterday, the grandfather was caught on one of those infamous cameras putting a designer bag in his grandaughter's shirt. What do you suppose he was saying to her as he stuffed the stolen handbag down her Garanimals?
"They have lots of these. Won't hurt the store to let us have one. We can sell it and buy a bottle of Old Charter, smokes and an Icee for you sweetheart."
Just as an aside......our city is attempting to spruce up it's image. Every single "Glad to be an Okie from Muskogee" article mentions that as a priority. Let's support our mayor and city council in abolishing portable signs. It's important. Merchants. We will still support you. We promise!!
I promise we are not all "anesthetized." I agree though that there are many people out there who seem to be. Here at school we know all too well that Freedom doesn't come free, but we're still willing to give whatever it takes to keep it. I would say that 80% of my classmates are here because of 9/11. We know there are plenty of people out there who don't care and because of that we work harder every day trying to make a difference. I know this doesn't hold true everywhere, but as long as someone is striving to make a difference there is hope for the future of America.
p.s. Mrs. Carey, I'm a him not a her;)
Oh goodness, C!!! I couldn't tell if you were the C in Norman or the C at the Academy!! Of course, I think the world of both of you C's!!!
I agree that as long as there are people striving to make a difference we can hold on and I thank God there are good people like you who want to try. And your classmates. My question is, how much harder can you work? Why can't we all get up to speed? I just don't think we should settle for anything less for our country. We have been settling for too long now.
Love you, C!!! Keep writing us comments and keeping us straight!
Chrissie, you were reading my mind. I had it in my response, but erased it - everyday I walk down to 12th St. and pick up sacks of trash - gatoraide bottles, beer cans, McDonalds sacks. I can't understand why this is happening, except for lack of citizenship and responsibility for oneself. I don't buy the poverty thing anymore - I know plenty of poor people who have pride and keep their lawns mowed. It's our expectations. They are too low. For whatever reason or however good they may be, our expectations for our quality of life are too low. Lots and lots of good people have tried and will continue trying to fix it, but it has to spread out to the mindset of the general populace, too. Wren has worked very hard and so have many people at City Hall and in foundations and non-profits. I hope it works!!
I knew who you were C! I love it that you read us way up there with all those Yankees!!!
I don't have a doubt that you and your classmates are committed, engaged and informed. Just remember, your environment and compatriots are a very small segment of the population in your age bracket. That ripple in a pond effect really has to happen with those of you who can address issues honestly, assimilate information factually and formulate workable and positive solutions.
Youngest is excited about coming up for the big game!!! C
It's time for citizens to force politicians to be honest, to put aside party issues and agendas, and to join together to do what is best for our country as a whole.
We are all fed up with this game they play, our money they spend indicriminatly and putting party before anything else. Not only is it incredibly frustrating and infuriating, ultimately these little men and women are putting our America in jeopardy.
APathy must stop, from all of us
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