I think this is a good idea. The more you know, the better citizen you’ll be. Now if we could only get more of those here illegally to take the test and get legal…
U.S. to unveil new citizenship questions
The government wants to make the citizenship test for immigrants more meaningful, requiring a better understanding of America’s history and government institutions. No longer would it be sufficient to know the three branches of government (executive, legislative and judicial). Applicants could also be asked why there are three branches of government.
The government on Thursday was to unveil 144 draft questions that it plans to try out on immigrant applicants in 10 cities where it is testing a new citizenship exam. Citizenship and Immigration Services planned to post the questions on its Web site at noon Thursday.
[…]
The redesign is aimed at making sure applicants know the meaning behind some of America’s fundamental institutions, Rhatigan said.
Another possible question would delve into the history of the Civil War. Applicants are now asked, What was the Emancipation Proclamation?
Current applicants need to know that it freed the slaves. In the future, however, prospective citizens will need to have a deeper understanding of the Civil War and name one of the problems that led to it.
Acceptable answers could include slavery, economics or states’ rights, Rhatigan said.
It would be fascinating to see how many native-born US residents could answer all the questions. Why don’t you take the test and see?
It’s actually a stunningly easy list of questions.
I expected it to be hard. Or at least somewhat challenging.
Yeah, I got 1 or 2 wrong. So what?
Thinking of high school grads I meet in local commerce, I doubt if most would get a passing grade. The scariest part is college grads might get closer; but, I think they wouldn’t pass either. Nowadays.
Now, what if we made this test a requirement for voting?
Not to nitpick, but wasn’t the Emancipation Proclaimation just an executive order signed by President Lincoln. In which case it wasn’t a law that freed slaves, unless there was some kind of corresponding bill in the Congress that did the same thing. I suppose it could have had the effect of law in the South in militarily controlled areas, since Lincoln was the Commander in Chief. Anyways, it was really the 13, 14 and 15th amendments that ended slavery as an institution after the Civil War.
If you’ve ever watched the weekly Jaywalking bit on The Tonight Show, you’d believe that most (read: almost all) natural born citizens here would fail miserably. Heck, people can’t even name all the planets in our solar system (before Pluto was nixxed), but they know the name of Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes’ baby. YIKES!
#4, and yet those idiots are urged every two years to take their ignorance with them to the polls and vote. And that will be the primary reason why this republic will eventually fail.
Face it people the average immigrant is smarter more motivated and much more interested in the country they choose to make a better life in.They are the best americans I know.A pissant test won’t stop them nor will a 700 mile long wall.
55. What does it mean that the U.S. Constitution is a constitution of limited powers?
A: The federal government has only the powers that the Constitution states that it has.
A: The states have all powers that the federal government does not.
Ha, clearly it wasn’t a progressive liberal who wrote this test.
#2 – your last line beat me to it. I’ve had that idea for quite a while. “Me too” to everyone: Uneducated voters are far more dangerous than nonvoters.
Wow, no questions about the Patriot Act? I’m stunned. Because clearly this government exists not to govern, but to eliminate terrorism. Maybe they were afraid to ask about it alongside all these questions about the Constitution…
#7: Or a Bush Republican.
#6 — you’re talking about the average motivated legal immigrant. Most illegals have no interest in becoming a citizen, They’re here to make more money than they could back home — and that’s where they send a significant portion of those earnings.
I’ve met illegals on job sites who’ve been working here 6-12 months a year for 10 years. They never wanted to be citizens and still don’t.
And they don’t give a damn about the local Americans whose jobs they take away for cheaper wages.
#7, are you saying that because the question is on the test to begin with? If so I might agree. If you’re issue is with the answer I would wonder what a better answer might be. I think any constitutional scholar, including a liberal one, would agree that the constitution explicitly limits federal power to what is enumerated in the constitution. The argument is really over how far the enumerated powers go, e.g. interstate commerece used to control broadcast mediums, etc.
I remember some folks studing to ‘become citizens’ at work. They knew the line of succession (if something happends to the president, who is next in line etc.) right down to the guy who parks cars at the capitol cafe…
wow! Some people are very glad to ‘become Americans’ . I say we welcome them if they are willing to learn about US. If not, we’ll buy you a plane ticket home.
#2 wrote:
“Now, what if we made this test a requirement for voting?”
An excellent idea. You have to take a test before you are allowed to do many things that have consequences (driving a car for example). Voting can have consequences too (for example, electing a president that say… starts a war). I think you should at least demonstrate a working knowledge of the workings of our government before you are allowed to vote.
Steve
12# Even better than that, I’d like to know how potential electromagnetic interference from a small handheld device warrants federal regulation under the umbrella of interstate commerce. I seriously doubt my iPod is going to have an effect on commerce across state lines.
Actually, I know the answer – there are those people who view commerce as individual acts of exchange between parties, and those who view it as a single, huge interconnected system. The people who advocate federal control over everything fall into the second group.
#4,
Leno’s “Jay Walking” only shows the stupid people that didn’t know the answers. I’m sure that if they showed the entire tape, it would work out to a couple of hours for the three or four minutes they show.
In other words: Forcing the immigrants to learn something the *vast* majority of the youn’ ones take for granted.
Many people know about Jaywalking, so I think even people who know the answers will give stupid answers just to get on the show.
If these immigrants can answer all these questions, then why are they requiring bilingual ballots when they go to vote?
#7 #10. Or anybody, really. ‘State’s Rights’ and ‘Federalism’ are tropes that people trot out when they like the outcome. The Religious Right wants the Federal government to override State laws about abortion and marriage just as various liberal groups push greater Federal powers to promote their causes.
I remember Bob Dole used to walk around saying that he carried a copy of the 10th Amendment next to his heart. I always wanted to ask him if that meant he supported California’s right to leagalize medical marijuana or opposed Federal interference with Oregon’s assisted suicide law.
Ben, liberals don’t believe that at all. It tears apart almost all of their legal decisions.
79. What is the Pledge of Allegiance?
A: The promise of loyalty to the flag and the nation
When does the US Constitution expect/require this promise to be recited?
When does US Government law expect/require this promise to be recited?
How often is it required to be recited? Once? Daily? As required?
What actions will the US Government take against anyone who refuses to recite this promise?
WTF does “loyalty to the flag” mean, anyway???
Everytime some flag-waving [or flag lapel-pin wearing] yahoo claims if I disagree with them, then I am anti-American – I think of an early scene in Schindler’s List, as the Oskar Schindler character dons a Nazi lapel-pin… using a symbol that he doesn’t believe in, because it helps him get what he wants.
#21 – WTF does “loyalty to the flag” mean, anyway???
Mike… quit your bitching and get in step with the status quo!
All hail our Flag Overlord!
This is Kayla Vital and Ajelica Cardona and I personally belive that any person whos illegal; should be able to be allowed to become an american citizen( as long as they dont have a background)