A new poll released Wednesday by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania found many Americans don’t know how the government works.
The poll showed only 36% of Americans could name all three branches of the government and 35% couldn’t name any of them. It also found over 60% of Americans don’t know which political party controls the House of Representatives and the US Senate.
In a statement accompanying the poll, Annenberg Public Policy Center Director Kathleen Hall Jamieson argued it proves the need for better educational programs.
“Although surveys reflect disapproval of the way Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court are conducting their affairs, the Annenberg survey demonstrates that many know surprisingly little about these branches of government,” Hall Jamieson said. “This survey offers dramatic evidence of the need for more and better civics education.”
Additionally, the poll showed many people do not know basic facts about how the US government functions. It found that over 70% of Americans don’t know a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate is required to override a presidential veto and that 21% of people think a 5-4 Supreme Court decision is sent back to Congress for a final decision.
Tears are allowed.
Thanks to Mike for stoking my cynicism.
Ah, yes, the three branches of government. The crooks, the thieves and the philanderers.
P.J.O’rouke say the three branches are Money, Television, and, Bullshit
Is “Bullshit” synonymous with “Advertising?”
What? No mention of the “fourth” (unofficial) branch?
SHOCKING!
…Not.
Do you mean the ‘fourth estate’ aka ‘the media’?? Then that would be as jdmurray hinted at above… Since that mainstream 4’th is now government sponsored\controlled then it is ‘advertising’. —
“This bullshit has been brought to you by {some perceived underdog of necessary social engineering and your tax dollars; You know, so you will eat less, walk more, buy more worthless carseats so you can’t afford to drive in the first place, be locked down by the threat of checkpoints to *check* seatbelt and happiness status so that you’ll not use so much gas and have more money left to give us for these ads in the first place} and the Ad (ps, we play it loud because it is the most important thing you will ever hear) Council.”
The *real* fourth estate will be liscensed/regulated {assassinated} soon enough, I suspect.
How does government work?
It doesn’t.
Bonus question… Why?
Because democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch?
… And liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting that vote.
dont count on it… the wolves make those arms
Well Obama thinks it works as if Congress doesn’t do what he wants he should do it by executive order. Mark Perkel agrees, and thinks it is treason to act against the President’s wishes.
Really. O is the only prez to use his executive order power. Do some research into which of our fine supreme leaders signed executive orders the most. I’m not defending O but, come on, facts matter.
It’s not the number of executive orders that matter, but the type.
An executive order that you are going to ignore the immigration laws and just not deport anyone because Congress hasn’t passed your preferred amnesty plan, is not how its taught in civics class.
I’m guessing you never actually read the CONSTITUTION! (Some people might like to call it ‘the law’.)
Article I, Section 8 states: “The Congress shall have power to… establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization…” You might notice that it’s NOT the President!
Quite simply, the Presidents job is to ENFORCE laws — NOT MAKE THEM!!!
US presidents enforce laws through the use of executive orders, which are not laws, but are subject to judicial review. EOs have powers that can be indistinguishable from law can also be overruled by SCOTUS. Have any of Obama’s 147 (and counting) EO’s been overruled? If not, why not?
>> An executive order that you are going to ignore the immigration laws
What a load of carp. Obama has deported MORE people than Bush ever did.
Governor Perry of Texas would disappoint.
Maybe we should test people before they vote.
Perhaps this says something of the education system – perhaps it doesn’t. I think it has more to do with the attention span of the average citizen. All this could be covered with a pamphlet.
Don’t think it would be any better in the UK. Interestingly I think the last election in the US had a turnout of about 57% does this mean that 19% don’t know why?
The only thing the Republicans and Democrats agree on is to take another vacation. Lets put a for sale sign on congress!
No. We Democrats want Congress to pass bills and do their jobs.
Talk to Harry Reid.
Obama declared that he can decide when the Senate is in session and make recess appointments even when the Senate is in session by declaring that they are in recess. This egregious behavior, opposed by not a single elected Democrat, was rejected 9-0 at the Supreme Court. Even Obama’s own liberal apparatchik appointees to the court couldn’t support his ignorance of basic civics.
>>Obama declared that he can decide when the Senate is in session
Oh, Goodness.
Obama never declared any such thing.
9-0 Supreme Court vote. Does that count as a failing grade?
For example:
Why doesn’t Obama balance the budget?!?!?
Hint to conservatives: The executive branch doesn’t pass the budget.
John Cleese on really Dee people { Dumming-Freddy Krueger effect}
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wvVPdyYeaQU