only 50% know the three branches of government
only 54% know declarations of war by Congress; 40% think by the President
Only 21% know that the phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” comes from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Only 55% know that Congress shares authority over U.S. foreign policy with the president. Almost a quarter incorrectly believe Congress shares this power with the United Nations.
Only 27% know the Bill of Rights expressly prohibits establishing an official religion for the United States. *OMG*
Less than one in five know that the phrase “a wall of separation” between church and state comes from a letter by Thomas Jefferson. Almost half incorrectly believe it can be found in the Constitution.
Liberals score an average of 49%; conservatives score 48%
Americans who go to church once a week score an average of 48%; Americans who never go to church score 50%.
Mean Score of All Surveyed: 49%
My Score — 96.97%
http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/2008/major_findings_finding1.html
I think it's obvious this has nothing to do with left vs right or secular/humanity/atheist vs religious. Most Americans just don't know anything, so why do they complain? What's the point if you fundamentally do not know how things work in the first place?
whoops, i meant "secular/HUMANIST/atheist"
@Thinking: take your partisan hackery elsewhere. Thanks for the answer.
J P: Indeed! I think politician's consciously dumb down everything for us.
I thumb up everyone out of the kindness of my heart <3
@No Name: Yeah, that would be true if this was a poll in the traditional sense. This was a QUIZ. About FACTS.
How can you spin a question like "What are the three branches of government?"
@Lust for Decay: this isn't about my ego, this is about my genuine sorrow! It's agonizing. I'm 19 years old and I know more about politics than nearly all Americans. That breaks my heart because this is supposed to be a Republic. I also get mad because Voting days should be a national holiday! It's supposed to be patriotic and stuff.
@Michael: I hope you can! I hope someday everyone can. It's a shame.
@Raelian Star: Now you have data suggesting people don't know what they're talking about instead of a suspicion. I'm studying Economics in my spare time... that and my general pragmatism have already dashed my dreams of socialist utopia haha. I've come to the idea that maybe most of what's wrong with our economy and the structure of society is partly because of the market distortions government keeps introducing. On the other hand, I think the Average Joe is genuinely screwed. Globalization takes labor elsewhere, market efficiencies make it obsolete -_-
@Light up the Darkness: Don't make me feel old! I'm only 19!
only 54% know declarations of war by Congress; 40% think by the President
Only 21% know that the phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” comes from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Only 55% know that Congress shares authority over U.S. foreign policy with the president. Almost a quarter incorrectly believe Congress shares this power with the United Nations.
Only 27% know the Bill of Rights expressly prohibits establishing an official religion for the United States. *OMG*
Less than one in five know that the phrase “a wall of separation” between church and state comes from a letter by Thomas Jefferson. Almost half incorrectly believe it can be found in the Constitution.
Liberals score an average of 49%; conservatives score 48%
Americans who go to church once a week score an average of 48%; Americans who never go to church score 50%.
Mean Score of All Surveyed: 49%
My Score — 96.97%
http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/2008/major_findings_finding1.html
I think it's obvious this has nothing to do with left vs right or secular/humanity/atheist vs religious. Most Americans just don't know anything, so why do they complain? What's the point if you fundamentally do not know how things work in the first place?
whoops, i meant "secular/HUMANIST/atheist"
@Thinking: take your partisan hackery elsewhere. Thanks for the answer.
J P: Indeed! I think politician's consciously dumb down everything for us.
I thumb up everyone out of the kindness of my heart <3
@No Name: Yeah, that would be true if this was a poll in the traditional sense. This was a QUIZ. About FACTS.
How can you spin a question like "What are the three branches of government?"
@Lust for Decay: this isn't about my ego, this is about my genuine sorrow! It's agonizing. I'm 19 years old and I know more about politics than nearly all Americans. That breaks my heart because this is supposed to be a Republic. I also get mad because Voting days should be a national holiday! It's supposed to be patriotic and stuff.
@Michael: I hope you can! I hope someday everyone can. It's a shame.
@Raelian Star: Now you have data suggesting people don't know what they're talking about instead of a suspicion. I'm studying Economics in my spare time... that and my general pragmatism have already dashed my dreams of socialist utopia haha. I've come to the idea that maybe most of what's wrong with our economy and the structure of society is partly because of the market distortions government keeps introducing. On the other hand, I think the Average Joe is genuinely screwed. Globalization takes labor elsewhere, market efficiencies make it obsolete -_-
@Light up the Darkness: Don't make me feel old! I'm only 19!