Education

‘Crisis’: American Students Fail Basic Civics Test That Most Immigrants Could Pass

According to a test administered by the Department of Education, most eighth graders do not know what the purpose of the Bill of Rights, nor do they understand what checks and balances. At the same time, high school seniors—who are about to enter into full citizenship as voters in this country—”were unable to demonstrate civic skills such as identifying the effect of U.S. foreign policy on other nations or naming a power granted to Congress by the Constitution,” according to a report.

“Today’s NAEP results confirm that we have a crisis on our hands when it comes to civics education,” said former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who last year founded icivics.org, a nonprofit group that teaches students civics through Web-based games and other tools.

The Department of Education administered the tests, known as the nation’s report card, to 27,000 fourth-, eighth- and 12th-grade students last year. Questions cover themes including how government is financed, what rights are protected by the Constitution and how laws are passed.

Average fourth-grade scores on the test’s 300-point scale rose slightly since the exam was last administered, in 2006, to 157 from 154. Average eighth-grade scores were virtually unchanged at 151. The scores of high school seniors — students who are either eligible to vote or about to be — dropped to 148 from 151. Those scores mean that about a quarter of 4th- and 12th-grade students, and about one-fifth of eighth-graders ranked at the proficient or advanced levels.

Though these tests results may surprise most Americans, they are unlikely to surprise those at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a conservative organization aimed at education the youth on issues such as civics, political philosophy, and literature.

Crisis: American Students Fail Basic Civics Test That Most Immigrants Could Pass

ISI has published a Civic Literacy report whose key findings echo those of the Department of Education’s test:

·         America‘s Colleges and Universities Fail to Increase Knowledge About America’s History and Institutions

·         College Seniors Fail Basic Tests on America’s History and Institutions

·         Students at America’s Most Prestigious Universities Performed the Worst

·         While College Fails to Adequately Transmit Civic Knowledge, It Influences Opinion on Polarizing Social Issues

·         Compared to College, Civic Knowledge Exerts a Broader and More Diverse Influence on the American Mind

ISI makes a good point—the same young voters who do not understand the civic principles animating the Constitution and the U.S. government also voted for Barack Obama in droves.

In the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama defeated John McCain in the popular vote roughly 53% to 46%. While there were many factors that contributed to President Obama’s historic victory, a decisive one certainly had to be the turnout rate and voting behavior of the youth. Historically, the 18 to 29-year-old demographic has been a notoriously unreliable voting bloc, averaging between 30% and 40% turnout for presidential elections from 1952–2000. However, voter turnout for younger voters reached 51% in 2008, and their share of the total electorate reached 18%—both historic highs. Furthermore, 18 to 29-year-olds voted overwhelmingly for President Obama, by a margin of 68% to 30%. When taken together, both the elevated turnout and Democratic character of the youth vote added a net increase of 7 percentage points to President Obama’s overall margin of victory, which accounted for his entire electoral advantage over John McCain.

We begin our discussion of collegiate civic engagement with the 2008 youth vote (knowing that not all younger voters attend college), because it provides a useful prism by which to evaluate not only college’s impact on political participation, but also its impact on public opinion, partisanship, and civic knowledge—the focus of ISI’s previous civic literacy reports. In 2008, ISI’s survey of 2,508 adults discovered that college graduates on average not only failed our civic literacy exam, but that an expensive college degree actually adds less to a graduate’s overall level of civic knowledge than certain examples of civic self-education when combined together, like frequently reading and discussing history and current events an average of fifteen hours per week.

Want to test your own civic literacy? Take ISI’s test here.

Comments (238)

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  • kadydid
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:28pm

    If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security.” – Samuel Adams

    Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:23pm

    Since the schools were forced to integrate…the schools have deteriorated and learning has declined immensely.

    Report Post »  
    • Lucy Larue
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 8:45am

      THEGREATCARNAC,
      I disagree. I think the real deterioration began in 1979 when the “2nd” worst President , Jimmah Carter, established the Department of Education with a few strokes of his poison pen.

      The D.O.E. needs to go!

      Report Post »  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:43pm

      Yes, I have often wondered what would have happened if the Supreme Court in 1954 had held “separate but equal” to be constitutional, and then had gone on to mandate that every state with segregated schools should forthwith make sure the black schools were qualitatively every bit as good as white schools, and funded penny for penny on a par with white schools.

      All subject, of course, to rigorous Federal monitoring, with harsh penalties provided for violators. There was more than one way to crack the states’ rights nut.

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:20pm

    This is because the real American students are by-passed and looked over in favor of ghetto rats and immigrants. It does not help because those mentioned will not learn anyway.

    Report Post »  
  • Mateytwo Barreett
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:20pm

    American students may not know civics, BUT you’d be hard pressed to find another group that is so willing to accept gays, lesbisans, crossdressers, transgenders, drugs and alcohol knowledge, every religion know to man ( and a few that aren’t), mopr p[roficient with electronic communications devices, and less physically capable! Now, whats the problem?!

    Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
  • michaeljay
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:13pm

    So now I get it. Keep them dumb and happy so they vote the party line. Make the plantation comfortable by opening up more tax payer- funded entitlements, more public payrolls and more union rights in the workplace. Hell, who needs an education?

    Report Post »  
  • Texas woman56
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:13pm

    I took the test and passed but I thought it was very hard.I had to really think. I can not see 4th grade students taking this test. This was real interesting.

    Report Post »  
  • fixer
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:08pm

    the damn liberal teachers nowdays would rather teach radical crap to their students and whine about the pay and hours than teach children the three R’s and history and everything else they should know.When the liberals are shunned and defeated like after WW2,maybe this country can be great again.

    Report Post »  
  • Exrepublisheep
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:01pm

    Bushs’ fault.

    Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:18am

      In a patisan’s mind, that’s always the sixth multiple choice option. No one ever said ignorance ain’t consistent.

      Report Post »  
  • Living In NYC
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:46pm

    Yep..the educators are too busy teaching socialist ideas..not three “R’s”.

    Just another reason to get rid of the DOE, NEA and put a voucher system in place making public schools compete! Then re-test…we know who will be successful.

    Report Post » Living In NYC  
  • Ovedya
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:44pm

    I’ve got an idea: Maybe if we throw a TON of money at the problem it will go away!

    Nope, hasn’t worked for the past 40 years, why should we think it’ll change.

    I know! Maybe if we, A) Got rid of the unions, B) Got rid of tenure, C) Fired the crappy teachers, D) Paid teachers based on performance (Just as every other job), and, E) Overhauled the system to include innovative teaching methods, including online courses.

    Naw. That’s just crazy talk. What was I thinking. Let‘s just throw more money at it and pretend that we’re not churning out a generation that’s going to empower the government through their ignorance.

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:36pm

    im not surprised at all. This is public education at its finest

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
    • TheGreyPiper
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:49pm

      60 years of experimental/progressive education and teecherz yoonyuns, thank you very much.

      Report Post » TheGreyPiper  
  • chips1
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:32pm

    I actually had all of the answers. This story fails to explain that the questions were all wrong.

    Report Post »  
  • vennoye
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:32pm

    We must do something about the lack of education the children are getting…..what is happening to them is criminal!

    Saw a program by an educator a few weeks ago. He took inner city, at risk students in Dallas (private school) and taught them an accelerated programs based on their own learning rate. At Thanksgiving of their second grade, he matched them up with Mensa PhD’s with electronic calculators on math problems…the children had to do the math in their head. The children beat the PhDs 14 to 6!!

    Here is his website if you want to check it out…if you still have children or grandchildren in school..may have to start supplementing education. http://jonesgeniuses.com/

    Report Post » vennoye  
  • Cymry
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:31pm

    This is how someone like obama gets elected. I doubt that it is still taught that a natural born citizen is one who’s parents (plural) are US citizens and that person is born in the US. obviously the majority of those we elect from each individual state to represent us in the federal government also are ignorant of the natural born clause of the us constitution. if you think that avoiding this issue will “save” america from devastating social upheaval, then you are complicit when it happens. as the saying goes ” the road to hell is paved with good intentions. ” the globalists that chose to run obama did so with the same intentions the british had when they used hessian troops in the revolutionary war. that is to say, find and use someone without any bond to the country to destroy it.

    Report Post » Cymry  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:27pm

    gee:( I am only a tribune…

    WAH HAaaaa

    Report Post » Stoic one  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:29pm

      I got 70%

      WAH HAaaa

      I’m such a dunce

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:46pm

      I still feel bad; I took the full test and got FIVE WRONG!!

      WAH HAaa….I pull hard vacuum (suck)

      That is only 84.85 %

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:51pm

      In all seriousness, let’s all be honest click on the link an post our scores. See how we do individually and post them. With very few exceptions we do not know each other in real life. the “average hovers around 50%.

      Bet i am low man on the totempole……

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:56pm

      @Stoic

      I got 9 out of 10

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • ZAH
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:09pm

      10 out of 10

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:12pm

      10 out of 10 ..

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:30pm

      COOL…. now go back and take the exam……

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:58pm

      i missed 2 on the exam got all 10 on the quiz

      i knew i was smarter than those haaaa vard dweebs

      Report Post » Psychosis  
    • ZAH
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:07am

      29 out of 33—87.88%

      ….but I demend a re-test!! ;)

      Report Post »  
    • copatriots
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:12am

      So….where are our resident trolls on this article? I’m guessing they scored below 50% at best.

      Report Post »  
    • ZAH
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:17am

      So far our averages are—

      Quiz: 9.2

      Exam: 88.89% (rounding)

      ….but this is a rather meager sample.

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:18am

      30 out of 33 on the exam.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:25pm

    “College Seniors Fail Basic Tests on America’s History and Institutions. Students at America’s Most Prestigious Universities Performed the Worst.”

    And these are the self deluded fools who believe that they are smarter then everyone else and who will demonstrate for every extreme left wing cause that comes up.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • tower7femacamp
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:24pm

    I would ask them about building 7
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffPntNJpLjs

    Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • Whirling Dervish
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:19pm

      Must watch!!!!

      Learn why!!!

      http://www.infowars.com/terrorist-hunter-general-under-wolfowitz-told-me-911-was-false-flag/

      Report Post » Whirling Dervish  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:28am

      I’m afraid most people feel as if they are betraying their country to even watch buiding 7 come down…and even if they do they will rationalize some explanation that fits the government’s story, even though the 9/11 commision failed to even mention building 7. Of course they didn’t mention building 7…because it wasn’t hit by a jet. So here we have a 47 story building the length of 3 football fields…steel column construction…and it goes down in free fall speed…6.5 seconds…straight down into it’s footprint….and the government’s hand picked commision (led by a man in the Bush administration) doesn’t even mention it. They wanted everyone’s attention to go to the twin towers collapsing (imploding), because they WERE hit by planes. Building 7‘s jet didn’t make it. It went down in Pennsylvania. They had to pull it since it was all rigged to go……It’s just the plain truth…..All 3 buildings went down by controlled demolition. No amount of ridicule or attempted debunking will change that fact

      Report Post » riseandshine  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:33am

      excuse me…300 ft. one football field…which one huge bulding if you ask me…here comes the ridicule and bashing….Pardon me, blazers for commenting on this subject. I was just replying to the post

      Report Post » riseandshine  
    • enufznuf
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:39am

      Alex, although funny to listen to is on low watt am, and shortwave frequencies for a reason.

      Report Post »  
  • Showtime
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:23pm

    I have made high 90s in tests before, but I scored 80% on the questions that this was linked to. There are ten questions.

    Report Post » Showtime  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:08pm

      I got 100% . but I can telll you that a year ago I would have missed at least a couple most likely .. TEA party reading and meetings are educational!
      _____________________________________________________________

      You answered 10 out of 10 correctly — 100.00 %

      Your Ranking
      Philosopher-King
      In ancient Greece, this was Plato’s ideal ruler in The Republic; combines both wisdom and power.

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • teachermitch32
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:11pm

      Show,

      You took the “quiz”. Go back and take the full exam and report back how you did. 8 out of 10 is good, but the exam is a little more daunting. Have fun.

      BTW…I got 75.76% on full exam and 80% on the quiz…that’s okay, and well above the 55% of college educators, but I want to know more and do better.

      Report Post »  
    • copatriots
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:37pm

      Woo Hooooo!

      “You answered 31 out of 33 correctly — 93.94 %”

      Now if only our Congress would score so well to understand Obama should be impeached!

      Report Post »  
    • zteater
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:19am

      What have your learned today?

      Every day our children miss out on the most important learning tool available. Books.

      It is no wonder that the most intelligent and most successful (not necessarily mutual exclusive), read on average 1 novel per week.

      If you are an adult, you are a mentor those around you. Lead by example.

      Report Post »  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:26pm

      Copatriots:
      You are hereby appointed “philosopher-king-for-a-day.!”
      Honestly, did some of the questions on the long exam seem seem only tenuously related to “civic literacy?” If so, which ones?
      Lloyd (90.91%)

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
  • Professional Infidel
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:21pm

    they (the immigrants) don’t even know who the prez of me he co!! or which way is south!! and punk kids don’t know which way is up

    Report Post »  
  • marine249
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:18pm

    yes get in the right line.

    Report Post »  
  • NoStoppingUs
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:14pm

    Mission Accomplished!
    -The Democrat Party

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 7:21am

      The Dems couldn’t achieve victory without the complete and total absence of leadership in the family. It is a man’s duty to oversee the family and the American male has abondoned the family to chase new BMWs (or worse) for the last 30 years. A generation or more of fathers have failed their families chasing selfish desires. The failure of schools is just a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • CatB
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:12pm

    Legal immigrants who legally want to become citizens .. like my parents did ….

    This is a crime .. while the socialist/marxist teachers teach them all about “social justice” they know nothing about the REAL AMERICA AND AMERICAN HEROS!

    Fire the NEA (and Dept of Ed) and all the teachers .. then start hiring all over only those who can PASS A CIVICS TEST !

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:39pm

      Hey! Obama! Can you spell impeach?

      Report Post »  
    • ZAH
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:23pm

      Only if it’s on his TelePrompTer…

      Report Post »  
    • ZAH
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:26pm

      This was to supposed to be in repy to Chips1 above.

      Report Post »  
    • psst
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 8:56am

      This is one of many problems w/ this site.
      You click on a reply (to a person) tab and you start typing automatically in the box, thinking you are replying to X or Y.
      Then you find your reply as a post. It’s best when replying to make sure on top the box your nic and leave a reply to X or Y is there. If not, go back to the post to which you want to reply and click their reply button again, then come back down and start typing in the box. Again make sure your name and a leave a reply to is there.

      Report Post »  
    • psst
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 9:06am

      @ZAH Let me walk back that advice.
      Seems sometimes it works and sometimes it’s doesn;t.
      I made sure that my post was a reply to CATB, the one that start’s out w/ What ya mean fire them.
      On top the box when I replied it read PSST, leave a reply to CATB .
      Guess what? it did not work.
      It a good idea to also start a reply w/ @ then the person’s nic, this way even if your reply comes out as a post, said person will know you are replying to them.
      Posting on the Blaze is an adventure. Ya never know where your post/reply will end up.
      Going on vacation to Hawaii.Then your plane lands.”Hey maw, we just arrived in Rome”

      Report Post »  
    • Nobamazone
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 6:13am

      not only the teachers, how about anyone wanting to hold an office! They should have to pass the test as well.

      Report Post » Nobamazone  
    • psst
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 8:46am

      What ya mean fire them? They are United States of America government approved.
      They should be given raises, bonusus, free trips and whatever.
      The marxist teacher’s unions have been SuckCessful in their endevours/goals.
      The chirrens/chilluns are turning/have turned out exactly as planned.
      Congrats to the USA.

      Report Post »  
  • LIVINGTHEDREAM
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:11pm

    Just goes to show that our children aren’t getting the education they need. Mothers and Fathers please go above and beyond to teach your kids additional at home after “Public” if you don’t home school. It starts with us from the bottom. Get going and spread the word.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:53pm

      I understand, when I had problems with math as a young kid, grandpa spent the summer teaching me how to do math – fractions and such as well; the following year in additional areas he tutored me such as reading and writing I already was doing two to three years ahead of the other kids. He also gave me the two greatest gifts I think he could have given to anyone – dare to learn, dare to dream and seek out the answers to those questions you find in life.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • ecurbyy
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 8:04am

      And many people have been educated far beyond their intelligence.

      Report Post » ecurbyy  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:09pm

    It’s part of the grand scheme of things. The appearance that these immigrants are nice and smart.

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
  • BobParker2003
    Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:06pm

    We have a definate lack of concern for taaching history and government in this country. When the youth do not understand history they will repeat it.

    Report Post »  
    • Welcome Black Carter
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:09pm

      Perhaps “little” things like this will become more important when the national language changes to Chinese

      Report Post » Welcome Black Carter  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:12pm

      Definite problem when the kids teach us how to spell.

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:25pm

      @ Welcome Black Carter

      Of course that will be too little (MUCH) too late. We need to act instead of always trying to react to the events of the day. We have to take ACTION. We need to think ahead. Force the left to react to us for a change!!

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • dealer@678
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:33pm

      It’s because the American student has been put in the back of the class in favor of the mexicans

      Report Post »  
    • dealer@678
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:37pm

      These Mexicans breed like Cane Toads. HOW are we going to deal with this population explosion. We cant. Its impossibe

      Report Post »  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:42pm

      May be everyone needs to take an American Civics and Citizenship test every two years to vote in ANY election.

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:42pm

      I said it here a few times, and got taken to task for it by an unnamed Blazer, but I stand by it.

      To vote, all should be required to take a BASIC test about our nation, it’s history, and it’s system of government.

      At the rate we are going, this country will be unrecognizable in the not so distant future.

      Shame so many have given their lives for something we are letting slip away.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:50pm

      @82nd Airborne;

      We need to be both ACTIVE and PRO-ACTIVE in the matter of education; active by getting rid or changing what does not work at this time, and pro-active by implementing the changes that will for once actually work for the generation coming up.

      This does not mean giving up on the current generation of kids and young adults; it just means there will be a generation of time it will take to make the changes truly effective, Americans have gotten to the point now where we are seeing the results of ‘give it to me now, make it happen now’ implement of failed doctrin of the progressives.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Eric_The_Red_State
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 10:51pm

      Ahhhh,,,, UNION RESULTS at their finest.

      Unions wont allow us to fire bad teachers or have GOOD teachers compete for the jobs.

      Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
    • sing it out
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:08pm

      I’m a teen. I passed with flying colors. I love history!

      Report Post » sing it out  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:10pm

      @Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}

      I agree…………………………………. How?

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:10pm

      @SING IT OUT

      Congrats ! — me too .. not to bad for someone who has been out of school for over 35 years!

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:13pm

      This is news? This has beem happening or years…

      When the kids have to google “who is Osama Bin Laden” we should know how dumb they are.

      Report Post »  
    • Eric_The_Red_State
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:18pm

      Theyrs nuthin wong wiht teechers today – I no I got a good edyucashun wen I wend to skool.
      My teecher beelong to a yunyun and we studeed a lowt of buks,. Nun abowt histury tho. We just lernd that america is a bad place and ful of bad peeple. We tuk advantig of lowts of peeple and we where bad too them. We desurve to hav liberal teechers hoo teech us gud things abowt bowing to sawdy prints and to gev muny to indeeyuns and alow mexicans peeples to come to amreica and take owr jobs cuz we r bad peeples. We desurv to be punishd becuz we dont like peeples difrunt thin us are.

      Gud for the teechurs

      Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
    • AMERICA4EVER
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:21pm

      Yeah, all the mistakes!

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:33pm

      Therightsofbilly – years ago the US Supreme Court struck down every practice that you have just now suggested. Why? Because voting restrictions like they one you promote are transparent attempts to disenfranchise non-whites. Take your bigotry somewhere else. It’s un-American, unconstitutional, and offensive.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • Finch88
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:38pm

      I agree we need to fix education badly.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:40pm

      Therightsofbilly – years ago the US Supreme Court struck down every practice that you have just now suggested. Why? Because voting restrictions like they one you promote are transparent attempts to disenfranchise non-whites. Take your bigotry somewhere else. It’s un-American, unconstitutional, and offensive…

      Report Post » jzs  
    • ZAH
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:42pm

      @JZS–
      Only if you think non-whites are intellectually inferior…

      Report Post »  
    • ginsberg
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:53pm

      The problem is with a nation that cares more about bank bailouts and war than education. Call the kids dumb all you want they didnt put us where we are now.

      Report Post »  
    • DangerClose
      Posted on May 6, 2011 at 11:59pm

      “Dear Ellen,
      I can’t tell you how disgusted I am becoming with these wretched politicians, they are a most despicable set of men. Seward is a meddling, officious, incompetent little puppy. The President is nothing more than a well meaning baboon.”

      Who said that?

      Report Post »  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:17am

      “Making suppository remarks about our country”
      -Archie Bunker

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:20am

      Hey JZS,

      Hows about we agree that it would only disenfranchise people that do not care enough about their country, or their responsibility to be informed enough to elect honest, decent leaders.

      I knew my post would get you riled up. That’s why I put the word BASIC in my statement.
      Why do we require immigrants to pass a test to become a citizen and vote? Is that unreasonable? If they don’t pass the test, are we disenfranchising them?

      Why don’t you read up on what a certain founding father had to say about the importance of a well informed citizenry.

      You have made many assumptions about me over the past few months.
      Without knowing anything about me, you have claimed to make more money than me.
      You have insinuated that my friends are the KKK, when I have spoken out against racism here.

      And just now you call me bigot. Well if you mean I am bigoted towards leftists, marxists, progressives, socialists, etc, then you are correct. But you are a fool to think skin color or ethnicity has anything to do with it.

      Actually, I, and I bet many others find your statement to be rather bigoted.
      Are you insinuating that only whites would be diligent enough, or educated enough to pass a simple, basic test? Why else would you say that it would disenfranchise “non-whites”?

      Talk about offensive?

      I

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:21am

      @82ndAirborne:

      First, Department of Education goes away.

      Second: Allow each state to set up its own guidelines for education mandates, they know the needs better of their students than some DC beaurocrat.

      Third: Look at what is working here in the country, such as the newer class-teacher system used in Florida, and allow teachers pay to be merit based; better teachers receive better pay for better outcome with their students.

      Fourth, perhaps first, get rid of the ever loving unions who hidebound the system.

      Fifth: An idea suggested by a naturalized immigrant friend of mine, she is a now retired teacher from the Philipines…teachers seeking to imigrate, who will teach the American values and ways, and work for the benefit of the kids, have priority on entry with immigration status…not outright citizenship…she said that still needs to be worked and earned for them like all others.

      This would be a start.

      There are no single, cut and dry, easy solutions to the nations problems right now; yet we can do it, for God sake this county put people on the moon inside a decade after the challenge was given. That is what we need to restore the country.

      WE the PEOPLE need to rise to the challenge of the RESTORATION; we are the ones, not some great leader like a Regan, Lincoln or Washington. WE will do it, person to person, town to town and state by state…that is the challenge to call for.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:24am

      @JZS

      No need to repeat yourself, I’m not blind.

      Color blind, yes.

      Blind, no.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • drattastic
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:39am

      What else is new .

      Report Post » drattastic  
    • Voice-O-Reason
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:04am

      Basic things like teaching people how to use a spell checker have went by the wayside also. Sad.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:08am

      Billy, your proposal that a person must pass a test before being allowed to vote has been rejected by the United States Supreme Court for the reasons I mentioned (tests which has no other purpose than to prevent minorities from voting). Okay, you disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision. That’s fine. Whatever.

      Move on to the next topic.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:11am

      oh yeah – You are all now dealing with a “Philosopher-King!” 90% on both. Not great but not too shabby.

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • marine249
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:12am

      took both test 10 for 10 on one

      90% on the other.

      not bad for an old Jarhead.

      beeh out of school going on 56 years.

      Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:19am

      thats been not beeh

      been out of school 56 years and still cannot

      type worth a da–

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:21am

      @JZS,

      Nice punt. I’d say about 70 yards.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • ramburner
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:23am

      Correct. But when history is re-written we have no other alternative but to repeat it! Get the Marxist away from our kids!

      @theBlaze; Get rid of the pop out banner at bottom; we know how to go to the next article! If you agree, then please make the same comments until this banner is eliminated. Please contact contact@theblaze.com and request removal of Banner.

      Report Post »  
    • FlatFoot
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:25am

      You answered 10 out of 10 correctly — 100.00 %
      Your Ranking:
      Philosopher-King

      In ancient Greece, this was Plato’s ideal ruler in The Republic; combines both wisdom and power.

      Sheesh. So easy even a caveman could do it.

      Report Post » FlatFoot  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:31am

      @JZS,

      Seems your bud Barry disagrees with a Supreme Court decision.
      Do you proffer him the same advice?………”That’s fine…..whatever……move on to the next fundaMENTAL change”.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:33am

      Liberal ideology in our schools have ruined education in this country. I think it was just today that Rush read a statistic about the population of Detroit Michigan. Something like 65% of the population can not read and write. And I’ll bet the government has thrown hundreds of millions upon hundreds of millions of dollars on education in Detroit. What an incredible waste!

      Help draft Colonel West…
      http://www.americasteapartynews.com/draft-allen-west.php

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
    • LibertyWon
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:34am

      “According to a test administered by the Department of Education, most eighth graders do not know what the purpose of the Bill of Rights, nor do they understand what checks and balances.” Care to complete that thought?

      Report Post »  
    • restorehope
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:45am

      Their teachers have been so busy teaching social justice and political correctness that they didn’t focus on US history or how the government actually works. It is time that these teachers (and their progressive divurgences from the curriculum) be identified and fired. Our children are being spoon-fed progressive propaganda right under our noses. We need a national watchdog organization that will stop this reckless and dangerous indoctrination of young Americans. Obviously, it cannot be run by the feds as they are complicit in allowing it to happen in the first place.

      Report Post »  
    • David, the Constitutional Libertarian
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:52am

      10 for 10 and 100%
      Hmmmm, when do I get appointed to the Supreme Court or to the Cabinet?
      Oh I forgot the mandatory hiring quotas or something.

      The US edumacation system has become the weakest link theory I had been espousing in the past. It is detrimental to the sensibilities of the children if someone is given a better grade or excel. All of the children must be held back to the lowest common denominator so to speak. Would not want anyone to think they are exceptional would we? Look back to that video where the students at liberal colleges would not share their GPA scores but would push for the marxist theory of redistribution of money.

      It is another example of the cognitive dissonance within the liberal mind. They think that the government apparatchik can get the additional luxuries but no one else. That is because the liberals actually believe in the Mao theory on government, barrel of gun power allows them to make the rules. If someone in the private sector excels, they must have done it through graft, crime, or some other way to harm others, not through hard work.

      Also is the marxist theory of equal outcome instead of equal opportunity. See some of the older videos of Piven where she is debating Freidman. They are quite revealing.

      Oh and JZS, tests for voting have not been denied by the Supreme Court. There are tests that can be applied. They do not allow non citizens to vote and they also have age restrictions defined in the Constitution.

      continued-

      Report Post » David, the Constitutional Libertarian  
    • Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:57am

      Another side effect of capitalism. Kids gorging themselves on entertainment only and companies happily feeded it to them in as large a quantity as possible for some cash! Go America!

      Report Post » Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:01am

      @JZS,

      No, I’m not ready to move on to another topic just yet.

      You once again just put forth the premise that because someone is not part of the majority, that they are not capable of passing a simple test.

      My only desire is to keep ignorant people, JUST IGNORANT PEOPLE from voting. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, creeds, you name it. If you don’t know who the VP, or the Speaker of the house is, you have no business voting. I’d prefer to have the vote determined by the flip of a coin, than by a bunch of uninformed “citizens”

      We of course know why you think differently. Because you think like James Carville.

      I’ll post this quote from him once more for those who missed it.

      “The Democratic constituency is just like a herd of cows. All you have to do is lay out enough silage and they come running. That’s why I became an operative working with Democrats. With Democrats all you have to do is make a lot of noise, lay out the hay, and be ready to use the ole cattle prod in case a few want to bolt the herd.
      Eighty percent of the people who call themselves Democrats don’t have a clue as to political reality.
      What amazes me is that you could take a group of people who are hard workers and convince them that they should support social programs that were the exact opposite of their own personal convictions. Put a little fear here and there and you can get people to vote any way you want.
      The voter is basically dumb and lazy. The reason I became

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • restorehope
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:05am

      @rights of billy
      You are so right. The ones who accuse others of racism are the true bigots. Their accusations are a last resort when they find themselves on the losing end of an argument. It’s a sign of weakness to do so.

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:07am

      .
      Here is the rest of the quote that got cut off:

      The reason I became a Democratic operative instead of a Republican was because there were more Democrats that didn’t have a clue than there were Republicans.
      Truth is relative. Truth is what you can make the voter believe is the truth. If you’re smart enough, truth is what you make the voter think it is. That‘s why I’m a Democrat. I can make the Democratic voters think whatever I want them to.” James Carville

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:14am

      @Bible Quotin ?

      That might be how you are raising your children, but not me, or the other parents who know better.

      Oh wait, you might just be a child yourself. Never mind.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • Mee the People
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:18am

      home school your kids or they will get public skooled

      Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:19am

      went back and found the 33 quest. test.

      took it, got a 93.94%

      still not bad for an old JARHEAD

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:27am

      @David, the Constitutional Libertarian

      Thanks David, I never thought about the age restriction.
      We obviously don‘t allow a two year old to vote because they don’t know anything.
      So why the 22 year old that knows nothing?

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:31am

      That is because the Right is cutting fund for education in this country. Don’t plan this on the liberals because they have had nothing to do with this. Whenever funds need to be cut the Right is the first the take it from education. http://wp.me/pYLB7-X7

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:41am

      @WALKWITHME

      WOW

      Remind me to never EVER take a walk with you.
      You are deluded.
      And I’m being civil.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:41am

      @JZS
      We found common ground, no test…I’m waiting for lightning to strike! 

      @Rightsofbilly
      Who would create your voting test? The Government? So say a socialist or very conservative administration was dominant and made your proposed test, do you think you would answer correctly according to them? Government is NEVER the SOLUTION! Any power you give it will be used to make you grab your ankles quite frankly…

      The problem isn’t the youth! The problem is the adults…Youth, kids are just that, youth and kids…They rely on Adults for wisdom…Which wisdom is the correct wisdom to teach them is the adults job…Government will never be the solution…Public schools suck because they are ran by Government! What a surprise! Adults are giving up THEIR responsibility to the Government…As a result, we have today’s mess…

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:58am

      My children are still kids. I’m talking about the majority of teens.

      Report Post » Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American  
    • Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:01am

      Home schooling your children makes them naive and sheltered. But it’s WAY easier to indoctrinate them with your religious garbage and slanted, paranoid views of the world. Plus you can make darn sure, by God, that the only minorities they see will be on the dad gum TV. No wonder you want to home school. Don’t want them realizing how dumb you are.

      Report Post » Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:11am

      This goes all the way back to Lincoln and even the founders…Personally, I do not think our founders intended for schools to be ran by Government but was one of the “necessities” they had to start, not run forever…

      After the civil war, Lincoln used schools to change the thought of the whooped southerners…While it is believed all southerners had slaves, most didn’t…Most were just as poor as a slave but were free…Did what they wanted, thought how they wanted…Lincoln changed that thought thru schools so that to federalize the whole nation…Not saying right or wrong but that is truth…Same thing happening now…

      Everyone today believes one must have this certain knowledge or they are worthless…We totally forget the individual in the since we are all different…Look at what we teach our kids upon leaving high school alone, go into debt so someone can tell you to read a book that one could get at a library and read and teach themselves or hire a tutor to help explain if needed…By depending on Government we have taught our children to and taught them not to believe in themselves but believe in Government..

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • zteater
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:16am

      @THERIGHTSOFBILLY
      “To vote, all should be required to take a BASIC test about our nation, it’s history, and it’s system of government.”

      Really? A requirement to vote? I get your intentions, but think about what you are saying….

      Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:18am

      @Okie,

      Why I, of course would create the test.
      Seriously though, who created the test for citizenship? Does it change constantly with each new administration?

      Like I said, It would be a basic, simple test so as not to exclude any but the most ignorant. Just factual questions that could not be misconstrued or biased in any way.
      Things like……..Who is the current VP?…….Who is the current Speaker of the House?…….How many senators does California have?

      I understand your concerns, but the consequences of the direction we are heading are great.

      I do agree with you about the public schools though, and yes it is the adults responsibility to teach, But there are too many adults now that have not been taught what to teach, and the snowball is rolling downhill at an ever increasing speed.

      And I hold out no hope of the test ever becoming a reality. It’s not in the cards. But I can dream.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • zteater
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:29am

      @RIGHTSOFBILLY
      “Hows about we agree that it would only disenfranchise people that do not care enough about their country, or their responsibility to be informed enough to elect honest, decent leaders.”

      Really? Wait, you’re joking right? You think voting is only for those deemed “informed”? Who decides what makes someone “informed”? You? The poll workers? Congress? Maybe a blood test when you cast your vote? Retina scan? Oh, I know maybe TSA can alter their full body scans to determine intelligence! Or, perhaps you‘ll decide everyone is too uninformed to vote and you’ll just decide for us? Gosh, where have I heard this before? hrm….

      Report Post »  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:30am

      @bible quotin science fearn

      To call yourself “bible quotin” and “science fearn” at the same time shows your a product of public schools… First you forgot your “G’s” and secondly you know not what you speak of… Take some advice and think before you speak…And change your name…Your embarrassing yourself…

      George Washington as a teenager was surveying land…By teaching our children we need all this Government schooling is ridiculous…We have made our kids sissies! 

      Adults don’t know why they were created…Adults now have kids and at the first opportunity send them off to Government daycare so BOTH parents can go earn that DOLLAR for the big house, 2 cars and a pool…Other single parent families sell their kids out because they think of their own selves and “love” or rather party and keep broken homes, not taking responsibility for creating a kid and teaching their kid the essentials of life…We have become that dumb…

      The solution is give up the dollar chase, take responsibility for the children you have and teach them values and principles..Those P‘s and V’s are the fundamentals to teach Reading, Math, Science, etc…

      Otherwise you have the product of Government, crapola!!!

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • zteater
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:40am

      @RIGHTSOFBILLY
      “Like I said, It would be a basic, simple test so as not to exclude any but the most ignorant.”

      See that’s the whole problem with your “idea”. You don’t get the subjective nature of what your asking. Whomever writes the test, ultimately decides who votes, and consequently who gets elected. You take the democracy out of the democracy and turn it into something perverse.

      I am college educated, a professional software developer for a Fortune 10 company, and I served 5 years in the Army including Iraq. If I do not know who the VP, speaker, or number of senators in each state, I am no more less qualified to vote than I am qualified to vote per my above attributes. However, regardless of what YOU think, my voice matters and counts. Every citizen from CEO’s, to religious leaders, to scholars, to the middle class, to manual labor, to the bum living under a bridge have a right and a say in the direction of this country. Sorry, but you are dead wrong on this one.

      Report Post »  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:48am

      @therightsofbilly

      :-)

      Amnesty has no test, does it? Open boarder isn’t a test…We teach now thru non policy you don’t have to take a citizenship test…Reagan did it, Obama will do it…

      Government is never a solution..Never…

      I agree, snowball rolling down a nice descending slope of more snow…I personally realize I can‘t save the collective and I know Government can’t..But I can save my family…I can teach them those same P‘s and V’s my Grandfather had and used who had an 8th grade education…With that education he got a job plumbing, bought land, built a house and built another paying for his house…Plumbed till he was 40, retired and started a little business and traveled..Raised three kids while his wife never worked one day, except on their little farm, dinner, and maintaining the house…

      If an 8th grade education back then enabled him to do this, why can’t kids today with twice as much education from the Government tie their shoes? 

      A person can do anything they put their mind to…It just takes an adult teaching that individual just that, not Government…

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 5:49am

      “To vote, all should be required to take a BASIC test about our nation, it’s history, and it’s system of government.”

      Totally with you BILLY. And unlike JZS, I am confident in the ability of non-whites to learn to read and write. I would see this more as an attempt to lift up the disenfranchised and protect the innocent from being used by those who have stopped educating them about our history in order to write “…a new history….”(Michelle O’Bama)

      There is a reason why the likes of JZS get desperately pedantic here–to the point of making the mistake of sounding racist herself. How could more education be a bad thing? Very bad for the left’s vote control over the youth and minorities. Very bad.

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 6:18am

      GetLife writes:

      ” I would see this more as an attempt to lift up the disenfranchised and protect the innocent from being used by those who have stopped educating them about our history in order to write “…a new history….”(Michelle Obama)”

      Your going to “lift up” the disenfranchised and innocent by preventing them from voting if they can’t pass a Government issued test? That makes zero sense! So in 2012 if Obama issues out a voting test would you pass? You want to give Obama that power? Why not a citizen test for everyone even if born here? Can’t be a citizen till you pass a test to “protect” your innocents…What is the difference? 

      Forcing people to think like you thru power is wrong…A government test is power and will be used for POWER! 

      This is what progressives would do, not conservatives or Libertarians…Government is not the solution…

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • psst
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 8:26am

      Um It’s NOT a lack of concern.
      The chirrens/chilluns have been Deliberately Dumbded down by the government approved marxist teachers unions. Then on to universities on government grants, where they get remedial reading/spelling and how to do simple math like 2+2 or 1×2 AND last, but not least, further Indoctrinations by the marxist profs.
      Why do you think most college grads and ha sKrool grads don’t even know the difference between profits and profit margins?
      They hear/see on the MSM this or that evil oil company made 50 Bil in profits.Wow -Evil-evil-evil.
      If they hear/heard the evil oil company % of profit is around 8-10% and the MSM’s % of profits are around 18-20%. Would they get pissed off at the MSM and call them evil-evil?
      The MMSM (marxist main st media) throws out these numbers w/o saying what these billions mean in regards to the % of profits they equates to, vs the % of profits of other industries.
      They don’t even reminds their zombies of how many jobs are created by these evil companies or how much in taxes they pay.
      Some of theze zombies are so stupid, they bad mouth profitable companies w/o even thinking that some of their retirement $ are invested in them. they just parrots the MSM. and the teachers.Evil-evil.

      Report Post »  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 10:09am

      OKIE, Who’s preventing anyone from voting? Sorry, but you’re sounding a bit Nannyish. You just have to speak up for the disenfranchised because they’ll never learn to read and pass a simple American Civics/History test? Just the kind of condescension which keeps them in their place. Not to mention that making sure people know how to read also empowers them to be able to educate themselves. Remember Obama’s “car keys” analog?– well, this is similar: You learn the rules. You pass the test. THEN you get to drive.

      The real problem here is that the schools are supposed to be teaching Civics and History, but evidently we can’t trust them to do that.

      Also, I see you would agree that letting each administration issue its own test would screw things up. Don’t think anyone here is advocating that.

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 10:44am

      @GetLife

      Nice try but truth doesn’t twist…Shall we go over your posts? 

      You are advocating creating a “test” that must be passed before you can exercise the right to vote….A government test, right? 

      So are you saying your going to encourage, nudge, or “nanny” your subjects into learning what you believe they should know before exercising their right to vote? Right? 

      So, if the Obama administration made this test before you can vote in 2012 you would be ok with it? and think you can pass it? 

      Please GetLife explain this more of how you want the Government to force one to pass a test before voting and how Government doing so isn’t being a nanny….

      Some advice: look up definition of “Nanny”…..

      I say it‘s the individuals responsibility and your saying it’s Government’s….Explain which is the nanny….After looking up Nanny! 

      So sad…I look forward to your answers….

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 10:49am

      Just to refresh your memory GetLife….This is what you wrote in which you agreed with Billy who is for a test you have to pass…

      GETLIFE
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 5:49am
      “To vote, all should be required to take a BASIC test about our nation, it’s history, and it’s system of government.”

      Totally with you BILLY. And unlike JZS, I am confident in the ability of non-whites to learn to read and write. I would see this more as an attempt to lift up the disenfranchised and protect the innocent from being used by those who have stopped educating them about our history in order to write “…a new history….”(Michelle O’Bama)

      There is a reason why the likes of JZS get desperately pedantic here–to the point of making the mistake of sounding racist herself. How could more education be a bad thing? Very bad for the left’s vote control over the youth and minorities. Very bad.

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 11:05am

      Uh, of course I would insist that it all be done in English….

      ZTEATER: NAWW I say. We are not talking sociology, political theory, or engineering exams. Do the guys who write the driving tests decide who gets to drive? (Well, I guess so, in a way… :) but no one can deny that having to take the test is what makes one learn the rules.

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • APatriotFirst
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 11:47am

      @Dangerclose

      General McClellan

      Report Post »  
    • Sola Scriptura
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 11:54am

      @Bible Quotin‘ Science Fearin’ Conservative American

      “Home schooling your children makes them naive and sheltered. But it’s WAY easier to indoctrinate them with your religious garbage and slanted, paranoid views of the world. Plus you can make darn sure, by God, that the only minorities they see will be on the dad gum TV. No wonder you want to home school. Don’t want them realizing how dumb you are.”

      Have you ever met a homeschooled child before? I guarantee they are more mature, respectful and open to views then you. I was homeschooled up until high school, and I got so fed up with the crawling public school system, which even in MN (a relatively well educated state) was too slow for me, I passed on my senior year and went straight to college. Oh, and by the way, I am not a bigot, nor a racist, or anything else of that matter. By the time I entered High school, I was already post-grad levels in most standard tests. I did not gasp in shock when I saw a black person. And to the way my blesses parents raised me, I have learned to be socially and economically responsible, not relying on OTHERS to do things for me. I thank God every day my parents raised me a conservative. I would hate myself if I were like you.

      Report Post » Sola Scriptura  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:03pm

      OKIE, I am not yet disagreeing with my posts, although I do think we are more like-minded than you might imagine. I do know my jr high and high school American History and Civics, and could certainly pass any test on these levels. Don’t think that any imaginary voter registration civics test would be anywhere near these levels.

      I think the written driving test you need to pass is a good analogy. No, I don’t think that the State is “nannying” me because they make me learn the rules of the road and then prove it to them in a test.

      Agreed, agreed, agreed. The less government, the better. But don’t forget.The progressive liberal school system is now in charge of teaching American History and Civics. I would rather have future voters have to learn these subjects outside of that biased system. And now a question for you–where do you think partisan politics are LEAST present– in a High School classroom, or in a federal office such as an Embassy, consulate, or passport agency? “Federal” is not always a dirty word. How can you be so sure that our schools are a better place to learn Civics than from a voter registration pamphlet? In one the government is hidden, and in the other it is exposed for all to see.

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • TunaBlue
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:12pm

      @BOBPARKER

      Knowledge of history does not stop one from repeating that history. Everyday, people repeat their personal history irrespective of its positive or negative outcomes. Learning from history may help someone choose a different outcome, but it’s a rarity.

      If we look at history in the big picture, individuals in position power are the ones who make the decisions that create history. Woodrow Wilson, Ph.D., a man who had at his command a deep knowledge of history, made some of the worst historical decisions; whereas, Winston Churchill learned from and applied history to make some of the most beneficial decisions that changed history for the better.

      Marxist and Progressive professors don’t teach true history to our kids because it would mean exposing themselves and their agenda.

      Report Post »  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:17pm

      Continued: 
      Where do you think Progressives learned this tactic? Lincoln…Progressives are the same folks who owned slaves…So when Lincoln used schools to change the southerners, the Progressives learned from that…

      Government is never the solution to the problem, Government is the problem…

      You can’t save the collective GetLife..You can save yourself….You can lead as example but you can’t force someone to think like you, even if right, thru Government as it will come back to bite you in the rear and force is WRONG..

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:51pm

      @GetLife

      I do not know why but my first post will not be accepted.I will check it and try again tonight…Saturdays are family day and I must attend my responsibility. I do ask you check back later to finish this discussion. I appreciate your discussion…

      Simple questions to think on..

      Your advocating a pass/fail test in order to vote? 
      Who creates these tests? 
      What is the benefit? 
      Where can this test be found in Constitution?

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 1:54pm

      @GetLife

      Oh last one:
      If Liberal Progressives are teaching Civics now, thru Government public schools, why could they not this proposed test? 

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 2:59pm

      I like the suggestion of a basic “civics literacy” test as a prerequisite for voting. No one should vote who doesn’t at least understand what federalism means, or what the 1st and 2nd amendments say, or (within 20 years) when the Civil War was fought.

      I also think there should be a basic “global literacy” test in our famously globalizing world. No one should vote who can’t locate China on a world map, or identify the EU or the UN, or say whether Buddhism, Christianity or Islam is the main religion of the Middle East and North Africa..

      While we’re at it, a basic “scientific literacy” test, so that we will have properly informed citizens voting on issues like abortion rights, the teaching of evolution and global warming.

      All in English, of course.

      Yes, that should do it!

      Then I would wait for the fun to begin: endless litigation, political grandstanding, protesting and counter-protesting over who makes up these tests, what form they should take, which aspects of US history to emphasize, what counts as “science,” and so on.

      If anything ever comes of it, expect it to be way dumbed down.

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:48pm

      @GetLife

      Your analogy of driving has no logic…There is only one correct way to drive…You seem to forget Politics is partisan thru the eyes speaking…

      Answer this question you keep avoiding:
      Obama administration passes requirements that in order to vote one must pass a “Civic voter test”… 1st question: is America a capitalist country? 2nd question: should all get equal pay? 3rd question: Should Government provide for those in hard times…4th Question: Do you need a majority to pass bills in Congress… 5th question: does Freedom of speech allow you to say anything you like…Will your answers be the same as Obamas? 

      I’m sorry, if you leave it up to Government they will use it for power…The ability to vote regardless if your a non educated or a Phd is what has made America the beacon of LIBERTY….If I want to be a dumb rock, I can! Who are you to say I can’t choose that? 

      Your ?’s answer: none, all have politics and corruption…Why, because the government runs them silly…A consulate can be paid off, look into it it’s true…An Embassy will turn their back when times get tough or your not in their political views, has happened, and a passport wants to know if your stuff is cut now, enough said…

      Governments job isn’t to make you anything, that’s your job as an individual…If you give government this role you will end up with little Drones…Example: German leader and his youth! 

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 3:55pm

      @GetLife

      Alright it posted…

      So I ask for you to articulate your position….I ask these 3 simple questions: 

      1). Where is it in the Constitution for this power?
      2). Who writes and overseas these tests? 
      3). What is the benefit? 

      Again, clearly articulate your position…Say what you mean…

      Clearly, I believe in the Constitution, limited powers of Government, and the power of the individual to choose…I look forward to hearing yours…

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 6:52pm

      Hey OKIE I’m back ! First want to comment to DRACO that I enjoyed the post, and while I get the point, there are of course elaborate ‘test’ systems already in place to make sure that there is little power or influence (=“voting”) in these areas without knowledge.

      Not difficult to pass our hypothetical voter civics test, Okie. Simple, SIMPLE stuff. Your kid goes down to city hall, picks up a copy of your state’s “Constitution Handbook” and goes HOME to read and discuss with YOU. (like the rules of the road: FACTUAL– Your sample questions up there are more like what really happens in high school Civics classes….)

      All sides would have equal interest in creating as many voters as possible, so it would be basic– Just enough to know you can read the paper that the Acorn junkie at your door wants you to sign. Just enough to know that just because you get on that Acorn bus, doesn’t mean you have to vote for you-know-who. Hopefully enough to be able to recognize when a president is usurping power. (separation and balance of powers) It’s all about what people have a right to know to be able to make their own choices.

      And I still vote for my driver’s license analogy. When your actions can affect the freedom and well-being of others, the state has a responsibility to make sure you know the rules. Are driver’s licenses in the Constitution? (Oh yeah, election issues are the states’ responsibilities–no possibility for WH intervention.)

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • Redhandpaddy
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 7:26pm

      If anyont thinks that this is not the result that our Democrat voting, hand out taking, theiving from the public purse public school teachers and those of the same ilk intended, then think again. Any truthful teaching about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights contained within it and about real, not socialist revisionist American history, would be the death knell of the Democratic Party and thus the money laundering that takes place as beteen the Democratic Party and the teachers unions.

      Report Post »  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 7:35pm

      Okie, we can discuss this again as elections near, and we see the manipulations start. If we as individuals don’t bring in solutions to the current ignorance, the left will do nothing. They are encouraging disregard for the Constitution and the situation is dire. You got a better idea? Much of government is still made by and for the people…knock yourself out.

      Signing off from many time zones away :)

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 9:45pm

      @GetLife

      You want to give Government power..

      I do not…

      I believe it’s my job

      You believe it’s Government…

      That’s the facts here for everyone to see…

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on May 7, 2011 at 11:12pm

      @GETLIFE
      @OKIE

      Just got back from a long day.
      Glad to see the discussion kept moving without me.
      Okie, I agree with much you say. I am no fan of big gov. But I hate what the left is doing to us more, and I hope there are enough young being taught what needs to be known.

      GETLIFE, thanks for expressing my thoughts better than I managed to.

      Will be looking forward to more discussions.

      Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 8, 2011 at 12:15am

      @GetLife

      After a good day with the family I am back to hopefully articulate my views clearer and explain why we are in disagreement.

      Driving is not a right, it is a privilege….When you turn voting into a privilege you no longer have a democratic republic……You have those who can and those who can not…Elites and non elites…Sound familiar? 

       ”Your sample questions up there are more like what really happens in high school Civics classes….)”…Yes they are and we agree on that…Who runs Civics classes, Government so why could the same not happen with this proposed test? It can…

      This next phrase has me worried:
      “It’s all about what people have a right to know to be able to make their own choices.” 
      When did individuals have a right to know? Isn’t knowledge a privilege depending on what an individual decides to learn or not learn? When did Government begin creating rights? Same as creating a “right” to healthcare, isn’t it? A Constitution can be found at any Library or online….

      “When your actions can affect the freedom and well-being of others, the state has a responsibility to make sure you know the rules.”

      Wow….Your saying it is the State’s job to “Nanny” for the collective…Your same logic is used today for planned parenthood….This is Progressive whether you realize it or not…

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 8, 2011 at 12:20am

      Continued:
      Yes GetLife, it is the individuals responsibility to keep this a Republic…It is not Governments…The reason we have had the falling away from our Constitutional Republic is because we Americans gave more and more responsibility to Government, our responsibility, which led to generation after generation falling asleep and not caring…

      If you want to help educate folks on what our Constitution is, and how our Government is suppose to work, create a non-profit group, start a business, be a leader and do it yourself…Your relying on Government, dependent on Government….

      GetLife, you do not need to give Government OUR responsibility…It will only make more go to sleep and this “test” would just result in A lower voting block, an elite group, in which I am also opposed….

      Solution: Go back to the Constitution…Take government out of everything it has not the power in accordance to the Constitution…Give people their responsibility back…It’s that simple…Those who want freedom will make it happen…Government will only make things worse as history has shown..

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • Okie from Muskogee
      Posted on May 8, 2011 at 12:30am

      @rightsofbilly
      @getlife

      Thank you both for the civil discussion….even if all three of us disagree, this is prime example of how our Government is to work, slow, long, and full of debate so that Truth will shine thru and to represent all…

      I again ask you both to look at your views in accordance to the Constitution your advocating a test for and see if your views are in agreement with the Constitution as I do not believe they are…

      I appreciate you both, even in disagreement….

      Report Post » Okie from Muskogee  
    • KICKILLEGALSOUT
      Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:53am

      That’s what happens when we have to learn about every other county and culture in the world except our own! Multiculturalism has failed! End foreign immigration to the US! Let a rise of US nationalism and patriotism take place so we get back to our roots and foundational principles our country was founded on!

      Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
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