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Topic: I find it disturbing that over 50% of Americans cannot pass the civics test. |
As I'm clicking through my photo albums like I do on occasion, I came across the images of my naturalization ceremony. I wasn't born in the states. I came here when I was around 3 years old and when I turned 18 I promptly took the required civics test, and then attended the ceremony with around 40 others.
I scored a perfect score on my civics test, and I still remember that the woman who administered the test to me said that most Americans would not pass if it was given to them as a pop quiz.
It makes me wonder...if so many Americans are so ignorant about basic governmental processes, what is their level of understanding when they vote for candidates, propositions and bills?
Date: 02/15 7:33am
Nil. Most Americans vote for whoever people tell them to vote for. Many votes are based solely on peer pressure and biased opinions. Which is why I don't vote. I know they say "Every vote counts," and "your vote can make a difference," but let's be serious for a minute. I live in Illinois, where we have Chicago. Chicago constitutes a majority of citizens who reside in Illinois, and the majority of those located in, around, or near Chicago, are typically Democrats. If all those who reside in Chicago voted Democratic, and the rest of the state voted Republican, the majority would still be Democratic, and the 20 or so Electoral College votes would go to the Democratic Party. Take for example, the past 5 elections:
2008: Barak Obama
2004: John Kerry
2000: Al Gore
1996: Bill Clinton
1992: Bill Clinton All Democrats. The last time Illinois voted Republican was in 1988, for George Bush Sr. I'm no statistician, but I think it would be safe to assume that in 2012, Illinois will more than likely vote Democrat. Which means, whether I vote Democrat or Republican, Illinois' 20 or so Electoral Votes are going to the Democratic Party regardless. From the 1984 Election. Here's an example of what I mean by Chicago contributing almost all the votes. Nearly the entire state voted Republican. Cook County (Chicago), accompanied by a few negligible counties, voted Democratic, yet they were still only several hundred thousand away from being the popular vote. http://majorindulgence.com/u/40
2004: John Kerry
2000: Al Gore
1996: Bill Clinton
1992: Bill Clinton All Democrats. The last time Illinois voted Republican was in 1988, for George Bush Sr. I'm no statistician, but I think it would be safe to assume that in 2012, Illinois will more than likely vote Democrat. Which means, whether I vote Democrat or Republican, Illinois' 20 or so Electoral Votes are going to the Democratic Party regardless. From the 1984 Election. Here's an example of what I mean by Chicago contributing almost all the votes. Nearly the entire state voted Republican. Cook County (Chicago), accompanied by a few negligible counties, voted Democratic, yet they were still only several hundred thousand away from being the popular vote. http://majorindulgence.com/u/40
Date: 02/15 2:22pm | Edited: TimothyZhu
If it's a matter of convenience, you should sign up for absentee ballots for voting. I didn't want to wait in line.
Still better to vote even if you're a definitely blue state or red state.
Date: 02/16 3:36am