Simpsons better known that Constitution in US

[Kajikit 65]

The only reason I know that 'freedom to bear arms' is not a first amendment right is because somebody said so here... (and because somebody else listed the 'actual' rights in a post. All of the poll options are 'real' rights and very similar answers, so it's not at all surprising that most people got it wrong. If you asked me before I read the thread I would have chosen the first answer...

[slim 1,525]

This quiz embodies the every-day American.

How can you call yourself an American and NOT be ignorant of something? Especially something as important as the US Constitution. That's what makes us truly American, after all.

I was watching the Golden Child (Eddie Murphy...c/1986?) again the other day (awesome movie... even still!) and one thing that really grabbed my attention was when the old dude in Tibet said "Ah, those Americans.... so much power... so little understanding about what to do with it."

He couldn't have said it better.

An interesting side note here though.... More kids around the world can identify Joe Camel than Mickey Mouse. Does that mean they're being raised without "children's" characters and subjected to "adult" standards more than their American counterparts? NO! It means someone had the funding to take a poll and get the results they were looking for. Otherwise, why take a poll?

[almaty 19]

the Simpsons are more relevant these days that the constitutuion.

[slim 1,525]

the Simpsons are more relevant these days that the constitutuion.

That's true, not even our President could tell you what's in the 4th Amendment.

[ace13 0]

the Simpsons are more relevant these days that the constitutuion.

That's true, not even our President could tell you what's in the 4th Amendment.

It isn't more relevant...it is that people have seen the Simpsons on TV everyday for the last 20 years. I bet there isn't a show on TV about the Amendments that has been on TV every day for the last 20 years

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

All of the poll options are 'real' rights...

That being so, would you mind helping an immigrant out and point to the section where the Bill of Rights discusses the 'pursuit of happiness'?

Freedom to vote, bear arms, pursue happiness, peacefully assemble and to enjoy due process

[almaty 19]

the Simpsons are more relevant these days that the constitutuion.

That's true, not even our President could tell you what's in the 4th Amendment.

you are a right thinking type of guy

[Miranda&James 8]

the Simpsons are more relevant these days that the constitutuion.

That's true, not even our President could tell you what's in the 4th Amendment.

It isn't more relevant...it is that people have seen the Simpsons on TV everyday for the last 20 years. I bet there isn't a show on TV about the Amendments that has been on TV every day for the last 20 years

That's exactly what my coworker just said.

And it isn't that all Americans or ignorant, every human being on this earth is ignorant about SOMETHING we assume should be common knowledge. I would say most people don't watch the news and see stuff about right to bear arms, etc, so they go with what looks familiar on tests like that and they all do. They were making the quiz with an idea in mind already about the results they would good (hence the disclaimer that this quiz is NOT scientifically valid). So, if it isn't valid, it doesn't mean squat in reality.

[Fandango 1,439]

I think it's the fact that most native-born Americans take these freedoms for granted. And immigrants come from all over the place...and many come from places where these freedoms aren't automatic.

It's like a rich kid/poor kid thing....most rich kids growing up don't have the sense of a dollar's value, whereas the poor kid would cherish it more because it don't come as easy.

[Kajikit 65]

All of the poll options are 'real' rights...

That being so, would you mind helping an immigrant out and point to the section where the Bill of Rights discusses the 'pursuit of happiness'?

Freedom to vote, bear arms, pursue happiness, peacefully assemble and to enjoy due process

Didn't look closely enough to notice it...

[KarenCee 3]

God, this is so sad. Ewen and I were running through some naturalization questions over the weekend, and I think he got more of them right than a lot of Americans would.

One of our teachers' kids did a research paper on the US Citizenship questions, and she wanted some of the teachers in our system to participate, and several did. The results were astounding....many of those that participated failed the test. Makes ya wonder.....

[daisy16 0]

The persuit of happiness is in the Declaration of Independence.

I know this! B) I had an exam on Tuesday in my American Government class. For the record, I know FAR more about American government than the kids in the class. I figure it's all those episodes of Law & Order and West Wing

Briefly, the bill of rights, from memory:

I Individual Freedoms (already posted)

II Right to bear arms

III No Quartering of Troops

IV Rights of Privacy (Roe v Wade goes here)

V Rights of the Accused (double jeapardy, self incrimination, grand jury )

VI Rights of the Charged (unbiased jury, speedy and public trial, subpoena witnesses, facing accusers)

VII Right to have a Jury in a Civil Trial

VIII Rights of bail and no unusual punishment (death penalty issues here)

IX & X I don't remember exactly, but one has to do with the rights that the states take care of.

[mikeize 0]

I plead the 1st.

-mike

[silvanski 1]

Homer Simpson for president