TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross

Are we really that dumb? Is it our fault?

April 27, 2012 @ 8:14 am (Updated: 9:02 am - 4/27/12 )

spaceneedle
The passing rate on the immigration test among Americans who were born here might shock you. (AP Photo)

In Cincinnati, Xavier University gave the immigration test to a sampling of native born Americans, and this will shock you:

The passing rate among Americans who were born here, passing means getting six out of ten correct, was 66 percent among natives.

Among natives who had a high school education or less, the pass rate was 44 percent. A spokesman from Xavier found that pathetic.

"Whether you go to college or not shouldn't matter. If you went to grade school, you should be able to answer many of these questions," said the spokesman.

Most people could name the president, they know why the flag has fifty stars, but naming the chief justice, their own governor, defining "rule of law" -- those were stumpers.

Oh and this one stumped them too:

"What did they do at the Constitutional Convention? Which is pretty much a giveaway."

And 62 percent blew that one.

But that's because they don't care. It doesn't affect their lives.

Plus the attack ads have us thinking that everyone who runs for office is a jerk anyway. However, we will pay attention to civic matters if they're interesting.

For example, I'll bet everybody can name the agency who's job it is to protect the president. I'll bet they can even name the Latin American country the president just visited.

And OK, maybe we don't know what happened at the Constitutional Convention, but being that it was a convention, and it brought in a bunch of men visiting from out of town, I bet we could tell you what happened after the Constitutional Convention. Ask us that sometime.

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  • ron prevost wrote...
    those who do not remember history............................
    April 27, 2012 7:43 am
    probably graduated from high school, anyway. ............................. Facetiousness aside, Dave, you assume people don't know because these things matter nothing to their daily lives. Partly true, but largely also because schools think almost anything, like cultural diversity and self esteem are more important. Also, if you don't know history or civics, it is a lot easier to reinvent the wheel when running the State or Federal government - and convincing us that 'square' rolls just fine. ...................................... ...................... Of course, it's not just history. Ask the average American about Othello - or Through the Looking Glass - or Gilbert & Sullivan - or even the Wizard of Oz, and you will get similar results. Lack of knowledge leads not only to stupidity, but very boring lives. ......................................... And, Dave, in another few days, you and I will be the only ones left who GET your Escort Gate jokes.
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  • delvin wrote...
    Dave R-the "greatest generation might not have done much better-the test results are not the big problem
    April 27, 2012 5:39 pm
    The sense of entitlement is the huge problem that is going to kick the collective but of this country. I have seen up close the difference of kids raised to work and study hard vs the kids of welfare/food stamps and subsidized housing. These are white kids so forget about calling me a racist. Lefties like you have completly missed this. I think less guitar playing and singing is required for you 60's wishfull unrealist. (from an independent voter) The greatest generation could outsurvive the current population and it wouldn't be pretty.
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  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    My oldest son is a sophmore in HS.
    April 27, 2012 8:06 am
    NEXT YEAR they will be studying American history. This will be the first time he has received any in-depth, formal education on the topic.

    On the other hand, he can go on for hours citing examples of why Islam has been oppressed by Christianity for centuries.

    Somehting tells me that will not change in higher education.

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  • messiah101 wrote...
    Krazy Town
    April 27, 2012 8:06 pm
    "Somehting" tells me that you failed 2nd grade. I have a feeling that you son took it upon himself to study up on a subject that interested him.Educations purpose is to get you thinking not to teach you dates,and who was President in 1822.Hopefully you and your son engage in the topic about his feelings that Islam has been oppressed by Christianity for centuries and you express your feelings on the subject, maybe you will both learn something from each other
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  • kirk91 wrote...
    rule of law
    April 27, 2012 8:08 am
    The rule of law no longer exists in this country, so it really doesn't matter what it once meant.
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  • kata wrote...
    Why care about being educated about politics?
    April 27, 2012 8:18 am
    It's just Red Vs. Blue cage matches now. Facts are pointless.
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  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    It does not surprise me
    April 27, 2012 8:21 am
    They have lowered the standards every year for going on 10 - 15 years or more. Instituted social passing as to not bruise egos (Ive seen this first hand, a child lived next door and went to schoo with my daughter and never passed a single grade but graduated and now lives off welfare).

    The schools now teach more on why we are bad, than what is good about the USA. We allow everyone to dictate what we can and cannot teach. We remove any thing that MIGHT make someone upset and rewrite history to appease a small amount of people

    And now people are wondering why our kids are not knowledgeable about anything and why the USA is falling fast in math/science and general intelligence in the world.

    Ye Sow what Ye Reap.

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  • spuddog wrote...
    "Ye Sow what Ye Reap"??
    April 27, 2012 11:35 am
    Nice try. And most of what you say in your post about schools is baloney (another word comes to mind, but I'll stick with baloney).
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    Rick W stated
    April 28, 2012 5:44 am
    "That schools now teach more on why we are bad,than what is good about the USA" then said "We remove anything that MIGHT make someone upset". Well Rick obviously you have no idea what your talking about (as usual) because you just contradicted yourself
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  • CH wrote...
    Lack of knowledge leads not only to stupidity . . . .
    April 27, 2012 8:24 am
    the New GOP.
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  • Sportfisher wrote...
    CH
    April 27, 2012 8:03 pm
    You are such a lugnut. Having just met a woman, who is union member, democrat and a faithful listener to Dr. Laura, I am convinced Democrats do not know what the party really stands for. She will be a republican by election day. She complains about the break up of the family, crime and stupid stuff that people do. She has no credit card debt. How could she really think she has anything in common with the Democrat party?
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  • mnpat wrote...
    You say...."Are we really that dumb?"
    April 27, 2012 8:29 am
    Well, the social liberal experiment sure is doing it's best to make us all that way...and you are a large part in the assist.
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  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Our Predominate culture
    April 27, 2012 9:00 am
    Hip Hop urban street dumb by design.
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  • mpgunner wrote...
    Dave is getting dumber...
    April 27, 2012 9:17 am
    I'm sure most of you have noticed that topics Dave and Luke DON'T talk about now. Like, 1) The budget 2) Obama's daily performance and lack of leadership. 3) The economy.., But, a topic like Palin, any republican gets to the top of the list. I think Dave has been secretly replaced...
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  • delvin wrote...
    mpgunner-you are so right-with europe imploding, Chicago,CA and blue states all falling to pieces, clear and obvious problems with Obamacare and a 16T debt that one day will be very harmfull to the nanny state dependents, Dave and Luke
    April 27, 2012 7:14 pm
    talk about metrosexual stuff, lattes, pop culture and silly stuff the View has for topics. One day Dave R, retired, sitting on his porch will regret that he never used his position to truly educate people to the real challenges the US faces. Dori M will relax and nap because he was a watch dog regarding corrupt gov and the insanity of political correctness. He fought for fairness, Dave for for white wine drinking Seattle glib types who are all talk and very little action.
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  • HLC wrote...
    The democratic party is a hate group.
    April 27, 2012 9:18 am
    The largest in the country. They must be implants from the soviet union.
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