Will America Continue Down a Road of Ignorance and Demise?
By: Adam Busuttil
12-30-12
With
only 38% of Americans being able to name all three branches of government;
legislative, executive and judicial, it is no surprise that our liberties are
constantly being compromised and reduced from the original intention of our
founding fathers to protect this nation. In fact, 33% of American’s were unable
to name even 1 branch of government in the same study, which polled over 1200
people nationally. A more recent and larger study shows that 71% of people
received a failing grade with an average score of 49% on a basic 33 question
civic literacy quiz. In this study, those who have held elected office
positions even lacked basic civic knowledge with 43% unaware that the Electoral
College is a “constitutionally mandated assembly that elects the president”.
One out of five people who have held positions of elected office believes the
Electoral College "trains those aspiring for higher office" or
"was established to supervise the first televised presidential
debates." It is obvious that there is a severe epidemic of economic,
political and historical ignorance in our country.
Young
Americans reap the effects of this ignorant culture, as they are led by the
blind only to be soon abandoned in darkness. Recent reports from the National
Assessment of Education Progress are a clear example of this with just 13% of
high school seniors, 18% of eighth-graders and 22% of fourth-graders showing
“solid academic performance” in American history, which was the lowest scoring
category out of seven. Scores seen seven years prior are very similar.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan commented on the matter by saying “These
results tell us that, as a country, we are failing to provide children with a
high-quality, well-rounded education." Education experts report that a
heavy focus on reading and math under the federal “No Child Left Behind” law
has led to lagging performance in subjects such as history and science.
Educators say history is vital to students learning how to become better
citizens and understanding how the country's political and cultural systems
work. Students need to not only recognize leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.
and Abraham Lincoln, but also understand why they were essential to the
development of the country. This in itself is just one example of how federal
government is being permitted by its people to mislead our country’s future
while the vast majority simply except it or tune out. Former state schools
superintendent for West Virginia Steven Paine, said it well when speaking out
on the matter by saying; "Overall the quality and success of our lives can
only be enhanced by a study of our roots”.
In the
midst of this ignorance, more American’s watch NFL football than vote in the
presidential elections (approx. 63% in 2008), let alone follow or become active
in more important and influential local politics. A Recent study at Princeton
University found that most people judge a political candidates competency
within seconds of seeing their face, without any knowledge of the candidate’s
background or stance on important issues. This demonstrates that Americans at
large are not only ill informed and ignorant to politics, they also would
simply rather not be involved with politics, which is one of the easiest ways
to have our liberties fall to compromise and forfeit. If Americans don’t
understand the importance of their distinct liberties or are not familiar with
how difficult it was to achieve these inimitable liberties just two-hundred and
sum years ago, then it would make logical sense that they will not take heed to
exercise or defend their liberties.
Unfortunately
it is evident that years of this has already allowed for legislation to
compromise our liberties and mislead Americans for the worse. Some examples of
this are the Federal Reserve Act, the Patriot Act, the National Defense
Authorization Act, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, as well as, past
and current gun legislation, to name only a few. In fact Texas Congressman Ron
Paul stated today in his weekly update on his website; "Most legislation
violates key provisions of the Constitution in very basic ways". These unconstitutional
laws that get passed one by one are only part of a slow gradual process of
small steps, but all of which will sum to a large loss in the end. It has been
the common trend that many, if not all of these kinds of laws, get passed by
talking people into giving up liberties in times of tragedy and chaos, when
people are most vulnerable, in the name of safety, which cannot be obtained
through government. Many people are not only unaware of what these laws are
about and how greatly they impede and undermine our constitutional rights, but
also how this will play out and affect all of us by allowing the transfer of
power from citizens to government, putting the basic ideologies of our country
at risk.
What’s
even worse is many times when people do become informed on these issues, they
are faced with their own psychological defense system of denial and/or
avoidance. This occurs when a person is faced with a fact that is too
uncomfortable to accept and despite what may be overwhelming evidence; they
reject the matter, insist that it is not true, dismiss it, or perhaps in this
case even downplay the seriousness of the matter thinking it will not apply or
affect them. Without the ability to not only seek out, understand and accept
the facts, but also to act out effectively in response to them, America will continue
down a road of demise, compromised liberty and more government control, while
being fed the temporary illusion of progress and safety through government
legislation.
Sources:
Guardian of Democracy: The
Civic Mission of Schools.
2003. The Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics of the Annenberg Public Policy
Center at the University of Pennsylvania and the Campaign for the Civic Mission
of Schools. http://www.civicmissionofschools.org/the-campaign/guardian-of-democracy-report
Armario, , Christine. Report: Students don't know much about US history 'We are failing to provide children with a high-quality, well-rounded education'. 6/14/2011 Associated Press. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43397386/ns/us_news-life/t/report-students-dont-know-much-about-us-history/#.UN-E1qzNmU4
Study: Americans Don't Know Much About History There's an epidemic of historical and political
ignorance, says report. 1/26/09
NBC Southern California. http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Study-Americans-Dont-Know-About-Much-About-History.html
2 in 3 Adults Watch NFL. 10/14/11 Marketing Charts Staff. http://www.marketingcharts.com/television/2-in-3-adults-watch-nfl-19687/
Ron Paul’s New Year’s Message to Congress: Follow the Constitution. By: Ron Paul. 12/30/12 http://www.ronpaul.com/
Voter turnout. Wikipedia.
Denial. Wikipedia.
© 2012
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