The 'C' Test

 

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

- Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America

Recently the conversation around our house got around to the test for citizenship.  From time to time the media asks the average person on the street questions from the test to see how they will do.  Usually they do poorly, or so the media reports.

Naturally I became a bit curious, so after going online I quickly found our helpful government not only provides the questions on a website, but also the answers.  There are 100 questions, of which an applicant will be asked 10 questions.  A score of 6 of the 10 questions is required to pass.

One example of the questions is, “Name your U.S. Representative.”  In the spirit of full disclosure, I had it wrong.  The only thing I knew for sure is that it wasn’t Steve King, because he’s a slimy little fascist, so I remember his name.  Turns out to be Tom Latham (3^rd District), sort of the Dilbert of Iowa politics.  No wonder I couldn’t remember who it was!

Question 12 is a good one, everyone please remember this. Including you, Governor B.  “What is ‘the rule of law?’”  The answer is worded 4 different ways to make sure it is understood.

“Everyone must follow the law.”

“Leaders must obey the law.”

“Government must obey the law.”

“No one is above the law.”

So get out your Hi-Liter and mark your favorite format.

Now here are some of the tricky ones.  See how many of these 10 you get right.  Answers at the bottom.  No cheating.

The Tough Ten

1. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

2. When was the Constitution written?

3. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

4. How many amendments does the Constitution have?

5. Who was President during World War I?

6. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

7. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

8. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

9. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

10. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

It’s easy to understand why some of the questions are on the list.  It is important to know who your Representatives are in Congress, so you know who to blame.  Then of course is question #56, which I am sure they ask everyone.  “When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?”  If you can’t answer that one, you’re in trouble!

The test does have a variety of subjects.  The first section is American Government.  Subsections include Principles of American Democracy, System of Government, and Rights and Responsibilities. In one man’s humble opinion this is the only section that really matters.

The next section is on “American History”, with subsections on Colonial Period and Independence, 1800s,  and “Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information.”  Which begs the question, does the citizenship test for Italy go all the way back to Romulus and Remus?  Or just to the time of the Charlemagne.  Either way, that would be a tough one to study for!

For the final section the category is “Integrated Civics”.  Kind of the “potpourri” of citizenship.  This section covers rivers and oceans, the symbolism of the American flag, who our neighbors are, and federal holidays.  All facts that are also important “must know” information!

The test does include a couple of questions about the States, such as: name one power that belongs to the States, what is the capital of your State, and who is the Governor of your State.  My response to the final question was Terry “Re-Tread” Branstad.  I think I should get extra credit for that one.

Not that anyone asked, but I do have a few suggestions for questions, things every American citizen should know.  What is the correct way to use a four-way stop?  When walking your dog or other pet on a public sidewalk, what is the correct way to dispose of the waste?  Name at least one Chevy Chase movie.

Some of the questions are marked with an asterisk.  Upon reading the footer of each page, one discovers that persons 65 years old or older who have been a legal permanent resident for 20 years or more only need to study select questions.

If you fall into this select group they will not ask you “What does the Constitution do?”  They will not ask you who the Vice President is, however they may ask you who the President is.  Although you need to know who the President is, you don’t need to know who signs bills to become law, or who vetoes bills.  In case you didn’t study, both are powers of the President.

There are some unfortunate omissions from the test.  Not one single question about American Idol, the Grammy Awards, or Madonna.  Not even the Golden Globe Awards.  Where are their priorities?

While the test does list several questions in regards to the Supreme Court, I have been unable to find a reference to Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, or Judge Reinhold.  Someone needs to be taken to task for that.

Like all tests I find myself wanting to debate certain answers.  For example, in the question about the powers of congress the answer “approve crushing debt” is not listed among the correct responses.  Yet if one reads the Constitution you will find in Article I, Section 8 – Powers of Congress, “To borrow money on the credit of the United States;”

Oddly, this power is not listed in the Constitution under those of the President.  He just gets the blame.

However I will not argue with question #1 on the test.  It is arguably the single most important thing that every American should know.  If you are a new citizen of this country or if your most distant ancestors came here across an ice bridge, remember this question and it’s answer.

Question 1: “What is the supreme law of the land?”

Answer: “the Constitution”

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Answers to the tough 10:

1. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Publius

2. 1787

3. John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.)

4. 27

5. (Woodrow) Wilson

6. (Franklin) Roosevelt

7. The Speaker of the House of Representatives

8. (John) Boehner

9. 435

10. Louisiana (Territory)