Could You Pass the New US Citizenship Test?

Err... most U.S.-born citizens haven't even read the Constitution. It would be fun to have a nation-wide naturalization test and kick out all the people who flunk it whether they were born here or not. (Say goodbye to most of Congress.)

Conceptual questions and answers might require a higher level of education and greater English-language dexterity.

Is that a bad thing, or a good thing?

Conceptual questions and answers might require a higher level of education and greater English-language dexterity.

Uh, don't you think that was the intent of the test writers? To weed out the people they think the country won't benefit from? Instead of addressing the possibility these questions will intentionally set some applicants up for failure, why not demand to know *why* they're doing it and what they're going to do to *fix* it?

I'm willing to bet even the most die hard anti immigrant types couldn't pass this exam. Heck, the average American high school or college student couldn't either. It would be great to have Jay Leno or someone go out in public and see what people know. Results would be hilarious, as usual.

The ancestors of many of us would never have been allowed legal entry into the US if they were subject to today's regulations. I guess the current wave of immigrants are taking the test so that their ancestors can grow up without ever known or caring about such stuff, like the rest of us.

Don't even get me started. To late, I think before any body is allowed into this country they should have to be able to speak our native language. (Mohawk)

Well, people should fail the test. Isn't that the point in having a test?

Say goodbye to Sarah Palin, too. She could not name one other supreme court case besides roe v. wade.

I'm 15, and i can name 3 off the top of my head. Mrs. Palin, with all due respect, that is pathetic.

Compared to the old test this will be more of a challenge. I feel that citizen or non citizen, you would have to study much more for this new test.

The true Test for us would be to take the test without having seen the answers. I think we would be surprised how many answers we would get wrong or have to struggle to answer.

This new citizenship test will require much more studying time.

Say goodbye to Barack Obama. He doesn't even know how many states there are.

The 'say goodbye' game is too easy. Say goodbye to practically everyone. As long as people are told they need to know this stuff and can access the study materials it'd be fine..if they don't there's no way they'd pass. I wouldn't that's for sure..and if I study it and pass I'd forget the answers within a few years.

Also, besides the test you actually have to qualify to take it in the first place and that's even harder. A simple flow chart to see if you qualify:

http://www.reason.com/blog/show/128999.html

Hey Evil Pundit: was there ever a time you tried to be credible? Or did it start as just a minor thrill in being a non sequitur-prone contrarian, then morph, as you realized the satisfaction to be had in hit-and-run absurdities, into a fully-ripened troll identity? Do you have perspective on your evolution, or was it always, for you, about making anonymous barbs without purpose?

It's fascinating, either way.

This really isn't the problem. The problem is how much money it costs to immigrate.

So sorry, by the way, if the term evolution in any way distracted you from the central query. Call it "quasi-intelligent forward motion" if that's better.

@violet: I was replying to Michael Hunt's attack on Sarah Palin, in exactly the same terms.

But you knew that, of course. You just chose to ignore his post, and attack mine, because of your own political preferences.

Yeah, violet, not exactly classy.

The first few posts, except for Evil's were claptrap. Exams are meant to be hard. You study for them, and you may fail. If you fail, you don't get your citizenship. If you have little or no education, get some. You're in the land of opportunity, duh.

My country's citizenship questions are easier - how many maple leaves are on the flag?

@ted
Is it four? I'm thinking four.

lol.
No, just one. Maybe you`re thinking of the Maple Leafs flag.

Why is it unreasonable to set a high mark for people wanting to become citizens of the United States? You do realize that most countries in the world have similar requirements.

And I know it's difficult for someone on the Left to parse facts, but there is a difference between legal and illegal 'immigration'. Your average 'undocumented immigrant' has no interest at all in becoming a legal citizen. They just want to work in the US. Fact of the matter is that I'd love to work in Italy or England, but it's basically impossible. And if I get caught working illegally, I'll be deported or possibly jailed.

Know the difference....understand the context. Chances are you'll probably have to rethink your entire political thinking if you do.

Oh, and violet, you obviously lack basic facts...and it makes you look bad.

There is this site called You Tube on the internet that sometimes is a useful resource. You could also use Google to see if 'Evil Pundit' is just making things up or actually is being clever.

Although based on your verbiage, I'm positive you at least know how to use a thesaurus....just don't wear it out.

I wouldn't call it clever. Obama misspeaks once, and Evil Pundit goes on the road with his "57 states" comedy routine.

Oh, and don't feed the troll like I do.

Did anyone bother to take the quiz on that page? It combines some of the old questions with some of the new.

It was laughably easy, in any case. I got 100%... and I didn't even study. (I'm also not American.)

ahh, but you are now Neatoramawontsendmeapassword!
ha ha ha !

yunno, i'm sure there are some people in this forum who couldn't pass it. you guys aren't superior to each other, what's the contest? evil and violet have nothing better to do than argue with each other about who's political views are more correct... and others just ignore the blabber and make silly, fun comments worth reading and expanding upon. i have nothing against you guys (evil and violet) and i don't think either of you are correct on the basic fact that arguing your political stance is not something new to this election. keep it up, you'll get nowhere. and it's not a "left" thing (jean) to not understand what legal immigration is... it's usually an ignorance thing. has nothing to do with what "side" you tend to position yourself, although most people tend to gravitate towards one side or the other so they can blame the other side for all the problems. eh, i suppose it's human nature to be filled with unwarranted pride.

not saying there aren't REAL people out there who know what they're talking about, and not saying i'm any better than most people. just saying it's pointless to argue these subjects because really, where does it get us? not like our opinions matter anyway. the government has been trying for a week now to convince us that a $700billion bailout bill is necessary to "save" the economy. they have even changed the verbiage to make it sound like we would be rejecting a good idea: they call it the "rescue plan" now. just by changing it from 'bailout' to 'rescue' they are manipulating us. they had no problem with spending trillions without our consent, why do they need it to spend another $700 billion if they're gonna push it until it passes anyway? and BOTH SIDES agree to it, so who's the blame on this one?

wow.. a complete switch of topics. sorry, fellas.

No problem Mooncake. I was just indulging, in my post, a gut reaction to random anti-Obama non sequitors. I know I'm not neutral; I just had a moment when I let my yawn part override my diplomacy part.

It's never that I think Obama's some perfect answer or perfect person. It's just that the absurd contentions of the opposition sometimes get too ridiculous to ignore. I actually, while acknowledging my in-the-tankness for Obama, think that's fair.

@Jean: whatever facts are you referring to? That Obama doesn't know how many states there are? If so...um...okay. Good night and best wishes.

Aren't US high school students required to take American government? Don't students read any of the constitution in that class? I did 34 years ago), and the students I teach are required to read it, answer homework questions about it, discuss it, and take tests on it.