An Annenberg Public Policy Center has revealed that only 36 percent of Americans can name all three branches of the U.S. federal government — Legislative, Executive, and Judicial — and 35 percent ?could not name a single one?. Perhaps worse (they’re both bad….), over half of Americans don’t know which political parties control the House and Senate.
?Although surveys reflect disapproval of the way Congress, the President and the Supreme Court are conducting their affairs, the Annenberg survey demonstrates that many know surprisingly little about these branches of government,? Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, said in a statement.
From the survey:
- While little more than a third of respondents (36 percent) could name all three branches of the U.S. government, just as many (35 percent) could not name a single one.
- Over half of Americans don’t know which political parties control the House and Senate.
- Just over a quarter of Americans (27 percent) know it takes a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate to override a presidential veto.
- One in five Americans (21 percent) incorrectly thinks that a 5-4 Supreme Court decision is sent back to Congress for reconsideration.
There are groups that are working to resolve this issue, however.
Other groups, like the Civics Renewal Network, are pushing to include more civics education in high schools by requiring students to pass the same citizenship test that immigrants do when they come to the U.S. That group will introduce legislation in seven states that would require passage of the citizenship test before graduating.
Here is the Schoolhouse Rock video for you to share among your friends so that they will be “in the know.” I already know that all of our smart Liberal Americans know these things!
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h/t The Washington Post via Mediaite
Survey methodology and data.
Tiffany Willis is the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
