The Perils of Not Knowing Civics 101

By Tom Morrow

Two years ago discussing the need for basic knowledge of civics, I wrote: “Within the next 20 years, our nation will be in serious trouble.” Forget two decades. The peril is here and now.
You may recall what Abraham Lincoln said as the Civil War began: “A house divided cannot stand.” As each national election passes it would seem, as a nation, we are truly becoming a “house divided.”
The World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans and most of their families soon will be gone. Why is that important? They represent the last of our society who received a somewhat rounded civics education, witnessed the effects of geopolitics, and had an understanding of basic American citizenship. If they didn’t learn it in school or college, the military did a pretty good job of filling in what might have been overlooked in class during elementary and high school.
For those in today’s society under 40 years of age, most received no, or hardly any basics in American history, civics, and world geography. Ask any from this age group if they can answer simple questions immigrants receive when they are going through their citizenship test routine and you might be shocked at the answers or lack thereof you may receive.
We have college students today who can’t name their Congresstional representatives in Washington D.C., how many members make up the U.S. Senate, who’s the vice president, in what city is their state capital, where is the United Nations building, or name at least three of our founding fathers. What’s the difference between a “democracy” and a “republic?”
How many of last summer’s protesters, especially the ones destructing private property and tearing down statues, had a few basic lessons in civics?
Sadly, too many from our latest generations haven’t a clue as to how our government works and what significance it has played in global politics. The American form of government is the first “democratic republic” to be created – and is still in existence.
Students of today have important tasks to do as voting citizens. They need to understand our Bill of Rights, and what prompted Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. Why did we fight World War II – and more importantly – who won? It might be interesting to find out just how many of those recent protesters are newly  naturalized citizens. Before being sworn in as citizens, they have to pass a test asking many questions about our country, government and history – things our native-born students of today don’t get.
Now, you might think these are exaggerated questions, but try posing some of them to our native young and middle-aged people of today.
It is surprising, maybe even shocking, the lack of civic education our schools and colleges of today fail to provide students about our government and citizenship … Basic Civics 101. Simple things like … what is a “republic?” The difference between a democratic government and one that is a monarch or a fascist dictatorship. How many people in today’s society know what the “Electoral College” is and what importance it played in the elections of 2000 and 2016.
Remember this: Young people today will be in charge of the nation’s purse strings of tomorrow. They will be, or already are, voting. Wouldn’t you like for them to know what they’re doing?
Today’s young people don’t know what they don’t know.
TEST YOURSELF — To test yourself and anyone else you might want to query, try the below – all are from the basic citizenship test given to all immigrants before becoming naturalized U.S. citizens. Every voter should be able to answer at least half of these basic questions.

1. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
2. What is freedom of religion?
3. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
4. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
5. What is the political party of the President now?
6. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
7. What is a Constitutional amendment?
8. Who makes “Federal” laws?
9. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
10. Name one U.S. territory.
11. Who was President during World War I?
12. At whom was the Declaration of Independence aimed?
13. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
14. How many states make up the United States?
15. What is the supreme law of the land?

SCAG SEZ: A not-too-bright neighbor keeps complaining about being in debt over his head. I’d like to tell him it’s because he didn’t use it. – Cecil Scaglione, Mature Life Features.