home

Teaching the Constitution

by TChris

Although some disagree, many people, including the Secretary of Education, emphasize the importance of teaching science and math so that the United States can continue to compete in technology-driven markets. Just as important to the functioning of a constitutional democracy, however, is an understanding of the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Judging by the nation's vast ignorance in that regard, schools need to do better.

What are the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment? Most people just don't know. Here's a clue: driving a car (which wasn't a popular activity when the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution) and owning a pet are not among them.

Half of 1,000 Americans randomly surveyed by the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum could name at least two of the five members of Fox Television's Simpson family, the stars of the network's long-running show.

But just 28 percent of respondents could name more than one of the five freedoms listed in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment -- about the same proportion that could name all five Simpson family members or could recall the three judges on Fox TV's top-rated "American Idol." Just 8 percent could recall three First Amendment freedoms.

Granted, the right to petition for redress of grievances is a mouthful, but it's a bit shocking to think that most people can't recall that they live in a country that guarantees freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly -- or even two of those rights. Perhaps that's why so many are so complacent about our fundamental rights: they've never learned what they mean, or why they're at least as important as The Simpsons.

< Guantanamo Tribunals: What's Torture? | Ten Senators Vote Against Patriot Act >
  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


  • Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#1)
    by Johnny on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 03:49:47 PM EST
    A friend of mine, a former cop, explained to me that the best weapon thay gad against people was that people, by and large, are ignorant of their rights. The fact that the majprity of americans (quick, wrong-wingers, blame this poll's results on not enough republicans being represented LMFAO), is a nice bonus of the American style of compulsory schooling, with regards to politicians passing idiotic legislation such as the so-called "Patriot Act".

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#2)
    by Lww on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 04:14:54 PM EST
    I doubt the "idiots" who go to WWF matches or watch the Academy Awards are all republicans. Most of the "idiots" don't vote anyway and if they do they don't vote republican. So much for your idea of "idiots."

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#3)
    by Steven Sanderson on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 04:16:36 PM EST
    During the past century people on numerous occaisions have put the Bill of Rights into petition form and attempted to get their fellow citizens to read and sign the petition. Very few people sign, most refuse. Those who've refused to sign have made various comments about the "petition" being communist, unAmerican, extremist, etc. The ignorance is both astonishing and frightening.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#4)
    by Johnny on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 04:55:26 PM EST
    LWW, who's idea of idiots? Where did that inflammatory term come from? Someone grab your eggo this afternoon?

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#5)
    by Lww on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 05:17:27 PM EST
    Lets call them ignorant? You know who we're talking about. Wrestling fans, people who watch Jerry Springer. That's all I'm saying.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#6)
    by jimcee on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 05:37:06 PM EST
    Many respondents to this site could use a primer in the Constitution.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 07:25:00 PM EST
    Lets call them ignorant? You know who we're talking about. Wrestling fans, people who watch Jerry Springer. That's all I'm saying.
    Yeah, republicans. Posted by jimcee March 2, 2006 06:37 PM
    Many respondents to this site could use a primer in the Constitution.
    Mirror mirror on the wall...

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#8)
    by mpower1952 on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 07:41:49 PM EST
    I picked up on this story yesterday and wrote a diary at DailyKos. It's called Mnenomics Rescues the 1st Amendment. The idea is to come up with a mnemonic device to teach the 5 freedoms guaranteed in the 1st Amendment. I got several comments with some good ideas. I'm going to take the best and send them on to the McCormick Museum and hope they pick up on the idea. Mnemonics really do help, especially with kids in school, (and with us forgetful adults too). So what do you think of : Rights Strengthen Patriotic American People = Religion Speech Petition Assembly Press Check the link for more and leave some ideas there or post them here if it's ok with Jeralyn

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#9)
    by Che's Lounge on Thu Mar 02, 2006 at 10:52:20 PM EST
    LWW, I was going to let you slide til I saw your "idiots" remark on another thread. Go back and read Johnny's comment again and tell me where he called anyone idiots. He referred to idiotic legislation. You selected that word out, slapped some quotation marks around it and started flinging it around like a chimp with his own poo. It is easy to see Johnny's point of view is. If you can't debate him, at least you could "quote" him truthfully.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 06:09:21 AM EST
    Once again I agree with TChris. Shocka! I am all over teaching the consititution in school. That and an basic course on economics. teach people how to balance a checkbook, credit risks, fiscal responsiblity, etc. Just think, people armed with knowledge of both the constitution and they know how the monetary system works. Why there would be a uprising against the vast wasteful social programs and their questionable constitutionality. Why that could reduce a persons dependence on the gov't for every facet of their lives. People off welfare! imagine that. The schools could eliminate courses like teaching evolution or multiculturalism.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#11)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 06:25:19 AM EST
    I'd have every kid in public schools reciting the Bill of Rights every morning instead of the pledge. My niece in 1st grade has taken to reading like white on rice. The last bedtime story we read together was the Bill of Rights, as I explained the meaning and importance of freedom as we went. It's up to parents and family to make sure the youth don't lose sight of the point of this grand experiment called the USA...the freedom. Public schools are too worried about standardized tests to bother.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#12)
    by Che's Lounge on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 07:39:12 AM EST
    Kdog, Nice that someone remembers that G. Washington also called the formation of our government an "experiment" (his word). IMHO I don't believe that the founders would have allowed the US government, in it's current incarnation, to continue.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#13)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 07:48:34 AM EST
    I hear that Che...Tommy, George, Ben and the boys would be on the WH lawn with torches and pitchforks if they were around today.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#14)
    by Slado on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 09:28:41 AM EST
    Lets all stop freaking out over this constitution buisness. If you've ever watched Jay leno you'd realize that "most" americans can't tell you who Dick Cheney is (till last week anyway) and don't know how many senators there are or how long the president is even in office. The reason. Because it doesn't interest them. You can force this stuff down their throats all day long but it will be in one ear and out the other because unlike us wackos who love politcs, the law and spouting off the real issue is "most" americans are more worried about what car they drive then their right to assembly.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 11:16:26 AM EST
    Kdog... Public schools are too worried about standardized tests to bother I agree 100%. Also (in this politically correct world) they are "overly" concerned with 'ideotic' things like how kids dress, making sure illegals are taught spanish....etc. And my question is... what political party has pushed this type "ideotic" school egenda? I think we both know. Mayby if geography teachers acually taught geography and didn't spend their hour class ripping on GW's policies, the kids might actually learn stuff?

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#16)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 12:03:05 PM EST
    And my question is... what political party has pushed this type "ideotic" school egenda? I think we both know.
    Plenty of blame to go round BB ol buddy. The distractions of prayer and "intel design" fall on the right. Banning the great American novel "Huckleberry Finn" over PC BS falls on the left. Both sides seem to believe "test passing" is more important than learning why exactly this nation was founded. The "common sense" party needs to run the schools:)

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#17)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 12:29:10 PM EST
    Wile E. said:
    there would be a uprising against the vast wasteful social programs and their questionable constitutionality
    Ahem. Social Programs like EDUCATION for instance?

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#18)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 12:37:02 PM EST
    I agree with Slado - both about us TL'ers being wackos and about most American's worries. 'Tis the blunt truth.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#19)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 01:05:15 PM EST
    I agree 100%. Also (in this politically correct world) they are "overly" concerned with 'ideotic' things like how kids dress, making sure illegals are taught spanish....etc. And my question is... what political party has pushed this type "ideotic" school egenda? I think we both know. Mayby if geography teachers acually taught geography and didn't spend their hour class ripping on GW's policies, the kids might actually learn stuff?
    Yeah, I think we know alright. Looks like GW might want to institute a policy on teaching those kids how to teach mommy and daddy how to spell at a third grade level. Pronto. Did it ever occur to you that it might be handy later in life for a kid named Brian Butler to learn and become fluent in Spanish at a young age? Do you think this Economy is going to become less Global 25-30 years from now? Assuming, that is, Bush's policies don't screw up the Geography, melt the Polar Ice Caps and turn my Vermont Hill into ocean front property.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#20)
    by HK on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 01:33:28 PM EST
    You can force this stuff down their throats all day long but it will be in one ear and out the other because unlike us wackos who love politcs, the law and spouting off the real issue is "most" americans are more worried about what car they drive then their right to assembly.
    Point taken, Slado, and I agree...but just because we are likely to have limited success in trying to make positive change, does that mean we shouldn't try in the first place? If the balance can be redressed somewhat, although not completely, isn't it worth the effort? At the very least, it would mean there would be more 'wackos' to debate with us ;)

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#21)
    by kdog on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 04:18:54 PM EST
    Here's to the wacko phenomenon taking hold from sea to shining sea!

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#22)
    by jimcee on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 07:02:06 PM EST
    So Chuckie is back! and he can spell!! and He lives on a hill in Vermont!!! A down right Yankee American Gothic!!!! And He is sooooooo smart. Oh wait I meant smarmy. What a dink. With apologies to TL. Please delete if it is too crude.

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#23)
    by Johnny on Fri Mar 03, 2006 at 11:52:19 PM EST
    And heeeeeere's Jimcee with absolutely nothing of any worth to contribute! The funniest thing about all this crap, is that most people are completely willing to sacrifice freedoms, one after the other, and sit back smugly and say "well, at least we are winning the WOT" LMAO BB, I know you love the idea that educating people will eliminate liberalism, but look around...

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#24)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Mar 04, 2006 at 07:43:40 AM EST
    Sadly, Slado is right. But I'll take the wacko label any day rather that succumb to what the majority of americans feel are the correct priorities. Oscars, Amer. Idol, Paris Hilton, JJ's boob, yellow ribbons, H3's, etc. But one thing I have noticed is that the local neocons that I come into contact with are MUCH less inclined to enter a political discussion with me in the last year. It's been kinda quiet lately on that side of the bird. That's fine. Since it's so quiet, I have more time to read "The Fall of Baghdad".

    Re: Teaching the Constitution (none / 0) (#25)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Mar 06, 2006 at 11:26:12 AM EST
    Johhny... BB, I know you love the idea that educating people will eliminate liberalism, but look around... I don't think that & never said it! What I said was.... kids (Schools) would be much better off if geography teachers actually taught geography and not take up class time pounding their personal (liberal) views into the heads of teens! Che'... one thing I have noticed is that the local neocons that I come into contact with are MUCH less inclined to enter a political discussion with me in the last year.. You mean there are actually political discussions going on here? Who'd a thunk it? It looks to me like most TL'ers spend most of their bandwidth calling names, correcting spelling, and/or just ignoring any points made by anybody else. Or (like Johnny's comment to me above) just put words in others mouths and go off on a different tangient altogether.