Please select the photo that best represents “Civics.”

Did you know we are a nation of illiterates, civically speaking, that is?

How well do (or don’t) we know government and democracy?  As we prepare for a new era of government transparency expected to be ushered in by the Obama administration, one (big) result should an increased desire and response by society to be more aware of and engaged with our federal, state and local governments than we have been in the last 30+ years.

However, after reading a recent report from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), I question whether we are ready to embark on this engagement.  Instead of planning to reconcile our differences with a past partner, the experience may be more like going on a blind date. 

Question 7: What was the source of the following phrase: “Government of the people, for the people, by the people”?

A. the speech “I Have a Dream”

B. Declaration of Independence

C. U.S. Constitution

D. Gettysburg Address

The report, Our Fading Heritage: Americans Fail a Basic Test on Their History and Institutions, is the third study on American civic literacy.  More than 2,500 randomly selected Americans took ISI’s basic 33-question test on civic literacy and more than 1,700 of them failed.  Their average score: 49%.  I recall in my day that would have been a firm “F” with absolutely no chance to bring it up. Forget making the honor roll that semester. 

What may be more alarming is that among the elected officials who took the test, their average score was a 44.  Only .8% of those officials earned an “A” grade.  Well, it is a representative government, after all. 

Question 22:  What part of the government has the power to declare war?

A.  Congress

B.  the President

C.  the Supreme Court

D.  the Joint Chiefs of Staff

How much do you know about our governing process and what goes on among the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government (oops! I just gave away a test answer).  If you chose the automobiles among the two photos, you weren’t necessarily wrong.  But that should have been your second choice.  What does this say about us?  Any ideas?

A great Web site providing a multi-media experience for civic beginners and even for civic scholars is elcivics.com.  That’s right, civics for ESL students (English as a Second Language).  They do a great job of defining civics as “the study of government and politics; the rights and responsibilities of citizens and residents. Civic responsibilities include paying taxes, voting, registering for military service, serving on a jury, and obeying the law.”

The power of the United States government comes from the people, so it’s important for citizens to understand their civic duties and responsibilities. That sounds so obvious, doesn’t it?  We all have a responsibility to understand the role of civics and display our knowledge of it by participating in our governance processes whether in our community, state or nation. 

Question 28:  A progressive tax:

A. encourages more investment from those with higher incomes

B. is illustrated by a 6% tax

C. requires those with higher incomes to pay a higher ration of taxes to income

D. requires every income class to pay the same ration of taxes to income\

E. earmarks revenues for poverty reduction

When my wife prepared for her U.S. citizenship test, I remember being called upon to help.  With my education and background in government, I would be the expert tutor.  Not so.  The study guides where lengthy and covered a wide spectrum of topics related to governance, laws, and citizen responsibilities.  She did not just learn the answers.  She researched them to understand them.  From that experience, I learned I needed a refresher course in civics.

I have an idea:  Why not require U.S. citizens to take (and pass) a similar test when we renew our driver’s license?  We all need to be reminded that our government is a representation of the people it serves (as the ISI test scores reveal).  We are all stakeholders in our government –and stockholders as we are painfully learning today.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  This Thanksgiving, most of us are facing new challenges we did not have last year.  Take a moment to remind yourself why you should be thankful.  It’s not about your current state, but rather your state of mind.  And lend a hand somewhere to someone.