Perish the Thought
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 12:40 pm
Ten Bizarrely Mistaken Beliefs Americans Hold About Themselves. Of course you are not one of them. Perish the thought. But Im afraid I do drive well.
J.
Foreign Aid Costs a Lot
Foreign aid is often controversial, particularly during economic downturns. Yet its unpopularity may be out of scale with its cost. According to a 2010 questionnaire, on average, Americans believe that a full 25 percent of the budget is spent on foreign aid, with most responding that 10 percent would be a more appropriate appropriation. In fact, the actual figure stands somewhat below 1 percent.
The Health-Care Law Has Been Repealed
It's no surprise that President Obama's health-care program remains controversial, given that Republican pledges to repeal it dominated the 2010 campaign. Indeed, one of the House's first priorities was to pass a bill to that effect, but the measure quickly died in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Yet only 52 percent of Americans realize that Republican efforts were unsuccessful, and that health-care law repeal has not, in fact, already occurred.
Anything About the Supreme Court
The judiciary is the most opaque branch of government, and the Supreme Court is no exception. But hey -- the fact that only 49 percent of people realize that there are nine justices may not be so totally shocking, given that it has only been so since the Judiciary Act of 1869. And whether or not they know how many justices there are, only 46 percent can name any.
Or the Three Branches of Government
An old cliche asserts that everything good comes in threes. When it comes to the Three Stooges, the statement certainly holds true; 78 percent of Americans can name Moe, Larry, Curley, and Shemp. More worrying, perhaps, is that only 42 percent can identify the three branches of government (the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary).
Who Wrote the Gospels
According to polls, 76 percent of Americans identify themselves as Christians. Yet when it comes to identifying central facts about that faith, the numbers become somewhat shakier. According to the Pew Forum's Religious Survey, only 45 percent say they know who wrote the Gospels: Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Where In the World Is the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is perhaps American's closest ally. The nations have together fought multiple wars, and remain commercially, politically, and militarily tied. One might think that the depth of the special relationship might result in increased awareness about the basics of the country. Apparently not, as a 2006 National Geographic survey of young adults found that only one in three could find the United Kingdom on a map.
We All Drive Well
Garrison Keillor's (fictional) Lake Wobegon defined itself as the place where, "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average." Yet, when it comes to driving, researchers have found more truth in Keillor's characterizations than one might hope. Studies reveal that a full 80 percent of drivers, for example, consider themselves "above average."
Who the Vice President Is
The office of the vice president has rarely captivated America's attention. Woodrow Wilson's veep, the suitably obscure Thomas Marshall, liked to tell the story of a woman with two sons, "One ran away and went to sea, the other was elected Vice President of the United States, neither one was ever heard of again. So it might be disappointing, but hardly surprising, that, two years into into the Obama administration, 41 percent of the country has no idea who Joe Biden is.
.
J.
Foreign Aid Costs a Lot
Foreign aid is often controversial, particularly during economic downturns. Yet its unpopularity may be out of scale with its cost. According to a 2010 questionnaire, on average, Americans believe that a full 25 percent of the budget is spent on foreign aid, with most responding that 10 percent would be a more appropriate appropriation. In fact, the actual figure stands somewhat below 1 percent.
The Health-Care Law Has Been Repealed
It's no surprise that President Obama's health-care program remains controversial, given that Republican pledges to repeal it dominated the 2010 campaign. Indeed, one of the House's first priorities was to pass a bill to that effect, but the measure quickly died in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Yet only 52 percent of Americans realize that Republican efforts were unsuccessful, and that health-care law repeal has not, in fact, already occurred.
Anything About the Supreme Court
The judiciary is the most opaque branch of government, and the Supreme Court is no exception. But hey -- the fact that only 49 percent of people realize that there are nine justices may not be so totally shocking, given that it has only been so since the Judiciary Act of 1869. And whether or not they know how many justices there are, only 46 percent can name any.
Or the Three Branches of Government
An old cliche asserts that everything good comes in threes. When it comes to the Three Stooges, the statement certainly holds true; 78 percent of Americans can name Moe, Larry, Curley, and Shemp. More worrying, perhaps, is that only 42 percent can identify the three branches of government (the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary).
Who Wrote the Gospels
According to polls, 76 percent of Americans identify themselves as Christians. Yet when it comes to identifying central facts about that faith, the numbers become somewhat shakier. According to the Pew Forum's Religious Survey, only 45 percent say they know who wrote the Gospels: Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Where In the World Is the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is perhaps American's closest ally. The nations have together fought multiple wars, and remain commercially, politically, and militarily tied. One might think that the depth of the special relationship might result in increased awareness about the basics of the country. Apparently not, as a 2006 National Geographic survey of young adults found that only one in three could find the United Kingdom on a map.
We All Drive Well
Garrison Keillor's (fictional) Lake Wobegon defined itself as the place where, "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average." Yet, when it comes to driving, researchers have found more truth in Keillor's characterizations than one might hope. Studies reveal that a full 80 percent of drivers, for example, consider themselves "above average."
Who the Vice President Is
The office of the vice president has rarely captivated America's attention. Woodrow Wilson's veep, the suitably obscure Thomas Marshall, liked to tell the story of a woman with two sons, "One ran away and went to sea, the other was elected Vice President of the United States, neither one was ever heard of again. So it might be disappointing, but hardly surprising, that, two years into into the Obama administration, 41 percent of the country has no idea who Joe Biden is.
.
Needless to say anything!