from Activist Post:
Do you know your First Amendment rights? Can you name all three branches of the U.S. government? If you’re scratching your head, you’re not alone. A recent survey shows that, even in an election year, many Americans are still fuzzy on some basic civics concepts.
The Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey to celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 17, offers a fascinating glimpse into what Americans know (and don’t know) about their government and constitutional rights.
First, the positive: nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) can correctly name all three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial. It means most people understand the basic structure of our government and how power is divided.
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When it comes to the First Amendment, though, things get a bit murkier. While almost everyone knows about freedom of speech (74% of respondents named it), the other four rights protected by this crucial amendment are far more problematic for Americans to name. Only 39% mentioned freedom of religion, 29% noted freedom of the press, 27% recalled the right to assembly, and a mere 11% identified the right to petition the government. Surprisingly, more people incorrectly said the right to bear arms (22%) was in the First Amendment than those who correctly identified the right to petition the government.
(Pro tip: The right to bear arms is actually in the Second Amendment!)
“Civics knowledge matters. Those who do not understand the rights protected by the Constitution can neither cherish nor invoke them; those who do not know which party controls the House and Senate may misattribute credit or blame for action or inaction,” says Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, in a media release detailing the poll results.
In other words, if you don’t know your rights, you can’t protect them. Also, if you don’t understand how your government works, it’s harder to hold your representatives accountable.
The survey also dug into what Americans know about the Supreme Court and their opinions on potential reforms. Here’s where it gets interesting: 86% know Supreme Court justices are appointed, not elected, and 85% know justices serve life terms. Moreover, 56% understand that the Supreme Court, not the president, has the final say on whether presidential actions are constitutional.
However, when it comes to reforming the court, opinions are strong. A whopping 82% support prohibiting justices from cases where they have conflicts of interest, 77% want a formal ethics code for justices, 69% support a mandatory retirement age, and 68% are in favor of term limits. These numbers show a clear appetite for change, likely influenced by recent controversial decisions and declining public trust in the court.
