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In a new Pew poll, just about six-in-10 (59%) could correctly identify Joe Biden as the current vice president in an open-ended question.
Pew:
More people (69%) were able to identify Dick Cheney as the vice president in a 2007 Pew Research Center survey, but at the time Cheney had been in office six years, compared with about a year and a half for Biden when this survey was conducted.
Another interesting finding related to politics (in a poll focused on religion):
- 72% know Democrats have the majority in the House
What does this all say about the engagement of the American electorate generally?
Leave a Comment:
Look, on 9/11 itself I ran into people who didn't understand what the big deal was because they weren't aware that New York City was part of the United States.
Nothing about the ignorance of the average American surprises me anymore.
Peronally, I think it says that people will tellya anything to getcha off the phone. They have a Life to live & don't wanna be bothered with Trivial Nonsense.
I Cussem all out for calling my Phone! Thats my way of dealing with the optout 800 #s.
You Betcha!
I've written this thought a few other times....but when I read an article like this one, I think of all the times a politician has said the words " Do not underestimate the intelligence of the American voter".
Well I do. And it is getting worse by the year. And some of these folks vote.
I've said for years that there should be 5 simple questions in an electronic voting booth....needing 3 correct answers for the cast vote to count. "Who is the Vice President of the United States?" has always been one of my suggested questions...interesting to see how many votes would be cancelled.
So my question here is...what good is the vote of any person who is not aware of or involved in his our her own country's governing process one stinking bit and does not even know who the Vice President is ??? Why should that vote count ???
People on this site may disagree (often) to the point that it becomes an insult festival (sometimes)...but I guarantee that anyone who invests the time into reading and commenting on the daily news and activities in this country surely knows the name of the stinking Vice President of the United States !!! I may not agree with your vote, but you earned the right to make it.
To have one of your votes...on either side of an issue or candidate...get wiped out by a lever-pull of a nitwit who can't spend two minutes a month paying attention to what is going on is an insult.
It's unfortunate that many politicians stoop down to grovel for those votes...just as it is shocking to read about the profound ignorance of so many Americans whose 'intelligence', we are instructed, should not be 'underestimated'.
I have to agree.
What would you suggest the other 4 questions be?
tony-268769 People on this site may disagree (often) to the point that it becomes an insult festival (sometimes)...but I guarantee that anyone who invests the time into reading and commenting on the daily news and activities in this country surely knows the name of the stinking Vice President of the United States !!! I may not agree with your vote, but you earned the right to make it.
Tony the right to vote is just that, a RIGHT it is given just being a citizen of this country.
There should be NO literacy test what so ever we have been through that in this country and it doesn't work everyone knows why, literacy test were used to surpress voters and prevent people that you felt didn't deserve to vote, what you are advocating sounds eerily similar. Strange how we go full circle
Sorry to disagree...but I don't believe a vote means anything if it comes from a person who doesn't know anything.
It's also been quite obvious watching which politicians hungrily pander to win those votes.
It does feel kind of strange to read this topic in reverse....that's it's perfectly fine if "illiterate" people do vote.
My daughter was a junior at a quite liberal college that was abuzz over the candidacy of Mr. Obama. Yet, my daughter told me that she was not going to vote because she didn't feel she had paid attention to national issues or even the presidential campaign. She'd save her 'right to vote' for another day.
I liked that...she put value on her vote in an age where votes are purchased on the cheap.
Tony: Well, as my son who went to a liberal uni. said to us: "If you don't vote, you can't bitch." Makes sense to me.
People don't know who the V.P. is? And they vote.......................and reproduce!
BJ Mackay...
For a shameful number of American voters...a simple multiplication or division question would produce one wrong answer.
How about "Name one member of the US House or Senate currently representing your state"...or..."Who is the Governor of the state you reside in"...or..."How many Justices of the US Supreme Court are there"...or it seems "What is the name of the Vice President of the United States" ???????
Or...more for so many of our well educated society...."Name one member of the cast of the Jersey Shore"...or..."Name one Kardashian sister"...or..."How many children were on the television show 'Jon and Kate, Plus 8' "?????....well, many would do much better handling these questions correctly.
Any way you look at it, it is a sad commentary. It isn't a political issue, it is an ignorance issue. The sad part is that most of those people think of themselves as smart voters.
Terrifying thought, eh?
What's even sadder Kirby, is that 9 out of 10 people know who that 'train wreck' Snookie is... :0(
Oh, oh! I don't know who Snookie is either. Is it too late for me?
Yes, Kirby. Yes it is. Best to throw in the towel. :p
Damn. Oh well, perhaps I'll run for political office then.
...I lol'd at that. Good answer. XD
The sad thing is that I'd probably win and then have to have a lobotomy to stay in office.
My co-worker told me she was voting for McCain in '08 because her Dad was a Republican. "But what about Sarah Palin, I asked her, "do think she's qualified to be V.P.?" "Who's that?" she replied.
P.S. She voted. Never watched a single debate or interview with the candidates. But, by gum, she voted.
(I'm not telling her there is an election this November)
Joe probably just needs to update his wiki page. That should take care of the problem.
I can vandalize it for him. I'm a dread pirate of the digital seas. <_<
I suppose that is ok - Sarah Palin probably didn't know who she was either. Still, I'd rather people who don't know why they are voting one way or the other just stay home and let those who do know make the decisions. I mean, if they don't KNOW, how could it possibly make a difference in their lives? And if it does, they will only notice if someone points it out, and if that someone else blames the president, then, well, heck, that must be the reason for the difference that has affected their lives.
Biden is the VP. Most Americans don't vote. I don't remember who the VPs were under most of the Presidents. The only time the job is relevant is in the rare occasion that the President dies or is incapacitated and when the Senate needs to break a tie vote. Mostly he does whatever the President tells him to do. Keep quiet and stay out of the way.
Anyway you look at it Tommy, there is no excuse for being so ignorant that you don't know who the current VP is. As they say, "one heart beat from the presidency". True enough that historically it doesn't much matter, but most assuredly it does when they are in office.
Well, I don't necessarily remember who all the VP's were years ago but I know most of them for modern times and I certainly always knew the name of the one currently in office.
6 outta 10?!!! Does that include Biden? He thought he is second in line for the Presidency and you wonder how only 6 in 10 know who HE is? Just proves that people read/believe 'fluff' and don't worry about facts. Gotta love the continued dumbing down of America! Once we get everyone making the same amount of money, attending the same schools with the same curricula, sharing equally in entitlements we may reach the daunted level of 0 out of 10 even care. Gawd, I'm glad I'm old and won't have to put up with the further demise of the US.
Don't worry, Joe, it gets worse.....
90% of Americans can't identify the Presidents on Mount Rushmore.
http://www.motortrend.com/auto_news/112_news060224_jeep_commander_history/index.html
80% of Americans can't find Iraq, a country we've had troops in for 8 years, on a map.
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2002/11/35286.shtml
70% of Americans don't know that plastic is made from oil.
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geuuGmQ3VMOO8AVSdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTByc2FtNTRpBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNgRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=138attn7a/EXP=1282839846/**http%3a//digg.com/general_sciences/70_Of_Americans_Don_t_Know_Plastic_Is_Made_With_Oil
60% of Americans can't add two numbers together and calculate 10% of the total.
http://dangerousintersection.org/2010/01/26/ripped-off-because-we-dont-do-well-at-math/
50% of young Americans can't correctly identify New York state on a map.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/roper2006/findings.html
40% of Americans cannot name a fossil fuel. Even more can't name a renewable energy.
http://www.publicagenda.org/pages/energy2009-finding4
30% of Americans do not know what year the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks occured.
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/august2006/100806whatyear.htm
20% of Americans believe President Obama is Muslim.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-brad-hirschfield/obama-muslim-are-20-of-am_b_688045.html
10% of Americans don't like anybody. Probably Republican Teabaggers....
http://www.gallup.com/poll/126116/Canada-Places-First-Image-Contest-Iran-Last.aspx
RE: 10% of Americans don't like anyone...probably Republican teabaggers. MkeMike, you were doing OK until you came to this little barb. Does the 10% also include the Democrat 'teabaggers' or the Independent 'teabaggers'? Haven't you noticed how many Dems are jumping BO's ship? All of a sudden many dems have found fiscal conservative values; just in time for the elections. Just to disappoint you, I am not Republican, Independent, 'Teabagger' and certainly NOT a Democrat. However, with other like minded persons such as you, we can wait for your list to contain 0.5% - The number of liberal democrats left in the US.
Scarey to think how undereducated Americans have become.
Makes me wonder if they even teach geography in school any more, or make kids learn the names of the states and their capitols and identify them on a map. That explains why Sarah Palin thought Africa was a country.
Bill n AZ,
0% is more likely the number of Americans that have benefitted from the GOP tax policies that they continue to promote....
I love the jealousy that is so apparent in your response. Your socio-economic status is of little interest to me, but I will pose the following: Presume we both own our homes (or at least pay a mortage); your home is worth $500K and my home is worth $100K. You are financially able to provide payments for lawncare and maid services; I am not. You are able to 'employ' at least three people for these services because your earnings are greater than mine. Question: am I entitled to go to your house and demand that you pay for the same services at my house? The result of your earnings is that you can spend the money you EARNED as you see fit; I have no right to it. I have been in the workforce for approximately 50 years and make a good living. I see young HEALTHY men and women who believe I owe them something. I see HEALTHY men and woment who believe they are entitled to subsidies for anything and everything. I believe you will find the WEALTHIEST individuals in the US provide more earnings potential to other US citizens than the FedGov can provide through entitlements. If you believe that the rich should give away their money, how about starting with Hollywood and Sports....ask them to give up, oh I don't know-say 60% of their earnings. Would this be fair to you?
You're right Jody, like Obama thought there was 57 States right??? I wonder what thoses States and Capital names are. LOL, so you compare our States and Capitals to Africa??? LOL...ok heck don't the countries in Africa change daily? Probably as mush as State 51-52-53-54-55-56-57..........
"Makes me wonder if they even teach geography in school any more, or make kids learn the names of the states and their capitols and identify them on a map. That explains why Sarah Palin thought Africa was a country."
I believe that people should pay taxes in proportion to their ability to pay. If by some accident of birth, or chance, or hard work, you are able to enjoy a higher standard of living, which results in a bigger home with, say, 5 bathrooms, you should pay more for sewer and water taxes, and more in income and property taxes, because proportionately, you are using more resources and have more greatly benefitted from the freedoms that we all enjoy and pay to protect.
If you want to live in a country with wealthy people behind walled communities, while the rest of society lives on the streets with no affordable health care, no food, no jobs, and no hope, then move to a South American country. But, choose wisely because as the CIA points out...
You are very knowledgeable.
But what have you done yourself with so much knowledge?
Have you educated any kid in your town lately?
MkeMike,
I suggest you go to this link: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/15343366/Inequality-In-Latin-America
This is another excellent reference to your perception that percentages have great meaning. If the per capita income for a country is equivalent to $1,000 (USD) in 2008 and it rises to $1,250.00 (USD) in 2009 the percentage increase appears to be significant versus a per capital income of the equivalent $40,000.00 (USD) in 2008 that rises to $42,000.00 (USD) in 2009. Your allusion to a CIA article is suspect. I am unaware of the author of the article but I suspect that accuracy is not the intent. The CIA as well as other FedGov agencies report country information on a very regular basis. You may be interested in the State Department's website - you can get on their e-mail listing that provides DAILY reports of foreign country status (economic, military, etc.). I subscribe to a variety of non-partisan reports that are generated by the various FedGov Agencies - none make editorial comments.
I also suggest that you access the (public) CIA website and review their documentation of a county's status (military, economic, etc.).
By the way, 'If you want to live in a country with wealthy people behind walled communities, while the rest of society lives on the streets with no affordable health care, no food, no jobs, and no hope, then move to a South American country'- you may want to check your facts. While I agree that there are many countries that are sorely lacking in infrastructure, medical facilities, etc., you will find that not EVERY country resembles the 14th century you seem to believe exists in SA. Check out Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Equador, & Peru; you appear to equate the per capita income as a factor in the determination of wealth (You may want to visit or work in any of these countries. Unless you travel and experience the culture, you can only IMAGINE what life must be like - TV and news articles paint views that provide revenues -they are NOT unbiased). When make your travel arrangements, I highly recommend Chile (north of Santiago; away from the crowds) and Equador. Just a suggestion that may help you to form a more informed perpective on the real world. I am hopeful the experience will get you out of Fantasyland.
I saw clips of the exit interviews with Obama voters leaving their polling places in 2008...pretty funny but also pretty sad...it might have been the biggest wad of stupidity ever assembled in one country.
Find something interesting to talk about, your comment is out of date.
2008 election was the third great thing that happened in great and beautiful country.
This is pathetic. We wonder why people have no real knowledge about issues? They don't even know who the Vice President is. Can't expect them to understand the impact of their vote or why it matters if they don't pay enough attention to realize who Joe Biden is.
WHAT? 6 in 10 citizens are REPUBLICANS??
I agree with Jody in that I know the name of the current VP. I would like to see a poll wherein the American public is asked who is the current President of the USA.
I am not surprised to know that there are people who do not know who the Vice President is when people listen to Limbaugh, Palin and the other idiots in the GOP and the so called "Tea Party" who tell them what to do and most of it is lies and hatred. How can anyone in another country take the States seriously any more when so much idiotic garbage is being spouted out by people in the GOP and then the citizens of the States actually vote for these people!!!!
Can you not see what the Republicans are up to ???? Are the American people not only brain dead but also blind ???
Enough is enough. The respect I once held for the American nation has dwindled to minus zero. America was once a great country but the Republican party only want POWER and MONEY and they will stoop to any low to gain that. For goodness sake people just look at what is happening and put a brake on the total demolization of your country before it is too late. The Republicans want to stop America from progressing so that they can destroy President Obama a man who is not only intelligent but is also coloured. Given the fact that this man has brought the country back from collapse during the past two years, due to total mishandling for 8 years by the Republican party, people should be thankful they have a President such as this man.
No, I am not surprised by anything that happens in the States any more I am just very, very sad !!!
wonder how many people know Joe Biden is an admitted plagiarist,By the way,you're posing as an American because we don't use coloured,it's a European spelling of colored,which is uniquely American.Nice try Kamerad Joan
Drive-by & Joan...
Should we be very impressed by the levels of education and intelligence that are easily found in Mr. Obama's and his party's strongest voting blocs ???
But it's your opinion that it's only Republican voters who are stupid ???
Take a good look...Mr. Obama had some voting blocs giving him 90+% of their vote....are you saying those were the smart people in this nation ???
Republican voters are not stupid, they are partisans, fanatics like those people in cult who have no opinion and are ready to follow, repeat what the leader say.
I still can't understand how they got to S.P who in my opinion should not be able to be elected for anything beside head cheer-leader for some dog sled team
Mar...
Actually you sound just like a member of a cult...partisan, ready to repeat what others say....which is, in most cases, a shot at Ms. Palin or George Bush...because there is nothing much positive that you can say about the political people who you support or the plans they have for saving us all so very, very well.
It is very interesting to watch the nation's Democrat leaders...all out there campaigning so strongly about the wonderful things they have brought to bear for we the people..."healthcare reform"..."stimulus plan"..."cash for clunkers".
Oh...I forgot...not one campaigning politician from the Democrat side of the aisle is even mentioning these wonderful things that they have brought to bear or the good of the country. Not one stinking little word is spoken to provide the voters with a reason to vote for these people and their plans to do even more for us.
Why not ?
If the laws they have passed are so very wonderful for we the people, the people who passed these laws should be pounding their chests in pride and boasting to all about their accomplishments.
Why aren't they ?
Why are they refusing to speak about the things they have gotten done ???
Thats why Obama wants them out to vote, because they are not paying attention. Thats a travesty!
The true travesty is you're allowed to post such drivel and nonsense.
ucg: But a TRUER travesty is that you don't know the freedoms of this country that gives msedivy AND YOU the privilege of posting your feelings in a public forum.
DO ANYONE STILL TEACH CIVICS ANYMORE IN SCHOOL?
what is amazing to me is that these ~435 congress consume around $76 million of our taxpayer money annually, not to mention their per diem, staff, aides, etc, and then they "retire" on ~$60K per year for life. Then they draw up their own salary and increases and approve them - No wonder our country is a mess
VP Biden gets no media attention for anything compared to VP Cheney. No news is not necessarily good news.
Yeah Bighorn, but Biden himself would tell you it's no BFD & I'd have to agree-lol.
What's more scary? About 1 in 1,000,000 actually know that our economic system is based SOLELY on debt and the ramifications of that fact. If more people understood they would be screaming, like I am, for a change in our economic system and mainly how money is created. Did anyone else watch "The Matrix"? Yes, you live in it, you believe politics is the answer but that just keeps your mind off the real issue. A free-market debt based economic system is our true enemy, a wolf in sheeps clothing.
www.22ndcenturyeconomics.com
It is not that our schools don't teach the subject matter anymore, but rather that (1) a whole lot of our teachers are as stupid themselves but saved only by the unions, (2) schools will no longer fail a student for not learning, simply passing them on to the next grade. Has any one seen the Completion Certificates they pass out now for finishing 12 years? Diplomas are rare.
I think that 100% of Americans know he's the vice president, but 40% are too ashamed to admit they know...
I know and there are too many people on these blogs that really do not know anything at all about how things are run, what rules are in the house and senate, and the working of the government.
The biggest part of them believe the nut job News stations and other bloggers and do no research on their own to found out if it is true or not.