© 2016 Jim Spence - For years in this column I have railed against the public
education system and suggested that its absolute failure will be the downfall
of America. Of course with so many other nations mired under the constraints of
anti-business socialist policies, our demise is likely to be far off in the
future.
Still, one has to wonder about our country.
The day that Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch for the open spot on the Supreme Court, I made the statement that Gorsuch was the reason why I voted for Donald Trump, I just didn’t know his name at the time. Many people who shared our concerns with the importance of making sure the court respected the U.S. Constitution also voted for Trump for that very same reason.
Still, I must admit that while I have never been a Trump fan, in fact I have been much more of a detractor. his policies have been a pleasant surprise.
Apparently Americans are not so uneducated yet that they do not know how much power court rulings have over their lives.
The day that Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch for the open spot on the Supreme Court, I made the statement that Gorsuch was the reason why I voted for Donald Trump, I just didn’t know his name at the time. Many people who shared our concerns with the importance of making sure the court respected the U.S. Constitution also voted for Trump for that very same reason.
Still, I must admit that while I have never been a Trump fan, in fact I have been much more of a detractor. his policies have been a pleasant surprise.
Apparently Americans are not so uneducated yet that they do not know how much power court rulings have over their lives.
According to a C-Span report, 90 percent of U.S. voters
believe that decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court have an impact on their everyday
lives. And a whopping 76 percent of U.S. voters think TV coverage of the high
court's oral arguments should be allowed. This is somewhat heartening. But there is more bad news than good.
Astonishingly, a staggering majority of American voters
cannot name a single Supreme Court justice.
The C-Span report – which was released as confirmation
hearings started for Gorsuch found that 57 percent of U.S. voters could not
name a single Supreme Court justice.
Doddering old Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who is often photographed
dozing in public is the most recognized name on the court. Still, only 16
percent of respondents in the C-Span survey named her. Chief Justice John
Roberts followed at dismal 12 percent, while Justice Clarence Thomas was named
by only 10 percent. A tiny 3 percent of respondents named Justice Sonia
Sotomayor. Anthony Kennedy, Samuel Alito and Elena Kagan were named by just 1
percent. Not a single respondent named Justice Stephen Breyer.
Clearly America is junked out on pop culture rather than up on civics. There is little priority given to being curious about the names of those people that 90% of Americans believe have an impact on their everyday lives.
Clearly America is junked out on pop culture rather than up on civics. There is little priority given to being curious about the names of those people that 90% of Americans believe have an impact on their everyday lives.
Just another sign.
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