Trying to convince people of the merits of America is like trying to convince people of anything else. Present the facts, and let them make up their minds for themselves. You are generally very convincing in what you have written here in the Gulch, winterwind, but that presumes that someone is not willfully ignorant, has not been enticed onto the government cheese, and is not a "true believer" in socialism. You discussed the willful ignorance issue. There are some who are willfully ignorant, but not many. Most of the historically illiterate are addicted to the government cheese. As with other addictions, the addict must willfully choose to avoid those negative behaviors to turn their lives around.

Perhaps that is why I teach at a private university instead of at a pre-college government institution.

WinterWind: If Americans do not have a sense of what freedom really is yet, then I am the one who says that they ought to be written off. All Americans have been exposed to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, etc. even if it has been amidst a lot of anti-American garbage. If after all that has happened in the last few years to make socialism appear as the laughingstock that it is, then they a) have willfully blanked out, b) are receiving so much support financially from the government that they have chosen to be moochers, and/or c) actually are convinced of the merits of socialism.

My intention was not to imply writing them off but now that you mention it maybe they have written themselves off. Not sure what to do with people who think we are "free enough", which has been stated to me when discussion our current government. That statement fits right in with "it's patriotic to pay taxes".

edweaver - if I read you correctly, you are suggesting that "people who do not have a sense of what freedom really is" should just be written off? Please say more.

Note my original purpose: to see what would happen if I.....
Part of what I wanted to do was to see what people in the Gulch would say. Part would be to gather a tiny bit of up-to-date info [since I'm not teaching any longer] about what kids know. Part would be to have interesting interactions and MAYBE poke someone in the brain. I have had people have L--o--n--g conversations with me while doing this sort of thing.
I truly disagree that everyone who doesn't know the answers to whatever set of questions we chose is willfully ignorant. Would you be willfully ignorant [assumption time] if I handed you a pile of fabric and some thread and said "Hem this, please." or if I gave you a bag with some groceries in it and said "I need the Sauce Bearnaise ready in 20 minutes."? You could have learned to do those things in school - did you? I already knew how to hem by the time they offered to teach me, and I taught myself how to make an egg-based sauce.
It comes, again, back to our differing views of humans. I believe, until I know otherwise, that they are good - willing and friendly. I think enough of myself to believe that I can "hook" the majority of less-than-20-year-olds, gain their interest, and have at least a short meaningful conversation. I do not believe a person is not worth saving until he proves me wrong.

No, Sauce Bearnaise is not as important as philosophy, but there are days in which it runs a close second!

Happy happy joy joy dance!
I knew there was another reason we watched what my baby brother used to call "boom-bangs"!
I hope you had a wonderful day.

I actually think that's beyond "basic". Among other things, you'd have to define "troops". And everybody knows you've always had to get a warrant....except when you don't.
sigh.

How about "Do they have the Fourth of July in other countries?" You have, truly, no idea of the number of people who say "no" and, when you laugh, see the joke.

I like #6 - truly relevant to many of today's government-educated people.

I agree - if I had not been going to see the fireworks anyway. Make a trip somewhere just to ask people these questions - any of them - nope! Just finding a new way to break my heart.....and, you're right, leave.

I like the 1st question a lot - I think the 2nd needs a bit of massaging to not be a give away.
Thanks for playing!

The Fourth of July is about ME!!! My B-day! (Go Mimi, Go Mimi. Yay Mimi!)

I would extend your comment to include that people do not have a sense of what freedom really is. Personally, since I was very young, I expected to be naturally free to choose. I have a hard time understanding how people feel free today. I don't feel free at all.

Back then, sales tax was "national", but to the British crown. John Hancock was a shipping merchant who frequently landed and off-loaded ships at night to evade the British (particularly tea) taxes.

How about, were the British allowed to have their troops stay in American homes? Or could British troops search peoples homes without a warrant or consent of the owner? Maybe these are beyond basic??

Glad I didn't offend you. Bad habit for me to type fast and realize later my message can be taken more than one way. :)

People who can't answer those questions are not worth your time, winterwind. It is time to shrug and leave.

Great question. Careful though, the sales tax is a state thing. You may give the feds another idea for a tax. Oh wait, they are already talking about it. :)

I wasn't offended, Ed. The knowledge of history of so many people is so pathetic that you can fool most people most of the time, and people like Obama can count on that.

I agree and realized I should have stated that in my message. I did not intend to say you did not know history so hope you did not take it that way.

The premise behind giving such a quiz is that we can educate people to come to a proper view of what America was and should be. People who do not know the answers to these questions are willfully ignorant. They have blanked out, and are not worth our efforts to try to save.

Which country celebrates its independence on July 4th?

How many American colonies declared themselves to be sovereign states independent from England on July 4th, 1776?

What American protest (referred to as a type of "party") in Dec. 1773 was an iconic event that escalated into the American Revolution?