An Idea - how about a Constitution Test?!

[Brian4Liberty]

There are a ton of reasons why we already take tests: education, licensing, etc. What about one more for some people?

I propose that we create a "Constitution Test" that must be taken and passed by everyone who swears to protect and defend the US Constitution as part of their position. This would include everyone from the President on down. A detailed, school-style test, administered in a standardized and supervised way (SAT style?). Depending on the position, the test would be administered before becoming a candidate, after being proposed for a position, or before being hired for a position. Something like:

- Elected officials shall take the test in the two weeks prior to becoming a certified candidate. If they fail, they may take the test again within two weeks of the first test. If they fail a second time, they shall be disqualified from becoming a candidate in that election cycle.

- Special Case Elected Official - If unofficial write-in candidates are allowed in a given election, they shall take the test in the two weeks following the declaration of the winner. If they fail, they may take the test again within two weeks of the first test. If they fail a second time, they shall be disqualified from taking office in that election cycle.

- Appointed, Nominated, assigned or promoted candidates must take and pass the test before their selection.

- Employees must take and pass the test before a job is offered.

- Anyone who does not fall into the above categories shall take and pass the test within two weeks, or be removed from their position.

Edit:
The test would have to be on content only. Not on interpretation. It would have to be exactly the same for everyone. It would have to be public. An open source test...of course no reference material (open book) while taking the test itself.

[speciallyblend]

There are a ton of reasons why we already take tests: education, licensing, etc. What about one more for some people?

I propose that we create a "Constitution Test" that must be taken and passed by everyone who swears to protect and defend the US Constitution as part of their position. This would include everyone from the President on down. A detailed, school-style test, administered in a standardized and supervised way (SAT style?). Depending on the position, the test would be administered before becoming a candidate, after being proposed for a position, or before being hired for a position. Something like:

- Elected officials shall take the test in the two weeks prior to becoming a certified candidate. If they fail, they may take the test again within two weeks of the first test. If they fail a second time, they shall be disqualified from becoming a candidate in that election cycle.

- Special Case Elected Official - If unofficial write-in candidates are allowed in a given election, they shall take the test in the two weeks following the declaration of the winner. If they fail, they may take the test again within two weeks of the first test. If they fail a second time, they shall be disqualified from taking office in that election cycle.

- Appointed, Nominated, assigned or promoted candidates must take and pass the test before their selection.

- Employees must take and pass the test before a job is offered.

- Anyone who does not fall into the above categories shall take and pass the test within two weeks, or be removed from their position.

sounds like more gov regulation to me hmmmmm,but i hear you

[brandon]

Sounds like a good idea, but the problem is that the test will be created by the people in power. And we already know how the people in power "interpret" the constitution.

[Rangeley]

Not only would it be made by those in power, but even if the right people are in power, whats to stop people from lying on the test? They already lie when they take the oath.

[Brian4Liberty]

sounds like more gov regulation to me hmmmmm,but i hear you

Yeah, I thought about that. But if they are swearing to protect and defend it, they better know it, and be able to prove it.

[idiom]

Ron Paul would fail the government version of the test.

Instead, why don't we all just elect representatives who understand it and will appoint people who understand it?

[Brian4Liberty]

Sounds like a good idea, but the problem is that the test will be created by the people in power. And we already know how the people in power "interpret" the constitution.

The test would have to be on content only. Not on interpretation. It would have to be exactly the same for everyone. It would have to be public. An open source test...of course no reference material (open book) while taking the test itself.

[slothman]

It sounds interesting.
Can you give an example of the test?

[idiom]

The tests consists of the electorate asking questions of the nominee. If the electorate likes the answers they vote for him. If they don't like the answers they vote for him anyway.

[StudentForPaul08]

Not only would it be made by those in power, but even if the right people are in power, whats to stop people from lying on the test? They already lie when they take the oath.

Bingo

[Brian4Liberty]

It sounds interesting.
Can you give an example of the test?

I'm sure there are some good examples out there. A Jr. High School level test would be fine.

Off the top of my head, something like the following:

1. The First Ten Amendments to the Constitution are known as ___________.

2. What is the number of the following Amendment to the Constitution:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

3. ____True/False. The text below is contained in the Constitution:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

4. Name the three branches of government. ______________

5. Which branch of the government is established in Article Three of the Constitution? ______________

6. ____True/False. The text below is contained in the Constitution:

"In order to well-regulate militias, from this day forward, all men and women will be created equal, irregardless of gender, race or religious identity."

[idiom]

I got those except for number 4.

I got Jesus, the disciples... but I can't remember the third...

[slothman]

I got all including trick question number 3.

[Brian4Liberty]

I got all including trick question number 3.

It was supposed to be easy. What was the tricky part?

[Brian4Liberty]

I got those except for number 4.

I got Jesus, the disciples... but I can't remember the third...

The Pharisees? The peanut gallery?

[slothman]

It was supposed to be easy. What was the tricky part?

Most people think that the amendments are only part of the
Const. but they aren't just in it but actually part of it.
I got true for it.

[Brian4Liberty]

Most people think that the amendments are only part of the
Const. but they aren't just in it but actually part of it.
I got true for it.

That's the answer I was thinking. Probably needs rewording to make it easier. Wouldn't want too many Congressman to fail...:D

[Brian4Liberty]

Of course the whole point of a Constitution test would be to ensure that those who are supposed to uphold it have actually read it recently. Especially the Congress and law enforcement. (I assume law enforcement has to swear to uphold and defend the Constitution?).

[nelsonwinters]

Here's a study guide and resources:
http://www.southwestern.cc.il.us/adultbasiced/constitution
http://www.besthistorysites.net/USHistory_Constitution.shtml

Here's some tests:
http://www.constitutionfacts.com
http://www.fcps.edu/DanielsRunES/students/sixthgrade/hotpotatoes/quiz.htm
http://www.nccs.net/constitution/
http://www.historyteacher.net/USProjects/USQuizzes/Constitution1.htm
http://www.abanet.org/publiced/conversations/constitution/test_intro.html

[virgil47]

Gee, here's a thought why don't we administer the test to the voters. They don't pass they don't vote! Oh, that's right, that's the way it used to be back before the PC crowd took over.

[Brian4Liberty]

Here's a study guide and resources:
http://www.southwestern.cc.il.us/adultbasiced/constitution
http://www.besthistorysites.net/USHistory_Constitution.shtml

Here's some tests:
http://www.constitutionfacts.com
http://www.fcps.edu/DanielsRunES/students/sixthgrade/hotpotatoes/quiz.htm
http://www.nccs.net/constitution/
http://www.historyteacher.net/USProjects/USQuizzes/Constitution1.htm
http://www.abanet.org/publiced/conversations/constitution/test_intro.html

Great, some good links there.

Got tricked on "how many years can someone be President?"

[acptulsa]

I love the idea, but it won't fly. They'll declare it to be an unconstitutional religious test.

[Brian4Liberty]

I love the idea, but it won't fly. They'll declare it to be an unconstitutional religious test.

How would they know if it was unConstitutional or not?! ;)

They might declare it a terrorist idea though. Can't talk about the US Constitution in the US... :rolleyes: