Andy Rooney: How To Become A Citizen

Andy Rooney Puts The American Citizenship Exam To The Test

(CBS)  The United States takes in more people than any other place in the world. Everybody still wants to come to America.

Those of us who were born Americans know how lucky we are, I think. I'd hate to be on the outside now trying to get in. In 2008 a little over a million people became U.S. citizens. That's a lot, but a lot more wanted to get in and didn't make it. It isn't easy, now.

To begin with you have to fill out a 10-page application and pay $675 to the Department of Homeland Security. They take your picture, fingerprint you and interview you. They give you a reading and writing exam and a test on American history.

In 1996 I did a piece about immigration and I wanted to compare the exam they gave then to the new one they're giving to anyone who applies for now. You only have to answer six out of 10 questions.

Here are some examples from the old test:

What are the colors of the American flag? Hmmm. I don't think there's any green in it.

Where is the White House? Well, I know there are several white ones in the town I live in.

What are the two major political parties in The United States? Let me see. I don't think the answer is the Communist or Fascist Party.

Here are some of the new test questions though, which seem harder to me:

The Federalist papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers? I'm not sure. Was Ernest Hemingway alive then?

The House of Representatives has how many voting members? I don't know!

What territory did The United States buy from France in 1803? Gee, I don't know that either, New Jersey? Actually of course it was Louisiana.

You can only take the oath after you've passed this test, but my requirements for becoming a citizen would be easier.

First, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, second, promise to pay your taxes, third, sing The Star-Spangled Banner and fourth, name the winner of the last Super Bowl.

If you can't do all four, pack your bags and get out.

[stevador39]

SOMEONE MAKING FUN OF A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT (BORN TO AMERICANS) SAID THE KID ASKED 'ARE KIDS CITIZENS?' THAT'S A TRICKY QUESTION. CITIZENS ALLEGEDLY HAVE RIGHTS. HOWEVER, IN THE U.S. CHILDREN HAVE NO RIGHTS. SO, ANDY, ARE KIDS CITIZENS???

[AOCGUY]

For Pete's sake folks, Andy Rooney wasn't suggesting that the US dumb down the test - it was a tongue in cheek commentary - he does this all the time. He is a humorist! Did you actually watch the show last night?

[Tyrotommy]

People have forgotten what they learned in American Government class. I have started a blog that helps adults remember what they should do to remember how to be citizens. I am a retired teacher of American Government. The Blog is: http://educatedcitizenry.blogspot.com/

[illious]

As it is, according to a report a year or so ago, most Americans, natural born, and having gone through 12 years of schooling in the US, are unable to pass the citizenship test. I agree with Mr. Rooney in that it really shouldn't matter how difficult the test is. As for the test he proposes, I am sure that a large proportion of the current citizens would still have problems with it, and my guess is that it'd be mostly the people who did not have to take the test.

[dontknowitall]

Actually I found Mr Rooney's statement quite funny and I'd be willing to bet that 50 percent of American high school students couldn't answer those same questions. And they are citizens! Stupid but their citizens.

[julieb10]

Mr. Rooney,
It seems you think we should let the test be so simple that everyone and anyone will pass it and become a U.S Citizen. What about the years we spent in school learning about our great Country? What about the people who want so badly to become a U.S. Citizen that they study the materials given to them and pass the test! Not everyone that comes into the U.S.A. really wants to become a citizen! What about terroists who want to destroy our country? We should make the test so simple that they flock to our country to destroy it? Why do you think people want to become a U.S citizen? If things were so great where they live why would they want to leave and come to our country! Freedom is the word that comes to mind and we have fought for that right of freedom since we became independent from England! What we have is worth protecting and fighting for! Why shouldn't the test be extensive enough to discourage the people that don't love our country from taking up residence here. When people from the north come down to the southern states and complain about the south and how backward we are and how politically incorrect we are, we say Delta is ready to leave when they are! If we don't start taking up for our country, who will? President Obama said Americans think they are better than other countries. I just call it pride. When you are someone's house guest should you not follow their rules and traditions? If you don't like their traditions then you have the option of staying where you are! I used to like to hear your commentaries but no more!
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Julie Bennett

[sealjr23]

Ms. Bennett,

I would like to point out a few inconsistencies in your statement.

1. I wonder if you believe that terrorists need to become a U.S. citizen in order to attack our country. Do you really think that a difficult citizenship test will make them reflect and decide, "Gosh, I'm too busy to study and clearly I need citizenship to set off a bomb in this country. I guess I will have to go elsewhere..."

2. Additionally, foreign born persons may establish residence here with a visa or greencard. In fact, a person may live here the rest of their life without ever applying for their citizenship. This one test will not keep them out.

3. Also, being from the north, do I need to pass a citizenship test to cross the Mason-Dixon line? You seem to imply that because I was born in a different region of -our- country, I am not welcome down south. If I make an attempt to be respectful of your culture, shouldn't you be equally respectful of mine rather than tell me to go back where I came from.

I think that the real issue you have here is that you feel as though people should be deferential and respectful of you while there is no need for you to take ownership of your own harsh attitudes towards those looking for a safe haven in our country. Immigrants offer us a great opportunity to learn about another culture and to enhance our own experiences through others ideas and life experiences. I do not mean to suggest that we should automatically make every passing tourist a citizen. By all means, make the test difficult. However, for you, rather than sit around judging, go out into the world and speak with a few immigrants. Maybe you won't change your views but maybe you will learn to be a little more tolerant.

By the way, I find it equally distressing that because you do not agree with Mr. Rooney's arguments, you have decided that his views are without merit. We do not learn anything by simply conversing with people who agree with us. There is no challenge in that. Instead, I would recommend that you actively seek out those who disagree with you, present your ideas, listen to your ideas. You will be amazed at what you can learn from those with opposing views.

[AOCGUY]

Ms Bennett, As a southerner I respectfully ask that you not tell people you are from the south - it just reinforces negative stereotypes.

[vibegeke]

Dear Ms. Bennett
There seems to be more prejudice than pride in your letter. Please leave Mr. Rooney alone, and remove all that cotton that is packed into your ears.

[julieb10]

Mr. Rooney,
It seems you think we should let the test be so simple that everyone and anyone will pass it and become a U.S Citizen. What about the years we spent in school learning about our great Country? What about the people who want so badly to become a U.S. Citizen that they study the materials given to them and pass the test! Not everyone that comes into the U.S.A. really wants to become a citizen! What about terroists who want to destroy our country? We should make the test so simple that they flock to our country to destroy it? Why do you think people want to become a U.S citizen? If things were so great where they live why would they want to leave and come to our country! Freedom is the word that comes to mind and we have fought for that right of freedom since we became independent from England! What we have is worth protecting and fighting for! Why shouldn't the test be extensive enough to discourage the people that don't love our country from taking up residence here. When people from the north come down to the southern states and complain about the south and how backward we are and how politically incorrect we are, we say Delta is ready to leave when they are! If we don't start taking up for our country, who will? President Obama said Americans think they are better than other countries. I just call it pride. When you are someone's house guest should you not follow their rules and traditions? If you don't like their traditions then you have the option of staying where you are! I used to like to hear your commentaries but no more!
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Julie Bennett

[julieb10]

Mr. Rooney,
It seems you think we should let the test be so simple that everyone and anyone will pass it and become a U.S Citizen. What about the years we spent in school learning about our great Country? What about the people who want so badly to become a U.S. Citizen that they study the materials given to them and pass the test! Not evberyone that comes into the U.S.A. really wants to become a citizen! What about terroists who want to destroy our country? We should make the test so simple that they flock to our country to destroy it? Why do you think people want to become a U.S citizen? If things were so great where they live why would they want to leave and come to our country! Freedom is the word that comes to mind and we have fought for that right of freedom since we became independent from England! What we have is worth protecting and fighting for! Why shouldn't the test be extensive enough to discourage the people that don't love our country from taking up residence here. When people from the north come down to the southern states and complain about the south and how backward we are and how politically incorrect we are, we say Delta is ready to leave when they are! If we don't start taking up for our country, who will? President Obama said Americans think they are better than other countries. I just call it pride. When you are someone's house guest should you not follow their rules and traditions? If you don't like their traditions then you have the option of staying where you are! I used to like to hear your commentaries but no more!
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Julie Bennett

[jmanahan1948]

Andy Rooney has become an embarassment to CBS and the United States with his stupid comments. He, CBS and 60 Minutes have every right to continue to lower their standards and prove their lack of support for America, but I don't have to watch.

[julieb10]

I agree! His last statement about how hard our citizenship is shows he either has dementia or is out of touch with reality. We have lowered every standard we ever stood for. Andy Rooney used to support the United States now it seems to want to tear it down

[flreason]

Apparently anyone who disagrees with your viewpoint is an embarrassment to the U.S. I wonder if you wouldn't have supported the status quo in 1776.

Americans have always been independent thinkers, seemingly blessed with a genetically dominant contrary streak. That's why many of them ended up here in the first place. I would love it if all Americans would bone up on their history. If they had, Bush would have had a hard time selling his war to the public. But differences of opinion don't justify downright nastiness. There are good and bad folks from every region of the country. Why not assume the best of everyone until proven otherwise? ...Can't hurt, might help.