Can You Pass the Test?

This morning I was riding my fat tire, beach cruiser with the wide comfy seat that women my age seem to prefer.
My bike and I were in familiar territory because Art and I ride our bikes frequently in the summer, but our favorite time of day is early, before the crowds come out; about 6:30 a.m. Even at that hour, there are enough early risers to make it a sociable ride.
Today I mailed a birthday package to our son Benjamin in Chicago, so my ride was closer to the exit time for bikes.
I never knew that at 11 a.m. each morning, a pleasant voice fills the air with a request to all to pause as the national anthem is played. Now if confession is good for the soul, I have to tell you that by the time the music reaches “by the dawn’s early light,” my eyes are not only misting over, but sometimes the tears just roll down my cheeks.
I am a sentimental patriot who feels such gratitude for this amazing country we live in. My gratitude flows to those long dead, very flawed and human “fathers” who conceived our institutions.
It flows to those soldiers who died so long ago to make this nation possible. It also flows to our service men and women today who carry the burden for our defense. I even go further, with gratitude to all those elected officials we love to hate.
Who in his right mind would take such a job that demands every minute of a day that extends long beyond the traditional eight hours? Thank goodness for those who feel the call to do so.
So there I paused on the boardwalk with a lump in my throat listening to the very familiar strains of music “o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
It was a wonderful moment because every one stopped what they were doing to pay homage to our country — the place we live and raise our families. The very act of respect gave me enormous hope for our future.
Now building on that notion of respect and care I want to propose a novel idea. How much do we care? Enough to learn the mechanics of government that has worked so well for us the past 234 years?
What would happen if, in order to vote, we had to prove by a test that we had read and understood our Constitution? I used to beg people to go out and vote, but at this stage in life I am of the opinion that if one doesn’t understand the basics of government, then he should just stay home until he learns, after all, we insist on such a test for all new citizens.
This doesn’t mean that once we all understand how this nation works we would all agree on who should run it — that would never happen, and for that I am also grateful.
Diversity of thought makes us an exciting and enriched nation, but ignorance is dangerous. Ignorance makes us susceptible to gross manipulation. Disagree all we like but make our divergent opinions on solid knowledge.
If there were a test, could you pass it?
PATRICIA HALL, the publisher’s wife