The Citizenship Process

[slm76]

(I hope the following gives you some idea of the current processes involved in becoming a citizen of this country

Comments

Not too ranty, I hope.

[atomicpagan]

The Civics test has been redesigned. Once I start studying for it, I'll throw out random questions from it and see how well the rest of you do. For the Americans, it'll be an opportunity to maybe learn more about your own country.I'd also be fascinated to see what's on the redesigned one

Re: Not too ranty, I hope.

[atomicpagan]

And good luck!

Re: Not too ranty, I hope.

[slm76]

Some of these questions are tricky. I mean, you'd be surprised which states made up the original 13 colonies. Because that completely threw Heath and I. There are some you think should be that weren't, and there are ones that are complete surprises! Not everything is as simple as name the President or count the number of states or stars and stripes on the flag.

As for the English thing, I'm stunned. I think the people who work at this place must be like Heath's fellow undergrads who were very concerned when he announced he was going to the UK for six months: "Do they speak English over there?" Of course, the English speak English very differently at times. Hmmm... wonder if I'll be scored on my accent? Or for calling them trousers when they should be pants?

And no, not too ranty. After all, I've lived here long enough to know that not everyone attended The Foxworthy School of Rednecks *g*

Re: Not too ranty, I hope.

[atomicpagan]

Ha! I was wondering the same thing, if they'll score on you on the trousers vs. pants, lift vs. elevator, etc. Or spelling with the --ours.

[brightbeak]

I'm shocked they require new citizens to speak English, so few Americans speak it! ;) ;)

bb

[audrich]

Meeep! Are you sure you want to do this - good luck!

[slm76]

Yes. I am sure. In the movie, The American President, Michael Douglas as the Prez says something about how you've got to want to be citizen, and about how you have to work for it. (I don't remember the actual quote, just the meaning.)

This is the country in which I intend to live for the rest of my life. Right now, I have no say in it because I don't have a right to vote. I want to play a full part. Today, I had to call an organisation that had been sending me voter registration forms and reminders and tell them to take me off their mailing list. I hated that I had to do that. I want to vote, but I legally can't. I could do it illegally in that, but where's the honour? It's just not me to do something like that.

It's not just at national level either. Shortly after we moved to Olean there was a vote about funding for the local schools. I read the literature, heard what the funds were needed for, but I couldn't vote my opinion. Even though I might have had kids that would be in this school district.

[audrich]

Sorry hon, I don't mean to be negative but you seem to have given a contribution to teh US through taxes etc and you don't seem to be treated very well in return. I guess the UK is the same to non-Brits hoping to live here, though I don't see why anyone would want to right now :/

[slm76]

Even when I just had an Employment Permit, I still had to pay taxes. I guess it's the same in the UK. If you want to work legally you have to pay taxes. It's just the system. The only way to really avoid taxes would be to join the Amish!