The United States of America is a country consisting of 50 states, 48 adjoining, Alaska and Hawaii, a federal district (D.C.), five major territories, and 11 other territories.

The United States of America is sometimes called the U.S. or America for short (although, America technically refers to the contents of North and South America when not used in context of the United States).

Factoids tagged with "United States of America"

Most Sushi is Previously Frozen Fact

Most types of fish eaten raw have to be frozen to kill parasites before being served in the US according to the FDA. Meanwhile, “sushi grade” is fish that can be eaten raw. So most sushi grade fish is previously frozen in the US.

The Statue of Liberty is a Lighthouse Fact

The Statue of Liberty is technically lighthouse, and was even at one point even under the operation of the Lighthouse Board. However, it never properly functioned as a lighthouse.

The Civil War was About Slavery Fact

The Civil war was about slavery, but it wasn’t “just about slavery”. Sectionalism, Protectionism, and States’ Rights were also factors.

The Democrats were the Party of the Ku Klux Klan and Slavery Fact


Hitler Was a Left-wing Socialist Liberal Myth


Pinball Used to Be Illegal Fact

Between the 1940s and the 1970s pinball used to illegal in parts of the United States. It was thought of as a gambling “game of chance” and was caught up in the post-prohibition push-back against gambling.

John Lennon’s Deportation Case Inspired DACA Fact


The Founding Fathers Supported Slavery Myth

Slavery was legal when America was founded, but few founding fathers fully supported the nefarious institution. In fact, many founders fought to limit and abolish slavery.

The General Election Decides the President Myth

Votes cast for President and Vice President in the general election are advisory votes, the President and Vice President aren’t decided until the electors’ direct votes are cast and counted.

The United States is a Corporation Myth


Voter Fraud is Real Fact

Voter fraud is real and so is voter suppression. However, widespread voter fraud is very unlikely to occur, and convicted voter fraud in the United States is very uncommon.

The United States Has a Two-Party System Myth

Despite two parties dominating politics due to a majority being needed to win elections, the United States doesn’t officially have a two-party system. Parties aren’t even mentioned in the Constitution.

Mark Twain is a Pen Name Fact

Mark Twain is a pen name, his real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. “Mark” “Twain” is a riverboat term for measuring two fathoms (12 feet): mark (measure) twain (two).

Your Vote Doesn’t Count Myth


You Have the Right to Remain Silent Fact

You have the right to remain silent and not make any self-incriminating statements in police custody, as granted by the Fifth Amendment and confirmed by Miranda v. Arizona.

America is a Christian Nation Myth

America is not “a Christian nation” in terms of having a national religion. Despite a majority of Americans being Christian, the Bill of Rights ensures religious liberty for all.

Lincoln was a Republican Fact

Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican President. Lincoln, a former Whig (and then “moderate” “anti-slavery” Republican), favored social justice and federal power over states’ rights regarding slavery.

The United States of America is a Democracy Fact

The United States is both a Republic and a Democracy. Specifically, the United States is a Constitutional FederalRepublic with a strong Democratic tradition and many democratic elements especially on a local level. Despite the democratic elements and traditions, the U.S. is not however a “Direct Democracy” (where people vote on laws directly*).

Being Gay Used to Be Illegal Fact

“Being gay” (same-sex activity and partnership) used to be illegal in the U.S. and the U.K., and being gay is still illegal in many parts of the world. The details are complex.

Common Core Doesn’t Work Myth


Black Lives Matter is a Movement Fact

Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a social movement that began as a stand against racial violence and discrimination toward black people by the US criminal justice system.

George Washington Had Wooden Teeth Myth


Blog Posts tagged with "United States of America"

National Populism and Deconstruction


What is Conservatism?

Conservatism is the ideology of governmental, cultural, and economic order, tradition, hierarchy, and authority that generally comes in classical, social, and economic forms.

What is a Republic?

We discuss Republics in general including the philosophy of republics, classical and modern republicanism, and real Republics in-action.

The Origin of the Tea Party Movement

The modern Tea Party is a progressively conservative nativist protectionist populist movement that represent a response to globalism and progressive social liberalism.

The United States as a Concept


Types of American Progressivism

We explain the different types of American progressivism from the founders, to the Reform movements, to Bryan and the Roosevelts, to the progressives and populists of today.

A Summary of How the Major Parties Switched

Notable political factions, politicians, and platform planks switched between the major U.S. political parties throughout U.S. history leading to a number of complex changes. Here are some different ways to look at “the party switches” and different “party systems” the changes resulted in.

Understanding Populism


Civil Religion


Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

Separation of Powers describes the way in which government is divided into different branches (ex. in the U.S., the legislative, executive, and judicial). Checks and balances describe the powers each branch has to “check” the other branches and ensure a balance of power.

The Progressive Federal Income Tax System Explained

In America we have a Progressive Federal Income Tax system broken down into “tax brackets”. Tax Filers pay the “marginal tax rate” on each dollar of income in a given bracket (after most deductions, but before tax credits).

The 2007 – 2009 Financial Crisis Explained

We explain the Financial Crisis / Great Recession of 2007 – 2009 that began with the 2006 housing bubble, led to a recession in the U.S. by December 2007, and became a global crisis by 2009.

The Historical Effects of Wealth Inequality

We examine the historical effects of social, political, and economic inequality on society to see how it has led to social unrest and events like revolutions and populist uprisings.

The Origin of Politically Correct

The exact origin of the term politically correct isn’t known, although the earliest usage we could find was from 1793 Supreme Court Case Chisholm v. Georgia.

Federalists and Anti-Federalists Explained


The Origin of the Political Terms Left and Right


The Basic Types of Political Parties


The Cycle of Oppression and Rebellion


Tolerance Paradoxes Explained


Is America an Oligarchy?


What Does “Politically Correct” Mean?


American Politics Explained

A simple explanation of American politics including an overview of US history, the political parties, and the political system.

Wealth and Income Inequality

We explain economic inequality from a historical perspective, and then consider the effects of wealth inequality and income inequality in America today.

What is a Useful Idiot?


The Left-Right Political Spectrum Explained

The left-right political spectrum is used to create a model that shows a spectrum of political positions. Traditionally there is a 2-axis spectrum of left and right, but there are also many widely adopted 4-axis model.

Book Reviews tagged with "United States of America"

James Madison’s Federalist #10

Below is the Federalist #10, written by James Madison, and reprinted in full. We explain, annotate, and offer context on the Federalist #10.