1. A couple of times I've seen Albuquerque (New Mexico?) mentioned on TV
   and got the impression that people don't think too higly of the place.
   Do you know why?  Is there some kind of stereotype behind it?

2. In general, is the opinion of politicians positive? In movies and TV
   series, the president, especially, is usually portrayed as a wise and
   noble man, although, in reality many of the presidents have been
   involved in some kinds of scandals.

3. What about equality in the U.S., e.g. in salaries? Do people get the
   same amount of money for the same work regardless of their sex, skin
   colour etc.?

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1. What reasons stood behind the phenomenon of F. D. Roosevelt? Why did he
   hold his position in the White House for three terms and why does he
   still remain a good president in the memory of Americans? The opinions
   about him are quite different in Europe: he traded the Eastern Europe
   to the Soviets for the help in the war against Japan, the help he never
   received. Some also say that he knew about the planned attack on Pearl
   Harbor and intentionally did not prevent it.

2. What has happened to the American enthusiasm for conquering Space?
   In 1961, during the Cold War, president J. F. Kennedy said that it was
   the goal of the nation to go to the Moon, and American spacecraft
   landed there. Nowadays the space program lacks funding. The prospect of
   going farther, to Mars, seems very distant. Why?

3. It is a fact that figures like Mark Twain, J.F.Cooper, F.S.Fitzgerald,
   E.Hemingway, W.Faulkner and T.Williams created classical American
   literature. Who are considered their successors in present-day America?

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1. It's obvious that money is the reason why people are suing big
   companies and each other for any thing you can (or can't..) think of,
   but how did this all get started, and when?

2. All states have, more or less, their own laws, right? Well, when making
   new state laws, are the decisions about them also made on a state-level
   only?

3. Is there any kind of a health-care system provided by the state, or
   does one always need an insurance?

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1. In the census questionnaire people are asked about the type of their
   accommodation, whether it is a house, an appartment,or a mobile house.
   Is it common that people live permanently in mobile houses and why do
   they choose it? Is it because they can't afford a "normal" house or is
   it because their life style?

2. The Americans believe in equality. How does this idea work in reality
   between men and women? Are women paid the same salary as men and what
   are the attitudes towards mothers who work full-time and are not
   full-time mothers?

3. How would a "mainstream" American react if his new neighbour is
   obviously an illegal immigrant? Would he report him to the police or
   just let it be, given the fact that people immigrate illegally anyway?

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1. Right, once and for all, what's the deal with D.C.? Is this District of
   Columbia a state or not and if not, what state is Washington D.C. in?
   And there is a state of New York, right? But New York isn't the
   capital, right?

2. Are there "kunnanvaltuustovaalit" (local council election?) in U.S.A.
   as in Finland?

3. TV question: Is this network something everyone gets (i.e. also people
   without cable, satellite or such) and what channels does it include?

4. Is it really so that local calls are free, or is it just that it's free
   to use the internet? In all states?

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These questions are mainly based on my wonderings about American films and
tv series. I want to know if things really are the way they're shown.

1. Is it a common practice that young people and children address their
   teachers or the parents of their friends by Mr and Mrs? How is this
   explained if Americans usually see each other as equals and go quickly
   to "first name basis"?

2. Out of curiosity, what is the colour of the uniforms in U.S. prisons?
   Are their different colours in different states?

3. What are the speed limits on American roads? Is there a top limit?

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1. Has there been much talk of a reform of the voting system after the
   2000 Presidential Elections?

2. In the US, can a person change his or her name an unlimited number of
   times? First names as well as last name, legally?

3. I remember the US military service has been called 'selective service',
   meaning that military service is compulsory, but only to a selection of
   all the American men of the correct age. Also, I have gotten the
   impression that there is voluntary enlistment besides the selective
   enlisting. How large a number of an age cohort does the 'selective
   service' affect and which of the two methods is more important in
   recruiting soldiers in peacetime?

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1. How many people are there in the American army?

2. How many more have been added since the World Trade Center attacks?

3. For how long has the U.S.A. been considered as a super power?

4. How does U.S. television avoid violence on commercial network/screen?
   Does it try to limit or select violence on TV?