Why do you think we do not currently use the metric system here in the United States? Make sure to support your answer with information from the article:
Let's take a minute to think about measurements. To measure small lengths, we use feet and inches. Miles are used to measure long distances. If we need to measure liquids, cups and gallons are used. Need to know the temperature outside? Using degrees in Fahrenheit would be normal. The measurements we use are called imperial units. But did you know that there are only three countries who use imperial units? Unless you live in the United States, Liberia, or Myanmar, you use a different kind of measurement called the metric system. Think about that for a minute: everyone else in the world uses the metric system except for three countries.

However, scientists and mathematicians in the U. S. use metric measurements. In fact, they have been using the metric system for years. But if you are an ordinary American, you still use imperial units and measure your height in feet and inches, and your weight in pounds and ounces.

So if the rest of the world uses the metric system, why don't we? There are many reasons. Some people don't want to use a system they see as "foreign." Others, like people in the government, say that it would cost too much money to change everything over to the metric system. But did you know that we actually do use some metric units? Soda is sold in two-liter bottles, and liters are part of the metric system. Many people run in 5K races, and kilometers are part of the metric system. Also, a lot of our food nutrition labels are written in metric units. Don't you think this makes things a bit confusing? Why do we use metric units for a few things, but imperial units for everything else?

To fix this problem and use the same systems as the rest of the world, the U. S. has thought about changing to the metric system. In the 1970's and early 1980's, we actually came close to making the switch! Here's a little bit of history about the metric system:

In 1975, thanks to President Gerald Ford and Congress, the Metric Conversion Act was passed, which would have led to the metric system being the preferred system of weights and measures in the United States. This act created the United States Metric Board, which was abolished in 1982, by President Reagan.