Civics & Citizenship

Recapture Our American Civil Discourse

Candace teaches the notions of liberty that inspired the American system of government.
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Should Our Leaders Know the Basics of American Government?

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The basics of American government-how important is it that our leaders know them? Better yet, do you think it is important? Let’s look at recent occasions of misquoted or forgotten American foundations and then decide. Recently, a prominent national leader misquoted the Declaration of Independence. What did they leave out? “…that we are endowed with the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Big miss to leave out WHO endows us with our rights. Is it God? Or Government? If the government gives you liberty and the right to own your income and property, the government can take them away. Our Founders said that our Creator endows us with these unalienable rights. But what else is missing? The unalienable right to life was left out. If we aren’t endowed with the right to life, how can we enjoy liberty or the pursuit of happiness (our property)? Here’s a big problem: If our national leaders misquote our founding American documents, we become (through our ignorance) easy …

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Travel Is a Civics Lesson

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Travel is a great way to enhance your civics knowledge. It’s a fascinating way to learn about  America through the lens of hikes, road trips, and really any mode of travel. Recently, I taught my Jr. High civics students a lesson about travel using three principles: 1. You leave home (travel) to find things different, not the same. Isn’t it funny how we set out on a journey and want things to be just as they always are! We want our same trail, same favorite foods to taste the same way, the climate to be at our comfort level and the like. I recently went to California, where it rained a whole lot the entire time we were there. Did that stop us from having fun? Absolutely not! Instead, we borrowed umbrellas, walked a couple of miles during the day and took leisurely walks along the ocean at night. We explored the area by foot (best way to travel :-) We don’t let inclement weather stop us. We’ve been on vacation when it was a balmy -35 below zero. That didn’t stop us from going …

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Chris M., Age 28, Marketing and Communications Consultant Covey

What I Do

I educate Americans on who we are, what we stand for, and how to communicate with one another!

Candace has a variety of teaching experiences and is a certified instructor for adults and homeschoolers through the Institute on the Constitution. Her hobbies include walking, world travel, Pilates, writing, and spending time with her grandsons. …

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Recent Articles

Should Our Leaders Know the Basics of American Government?

The basics of American government-how important is it that our leaders know them? Better yet, do you think it is important? Let’s look at recent occasions of misquoted or forgotten American foundations and then decide. Recently, a prominent national leader misquoted the Declaration of Independence. What did they leave out? “…that we are endowed with […]

Travel Is a Civics Lesson

Travel is a great way to enhance your civics knowledge. It’s a fascinating way to learn about  America through the lens of hikes, road trips, and really any mode of travel. Recently, I taught my Jr. High civics students a lesson about travel using three principles: 1. You leave home (travel) to find things different, […]

National Issues: Political or Constitutional Solution?

What is better for our country’s problems? A political or a constitutional outcome? Political results are usually a short-term fix that changes with the prevailing party in power. A constitutional solution adheres to the Supreme Law of the Land. It’s a solid foundation that connects us to the generations who lived in, fought for, and […]

What Kind of Government Do You Want?

Do you want a centralized government where the federal government has the power and most of the control? Or do you prefer a national government with a constitution that divides federal power with regional entities (like states)? Think about it carefully. What Are the Arguments? The argument for a centralized authority sounds something like this: […]

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., today we need to focus on a higher place with a better goal. So, why does our nation continue to place a higher emphasis on skin color rather than the content of character? Dr. King would be so disappointed. Some of you remember Dr. King leading peaceful […]

Adopting the House of Representatives Rules

Now that we have a Speaker, what happens next in Congress? The House of Representatives must adopt rules that govern their operations every two years. The 118th Congress votes on those rules as the second order of business. (The Constitution requires the House to elect a Speaker as the first order of business). It’s important […]

The Fifth Amendment and Private Property

What if the government wants to buy your property for its own use? The pictures below depict a home surrounded by beautiful woods— AND a frontage road, an interstate highway, sports field(s), and a multi-story hotel (I took the pictures from the hotel’s 5th-floor window). What is this home doing in the middle of a […]

Speaker of the House: Chaos? Or Constitutional Republic At Work?

The election of the Speaker of the House is going on and on and on. That’s a good thing. It’s our Constitutional Republic at work. Article 1, Section 2 lists the first order of business for the House: Elect a Speaker. It doesn’t say the process is microwavable. Instead, there are no time limits on […]

Write Your Own Script

As we bid farewell to 2022, many people are glad to see the year go. Are you? Usually, I like to recap the year in my mind’s eye, but not this time. It’s the first time it’s both painful to look back and scary to look forward, or so I’m told. Wait. Where did I […]