Civics & Citizenship

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Candace teaches the fundamentals of liberty that inspired the American system of government.
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The Eighth Amendment Preserves Justice and Liberty 

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Limits on Bail, Fines, and Punishment The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishments. Bail intent is to prevent the defendant from fleeing, and it cannot be more than necessary to ensure the defendant’s appearance in court. Keep in mind that in this country, our Constitution presumes our innocence until proven guilty. Therefore, the defendant retains the right to be free until conviction unless they pose a threat or are likely to flee. Relying on historical precedent, the Magna Carta, a foundational document signed in 1215, defines excessive fines as depriving the defendant of a living. The fine must fit the crime, but not deprive the defendant of their ability to support themselves. You certainly know what unreasonable torture is. Consider how the incarcerated are treated in other countries. Mutilation, organ harvesting, and more would fall under this category. Our country cannot use these methods, as they are cruel, unusual, and …

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Presumed Innocent: Constitutional Basics Explained

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How can an alleged would-be murderer be declared innocent until proven guilty, even with overwhelming evidence? What does the Constitution say about the presumption of innocence? Although you may not find the phrase “innocent until proven guilty” directly quoted in the U.S. Constitution, the principle forms the backbone of our justice system and is affirmed in the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments. Building upon these constitutional foundations, you don’t have to testify against yourself when accused of a crime. Our Founders did not want you to help the government build a case against you. In addition, you have the right to a speedy and public trial. No hidden agendas. We the People must know that, if we are accused, public trials, not postponed for decades, show the prosecution’s evidence against the defendant in as reasonably quick a manner as possible. Furthermore, neither federal, state, nor local governments can deprive you of your life, liberty, or property …

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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

The Eighth Amendment Preserves Justice and Liberty 

Limits on Bail, Fines, and Punishment The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishments. Bail intent is to prevent the defendant from fleeing, and it cannot be more than necessary to ensure the defendant’s appearance in court. Keep in mind that in this country, our Constitution presumes our innocence until proven […]

Presumed Innocent: Constitutional Basics Explained

How can an alleged would-be murderer be declared innocent until proven guilty, even with overwhelming evidence? What does the Constitution say about the presumption of innocence? Although you may not find the phrase “innocent until proven guilty” directly quoted in the U.S. Constitution, the principle forms the backbone of our justice system and is affirmed […]

Citizenship, Character, and Political Violence

What about the discipline and character of Americans who assassinate or attempt to assassinate high-profile people? It’s a citizenship issue, so let’s examine it together. The first thing I notice, and maybe you do, too, is how much attention these murderers or attempted murderers get. The false, yet often repeated, saying, “negative attention is better […]

Teaching the Declaration Still Matters Today

As the school year winds down, I am preparing a Jr. High civics lesson on the reasons to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.  Why the Declaration Still Matters Today, many in our country don’t seem to understand the brilliance of the Declaration of Independence. Instead of embracing that our rights come from God, they place their […]

Power, Celebrity, and Impulsive Misconduct

I believe people who have been given power and control by We the People sometimes fall into sexual misconduct —not because they think they are so amazing, but because power and celebrity are fuel for impulsive behavior.  It must come as a shock when these highly respected people are removed from power, when the cultural […]

American Courage: Triumphs, Resolve, Innovation

A supreme display of courage and American spirit in the last few weeks has taken the edge off the constant bombardment of negativity in the media. American greatness is a citizenship issue. Let’s discuss it. Artemis II Re-entry: A Nation Inspired The Artemis II crew and their high-stakes re-entry captivated Americans, especially those new to […]

Rediscovering Common Ground: Binding a Nation

What does it actually mean to find common ground in our nation today? Let’s continue our discussion based on the writings of Walter Isaacson in his book “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” (2025). Isaacson’s “Common Ground” and the Greatest Sentence In his chapter “Common Ground,” Isaacson asserts that the Declaration’s self-evident truths “became the creed […]

Understanding the 25th Amendment and Presidential Succession

Have you heard rumblings about the 25th Amendment in the past few days? I sure have, and from different sources, too.  To be “in the know,” let’s quickly review this section of the Constitution. You may find one or more of the sections to be of great interest. The Twenty-fifth Amendment concerns presidential succession and […]

Timeless Workplace Decorum: Lessons from George Washington

In an age where incivility feels normal, George Washington’s teenage rules offer a surprising guide to workplace and public decorum. Some years ago, followers of Common Sense Civics and Citizenship studied George Washington’s “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” (Applewood Books, 1988). We learned about the rules of life that George […]