Civics & Citizenship

How do you keep your Kid (or grandkid) American with all the noise convincing them that Communism and all of its derivatives are better for the community and the environment? Here are a few suggestions that may help as we start a new school year: 1. Share stories of American heroes, both past and present. Who were your American heroes growing up? What about their stories and contributions to America excited you? According to a recent Pew Research Poll (1), 69% of Americans talk with their children about family and friends. That is at the top of the list. Next, 46% of parents and their children discuss jobs, work, and school. Third on the list of topics is music, TV shows, movies, or other things you watch or listen to (38%).  I would love to know how many families discuss American heroes. How about famous American poets, patriots, or pioneers who shaped our country?  2. Introduce books and stories about life under Communism and its derivatives. Visit the website …

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Americans don’t seem too excited to talk about Labor Day. Many are out of a job, not by their own choosing. Hard-working people are watching their savings dwindle. Others are sick and tired of the chaos going on in our country. Still others (I talked to a 30-something yesterday) want “this election stuff to be over.” Let’s get a Common Sense Civics and Citizenship perspective on Labor Day before we “throw in the towel” on this holiday. Labor Day Used To Celebrate the American Work Ethic Before Calvin Coolidge was President, he was the Governor of Massachusetts. He wrote the following eye-opening statement on September 1, 1919: “I cannot think of anything characteristically American that was not produced by toil (work). I cannot think of any American man or woman preeminent in the history of our Nation who did not reach their place through toil. I cannot think of anything that represents the American people as a whole so adequately as honest work. We perform different tasks, …

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How do you keep your kid American in our changing world? The author gives detailed suggestions on how you can impact your child’s civics education.

Americans don’t seem too excited to talk about Labor Day. Many are out of a job, not by their own choosing. Hard-working people are watching their savings dwindle. Others are sick and tired of the chaos going on in our country. Still others (I talked to a 30-something yesterday) want “this election stuff to be […]

With the party conventions behind us, it’s time to focus on the upcoming election. Do you find yourself more sure of your vote or more confused? This week’s featured article serves as a guide to reading political party platforms. I believe that even a small amount of time spent perusing these party platforms will quickly cut through the emotions, and will provide you with an understanding […]

Welcome back to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship! Perhaps your head is on a swivel as is mine. This is the summer of news alerts.–real news alerts– the kind that makes Americans stop and listen. It remains important for you and I to keep calm and observe. Collect the facts and data, analyze, then form […]

Two-thirds of Americans recently polled (1) are in favor of the Pledge of Allegiance recited in schools. Significantly,  one-third do not. Why, I wonder. This civics issue deserves our attention, so let’s delve into the reasons behind this dissenting view. The Pledge of Allegiance and “Forced Patriotism” Until recently, Americans said the Pledge as a matter […]

Good day, and thank you for subscribing to this newsletter! I returned home from a business trip to a note from a concerned participant asking why campaigns are so negative. This question is crucial, as it reflects the sentiments of many of our fellow Americans. They wondered how politicians allot so much money to spread […]