How does a nation commemorate a surprise attack on its own soil by invaders who wished to take down our country decisively? What has history shown? I was thinking of 9/11/21. I also thought of times like the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the overwhelming power of the British during our […]
Federalists vs Anti-Federalists: Key Differences in Constitutional Debate
Who were the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists? As we consider the Constitutional debates, let’s clarify these two groups of patriots. Yes, that’s right. Both groups were patriotic Americans and supported the Constitution. They raised different but compelling concerns over what type of Constitutional government would best serve Americans then and in the future. Why the […]
Labor Day: Honoring the American Work Ethic
Before Calvin Coolidge became president, he was governor of Massachusetts. He wrote the following eye-opening statement on September 1, 1919: Calvin Coolidge on the Value of Toil “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 […]
Constitution Day 2026: Why the U.S. Constitution Still Matters for ‘We the People’
Welcome back to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, where we are highlighting Constitution Day (September 17). It’s vital that Americans remember the Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land.” Even amid distractions, We the People are responsible for the direction of our government. Its success or failure rests with us. Let’s reflect on this […]
What Was at Stake? The Constitutional Debate
We think today’s political climate is contentious, but what about the Constitutional debates prior to adopting and ratifying our U.S. Constitution? At stake was whether we would have a national government or a loose confederation of states. The Birth of American Government: A Story o f Dialogue and Debate Each side had pros and cons. […]
Why Are Young People Voting for Communism?
Understanding Today’s Youth Political Trends I’m still sorting out why so many young people are voting for communists these days. The thought resonated with me that, for this generation, supporting communism (what they call “democratic socialism”) vocally and by voting, these young people feel like they are doing something to fix America’s problems. In other […]
Preserving American Values: Lessons From the Founders
“It has been often said that the people of this country will decide the important question of whether societies can establish a good government by careful thought and choice. Or whether people are forever destined to be governed only by accident and force.” (Webster, Mary E. The Federalist Papers in Modern Language. 2018. p. 1) […]
Guarding Liberty: Why Americans Must Reclaim Responsibility
During the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic, many Americans refused to comply with a mask ordinance, not believing in its effectiveness. Perhaps in that day and at that time, Americans didn’t look to the elected to run their lives. They didn’t believe that the rich and powerful knew more than they did. They respected the elected, […]
Is Your College Degree Really Worth the Cost?
How much is your degree worth? Isn’t that the question Americans should be asking themselves, rather than, “Can I get my fellow Americans to pay off some of my debt?” Passion vs. Paycheck: Choosing the Right Major Our younger generation firmly believes that they should study subjects that indulge their passions. So, they attend a […]
The Rise of Communism: Its Impact on American Values
You may find the news increasingly upsetting lately. There is more coverage of murder, more surveys showing that young people under 40 want communism (socialism, Marxism, etc.), and free stuff. There are more lawsuits, more declines in public education, and more sexual issues at the forefront of the news. Why does everything around us seem […]
How Government Promises Shape Everyday American Life
How do you want to be governed? Today we are seeing people elected or running for elected office who profess communism. A Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) leader said a few weeks ago that the goal of the DSA is communism. Note: socialism, democratic socialism, and various pseudonyms are sellable versions of the same endgame- […]
Understanding Socialism’s Influence on America
If you care about the future of our country, it makes sense to learn about the current cultural shift toward socialism and away from a Constitutional Republic. I’ve been hearing a lot about the revised Democratic Socialists of America platform that is to be made public in a few weeks at the Socialists Summit. This […]
Defining a Statesman: Qualities, Roles, and Distinctions
What is a statesman? We hear this word frequently lately. As Americans, we should determine for ourselves whether we think of a person as a statesman, not just because the media labels them that way. Qualities That Define a Statesman Upon looking up the definition of a statesman, there seems to be a general consensus […]
The Importance of Teaching Self-Government in Schools
A good education goes beyond facts. Learn why civics must teach self-government habits that sustain a Constitutional Republic. That time is here again: after July 4, we think about school in the fall. What defines a “good education”—and what should it teach? The True Purpose of Education The measure is not merely whether students know […]
How We Celebrated Independence Day: Discoveries, Revelations
What an incredible weekend of celebrating Independence Day it has been! Our weather was dark, hot, and rainy, but that did not dampen our spirits. My oldest daughter came to celebrate the July 4th holiday with us. We had several in-depth conversations—the kind you have when it’s one-on-one time with a loved one. Family Revelations […]
