Meritocracy or Mediocrity? Which do you prefer? Is excellence a good thing? Or is making everyone equitable, so no one person shines, makes more money, or succeeds in life, a better way to go? Would you rather live in a society where everything and everyone at all times is on a “level playing field?” Or […]
President’s Day
Today, I’m celebrating President’s Day by recalling past presidents’ wise words that still speak to us. Later this spring, I would like to return to Washington, D. C. to visit the Jefferson Memorial now that its refurbishing work is complete. I climbed the Washington Monument as a 13-year-old. No additional visits can top that experience, […]
The Simplest Explanation
What in the world is going on? If we listen and observe, sometimes the truth is right there in front of us. The simplest explanation for an occurrence is usually correct. As I write this, there has been yet another train derailment, and three more UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena-it’s the new name for UFOs) are […]
UFO and Spy Balloons In U.S. Airspace?
Indeed by now, some official knows who is sending strange unidentified flying objects, aka UFO, over American airspace. Is E.T. phoning home? Who’s invading our skies? Armchair spy addicts and news-watchers want to hear the latest. Yet, our government seems a little too silent on the “spy in the sky.” When convenient, the press awards itself […]
What the State of the Union Is Meant to Be
Article II, Sec. 3 requires that the President of the United States inform Congress of the State of the Union. Through our elected representatives, We the People are: 1. to be informed about how our country is doing 2. to be given any recommendations the President thinks are necessary. The Constitution says it this way: […]
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 […]
Conversation
Over the holidays, I had a conversation with a man who interprets the Declaration of Independence very differently from how I teach the founding documents. We hit on three areas of disagreement with the Declaration that I thought might interest you. My view is the “point,” and his is the “counterpoint.” See what you think. […]
