How did your ancestors get to America? What if you don’t know much about your family history? Start a conversation with the person most likely to know your family. Learn why your grandparents came here, or the family history that goes back decades, or why you came to America, and share your story. We can […]
Declaration Reaffirmation Act: Renewing American Principles
What is the Declaration of Independence Reaffirmation Act of 2026? The Senate unanimously passed the Declaration of Independence Reaffirmation Act of 2026 (S. 4828), which reaffirms the Declaration of Independence as an Organic Law of the United States. The exact wording of the Declaration is included in the bill to ensure its preservation. However, the […]
The Power of Respectful Dissent: Lessons from John Dickinson
Who Was John Dickinson? John Dickinson of Pennsylvania did not support the Declaration of Independence. Instead of organizing a rebellion to overthrow the government, circulating propaganda against office holders, or taking his bat and ball and going home, Dickinson debated John Adams of Massachusetts on July 1, 1776. (Calvert, 2023) Our earliest Americans understood that […]
Understanding the ‘Consent of the Governed’
The phrase “consent of the governed” in the Declaration of Independence is freedom-centric. If we don’t truly understand it, we may be led to believe our government is insufficient to leading a fulfilling life. When our earliest Americans were still colonists, they eventually wanted to live independently from the Mother Country (England). Not all of […]
Take this Short American Founders Quiz!
How well do you know your American Founders? I’ve spent the past year reading about our Founders, and I’m fascinated by their lives. Take a short quiz to find out. There were 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. I chose ten with background facts that may help you identify them. Here we go! Your […]
Resilience and Courage: Lessons from Valley Forge
Seeking Courage in Troubled Times As we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, I want to share stories of unparalleled American bravery. When terrible scenes, whether in government or on our streets, flood the daily news, seek out courageous stories and pass them on. We need encouragement to be who we are as a nation, […]
From Victimhood to Civic Responsibility
It’s admirable that many of us take on the hard work of preserving our Republic — our Founders warned that eternal vigilance is required to keep liberty. But defeatism (e.g. “We are doomed as a nation!”) won’t protect our rights: victimhood is not a strategy. Responsibility and local action are. Why Victimhood Fails Blaming “others” […]
Understanding the Supremacy Clause and ICE Agents
Can the Supremacy Clause protect ICE agents from prosecution? I have this question, and maybe you do, too. To answer this, let’s explore what the Supremacy Clause means and how it works. What is the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause? The Supremacy Clause is a part of the U.S. Constitution. It says that the Constitution, all […]
Deeply Divided: Rekindling Civic Virtues and Values
One of our participants in Common Sense Civics and Citizenship expressed concerns that our nation’s divisiveness may be irreparable for these reasons: -He says two, maybe 3 generations have been indoctrinated rather than educated. -This participant believes such indoctrination has negatively altered our country’s core values. -He argues that coping with these […]
Quiz Time! 5 Basic Civics Questions
As many Americans celebrate the beginning of summer, why not test your civics knowledge? It’s a good time to do a brief review. Here are a few civics questions. Answers appear below to help you check your basic knowledge. Answer key: 1. 27 2. Publius (John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison 3. The 13 […]
Rediscovering Civics: How Culture Hides the Declaration’s Claims
What is the most disputed American concept these days? It is found in the Declaration of Independence. “…that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights..” Here are three reasons why Americans would dispute this claim as untrue: First, they might be receiving their civics lessons from their favorite t.v. personalities, popular unbelieving […]
Memorial Day: Celebrating Heroes Who Served
Memorial Day is a day to celebrate the lives of our American heroes who have died in service to defend the freedoms we enjoy today. Below, I’ve gathered the names of a few heroes to help inspire us as we remember why we pause to celebrate. Note their deeds of valiant courage as they served […]
Understanding America’s Shift towards Socialism
Why are so many Americans voting for socialists, Marxists, or communists? The common reason given is that people are finding it hard to “make ends meet,” so they are looking to politicians for food and housing. History has been around this block more than once, and it’s been a disappointment, albeit an abject failure, yet […]
The American Dream: Liberty, Responsibility & Limited Government
There are many interpretations of the American Dream. I just read one by author Walter Isaacson (The Greatest Sentence Ever Written (2025), Simon & Schuster). He talks about how the American Dream is brought to us by our government through economic means. I disagree. I believe the American Dream rests on limited government plus personal […]
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 […]
