Sometimes we have to dig a little deeper to find out about our American heritage. The Presidential Oath: Is It a Shared Responsibility? “. . . But he who takes the oath today to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States only assumes the solemn obligation which every patriotic citizen, on the […]
Passion vs. Wisdom in Governance
What are your hopes and dreams? We generally fail to realize that how we are governed has more to say about whether we will ever realize them. The Impact of Governance on Our Hopes and Dreams When I sat down to think about this question years ago, it led me to study our founding documents […]
Opportunity Plus Preparedness
Here’s a thought to ponder as we head into a long Memorial Day weekend…. The person “born on third base” may have an easier time getting to “home plate” than the one born in “the dugout.” Both can make it to “home plate.” Both still have to be alert for opportunities to get to their […]
Honoring Heroes: Memorial Day Traditions
How are you celebrating Memorial Day this year? Even better, who are you remembering? I was surprised that some of my students had no attachment to our American holidays except to eat food with family. Their response prompted me to ask you about your traditions for celebrating Memorial Day. Understanding Memorial Day Maybe younger generations […]
Understanding Checks and Balances on SCOTUS
One of our participants recently asked me a question regarding checks and balances that had me thinking for the past 24 hours. The reader is wondering what clear checks and balances exist for the Supreme Court, “since its rulings are truly far-reaching and highly impactful.” Presidential Check on SCOTUS When we think of checks and […]
Moral Principles in the U.S. Constitution
The Importance of Morality in Governance Morality, defined as the practice of doing what is right, is essential for a free and self-governing society. I contend that we must legislate morality in our country because a society without common moral principles risks being ruled by tyrants. Our Founding Fathers understood this necessity. Rather than devolving […]
Founders’ Values: A Surprising Legacy
What the Founders believed may surprise you. Contrary to common teachings today, very few deists existed in the 18th century. Therefore, deists were outnumbered. Judeo-Christian Morality: A Shared Foundation The Framers had a common belief in Judeo-Christian moral values (not religious doctrine) that are still widely held today. You know the ones- don’t cheat, steal, […]
Framers’ Wisdom: Crafting America’s Constitution
How did our Constitution come into being? Did our Framers mosey into an English-style Pub, order an adult beverage, and begin kicking some ideas around the table? Who inspired them? Today, social media has key influencers. Although our Framers of the Constitution did not have the internet, they had “influencers” whose ideas stood the test […]
Understanding Rights of Undocumented Immigrants
Do criminal illegal aliens have rights in our country? One of our participants asked, “Why do so many believe constitutional rights apply to anyone setting foot on U.S. soil rather than, specifically, U.S. citizens?” I’ve been thinking a lot about this question from a Civics and Constitution teacher’s perspective. Now, I am not a lawyer. […]
Individual Freedom vs. Collective Ideology
There are competing ideologies, and many Americans want it both ways.That is impossible! Today’s Competing Ideologies Our young people chant pro-death slogans against the innocent. Have these people ever studied real history or science? Perhaps if colleges taught an actual body of knowledge and promoted patriotism (i.e., love of one’s country), not tribalism (i.e., oppressor […]
Understanding Congress’s Powers: A Civic Duty
Several of our participants have recently commented on the powers given to Congress in Article 1, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. Do you remember what specific powers those are? We the People grant those powers to Congress, so we should familiarize ourselves with them. Congress has been given power only over the 17 specific […]
Tariffs? Or Tariffed?
Tariffs are dominating the news in a big way. We the People are helping news networks and other media to make a lot of money when we engage in panic and fear, or choose ignorance. It’s a citizenship issue, so let’s discuss it. Understanding Tariffs and Their Impact on Americans I’m a civics teacher, not […]
Congress Basics: Names, Numbers
How much do you know about how Congress works? This week, my junior high is studying names and numbers about Congress and how it works. Here’s a quick quiz to see how much we adult Americans know. Below is an answer bank to help. Hint: there are more answers than you will need. Challenge: see […]
Executive Power vs Judicial Review; SCOTUS Weighs In
There is new information to add to our discussion on “Executive Power vs Judicial Review” https://civicsandcitizenship.org/executive-power-vs-judicial-review/. There were a certainly a variety of opinions on whether the Administration (Executive Branch) was correct to use the Alien Enemy Act and Ludecke v Watkins to deport illegal migrants. Matt Nahrgang, a lawyer and participant at Common Sense […]
What Would You Say to Greenland?
What would you tell the people of Greenland (population 56,000) if you had the opportunity to discuss their country joining the United States? I’ve been thinking about this for a while. For example, what would I say if I could write a guest editorial? What would you say? It’s a civics and citizenship issue, so […]
