Welcome New and Returning Subscribers! Sometimes, good topics that engage readers are difficult to come by. That was not the case this week. Even our returning astronauts noted the difference and the difficult times since they took off for their mission in May! My friends and family had different challenges, even as the nation is […]
A Sharp Contrast
A few days ago, I wrote about the cancel culture movement (*link appears at the end of this article). There seems to be some confusion between the leftist activist movement in our country and cancel culture. I see two distinct movements at work. On the one hand, cancel culture is used primarily as a vehicle […]
Understanding Article III: The Judiciary Explained
Today we’re taking a look at Article III of the U.S. Constitution, which sets up the federal government’s Judicial Branch. Article III is short. The Judicial Branch, which seems so complicated, is understandable. Let’s have a “go” at it. The U.S. Constitution establishes the Supreme Court Congress sets up or has the authority to abolish […]
This Week in Common Sense Civics and Citizenship
It’s been a long, hot summer. The weather is hot, but so are cultural topics- Cultural Values and the American Dream, Cancel Culture, and in our series on Simple Civics 101. You’ll find all of these articles in this newsletter. You’ll also get a peek into my mailbag. Opening up the mailbag lends itself to […]
Cancel Culture-Good for the Culture??
Have you or someone you know been affected by the cancel culture movement? According to dictionary dot com,” cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. Cancel culture is generally discussed as being performed on social media in the […]
From the Mailbag
From my mailbag: Let’s take a peek inside my Common Sense Civics and Citizenship mailbag to see what is on a few fellow Americans’ minds. (There’s always a link on this website to “Join the Conversation” if you would like to see the responses and conversations we have on my social media education page). Question: […]
Simple Civics 101-The Executive Branch
Let’s do a basic civics review of the Presidency, which is the federal government’s Executive Branch. Qualifications: Must be at least 35 years old Natural born citizen of the United States Must be a resident of the United States for the past 14 years Term of Service: Four years Two-term limit Note: the Founding Fathers […]
Cultural Values and the American Dream
Do Americans still want the American Dream? Do Americans still believe if we take responsibility for our lives and work hard, we will obtain individual freedom and achieve our personal goals? Do Americans even want to work hard? Or do they want a nanny state to take care of them? These questions are rolling around […]
Term Limits-Good or Bad?
How familiar are you with the idea of term limits for Congress? Do you even care? I hope you do. My purpose here is not to argue about term limits because both sides make a solid case for their position. I doubt if anything I say will change your mind. (People dig their heels in […]
Simple Civics 101
The Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch is the least popular branch among Americans. You may likely be one of those Americans who disapproves of Congress. They make law, but some would argue that they do nothing (which is good, because then there are fewer laws to follow)! Ironically, We the People elect those who serve […]
Welcome New and Returning Subscribers!
Thank you for subscribing to the weekly updates. Each week I will include the latest articles I have written. An occasional personal note from me will also arrive in the weekly email. The advantage of being a subscriber is the ability to see Common Sense Civics and Citizenship without the comments that usually appear with […]
America’s Identity Crisis
Remember what it was like to go through an identity crisis in your younger life? Fun, eh? Not so much. How did you resolve who the real “you” is? What changes for the better did you make? What good things about yourself did you or someone close to you remind you of as you worked […]
Simple Civics 101
Simple Civics 101- a weekly review of basic American civics Today we are discussing Federal and State powers. It has become evident in the past several weeks that many Americans don’t understand the difference between the federal government’s responsibilities and their state government. (Think “pandemic response” or “Seattle’s former CHOP zone as examples). Studying civics […]
The Necessity of a Basic Civics Education
One of the more common questions I receive at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship is, “Why doesn’t the President do something (about the state of our nation)?” This question shows a tremendous lack of American civics knowledge. Americans who did not have a strong civics foundation have a sense that the President is a parent-like […]
Happy Birthday, America!
I dissolved the political bands of Communism before it connected me. It happened when Nikita Khrushchev banged his shoe on the table and threatened, “Your grandchildren will live under Communism.” He was talking about my posterity. When Nikita Khrushchev said, “We will bury you,” and, “Your grandchildren will live under communism,” I believed he was […]
