It’s Easter time. Let’s take a moment to consider religious freedom during the quarantine. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof:” And so our Bill of Rights begins with that statement. During this COVID-19 time of quarantine, Congress has made no law that establishes a religion. […]
Lives, Livelihoods, Liberty and Law
Is it a question of lives vs. livelihoods at this point in the Coronavirus crisis? What about liberty and law? I was in a digital class with a Constitutional lawyer and several educators last week. I’ve been mulling over these questions ever since. Here are some issues to ponder as we try to “flatten the […]
Factions…and the Virus
It seems like we are dividing up into sides on COVID-19. Have you noticed? See if you recognize yourself or others taking a side. I wrote down a few of the divisions I’ve been witnessing. “The virus is apocalyptic.” vs. “This virus is nothing that Americans can’t handle.” “The data is critical.” vs. “The data […]
Can They Just Do This?
HOW can the president, governor, mayor, whomever just do this? (issue stay-at-home orders, arrest people for being outside for non-essential reasons, close down businesses, spend, 2 trillion dollars, etc.) CAN they just do this? Let’s explore this issue from a Common Sense Civics and Citizenship perspective. The government can do what is necessary to […]
A Personal Note from Candace
How are you doing this week, as we continue to cope with a new, but hopefully temporary “normal?” It’s an interesting trip we’re on as a nation… especially after all of our personal and business travel plans have been cancelled for now. We are beginning to look beyond COVID-19, to what life will look like […]
What Happens After This?
Have you thought about the future implications of the COVID-19 pandemic? We’ve had more time to think. Will introspection bring out the best in America when this “plague” passes over? The numbers of murders in Chicago are way down. Do you think that trend will continue on a national level? Or will things return to […]
Is the Tide Turning?
Do you sense the tide turning on Coronavirus yet? It’s Common Sense Civics and Citizenship application time. We have crossed the midpoint in the President’s 15-day timeline (15 Days to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)). From the beginning, I was willing to cooperate with this 15-day plan because the future and spread of the […]
The Life You Save May Be Your Own
What a difference a day or two makes! Things are changing rapidly. On March 13, I wrote: “The American government is not forbidding any of us from leaving the country. We are not a Communist country. That is why we are free to leave. Non-citizens from certain countries are restricted from entering the U.S.A. If […]
We Got This!
Notice how truly amazing the American people are? We are questioning our public officials while still maintaining the advised cautions. We are doing our due diligence and encouraging others to do the same. We are caring for others even while we fear for ourselves or our household. We have traded routine for a new but […]
Census 2020 Time is Here
Amid the COVID-19 daily changes to our everyday “normal,” the business of being a citizen goes on. Let’s change the subject here for a few moments. Have you or your household received the 2020 Census instructions yet? Mine came, along with a follow-up reminder the next day to submit the form. It is a Constitutional […]
The X Factor
What will turn out to be the X factor with the Coronavirus? There are so many unknowns at this point. There are a few knowns. Let’s discuss and explore these as we face cancellations, financial concerns, confinement, and concerns about the spread of the virus. Since we are Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, we may […]
A Time to Pray
There have been times in our nation’s history when Americans have faced great trials and decisions. The War for Independence, The Constitutional Convention, the Civll War, and World War I are a few examples of times when our nation united collectively to pray in times of trouble.“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…” […]
What’s Our Problem?
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. Each week I look for themes and topics that challenge us to grow in our knowledge of American civics and citizenship. This week, I’m at a loss for words. The news would have us believe that America is standing on the street corner of Fear Avenue and Crazy […]
Welcome New 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 […]
If It Ain’t Brokered, Don’t Fix It
If It Ain’t Brokered, Don’t Fix It! In other words, if a national political convention chooses a candidate on the first round of balloting, celebrate! That candidate won a majority of delegate votes in the first round. Enjoy the party! However, if a candidate is not chosen to represent their party on the first ballot, […]
