Candace Donnelly

Welcome once again to our book study on George Washington’s “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” (Applewood Books, 1988). I’ve so enjoyed reading your responses these past few weeks. A few of you have prior knowledge of GW rules for civility. Others of you have been embracing our first President’s treatment […]

Have you read an overview of the Green New Deal yet? You don’t know what you are missing! “Oh,” you say, “I listened to such and such a commentator, or I read about it on Twitter, in my newsfeed, etc.” Here at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, when we have the opportunity to read a […]

Amidst bitter winter temps in much of the nation, I see many people suggesting curling up with a good book. George Washington’s “Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” is probably not what they were thinking 🙂  Even so, we began a book study discussing a few of the rules young George […]

CSCC Word of the Day: RIF (Reduction in Force) The acronym RIF has been bandied about as the government shutdown rolls on. Let’s get clarification on this term.  A Reduction In Force (RIF) is a thoughtful and systematic process of eliminating employee positions.  For all practical purposes, a government RIF is the same thing as a […]

Observing Martin Luther King Day Do you have a favorite quote or remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King? I recall the peaceful protests that Dr. King led. His mission in life became the headlines on the nightly news. His pastoral demeanor, his resolute posture, and his quest for civil rights not only for himself but […]

Let’s talk about common sense citizenship approaches to coping with the longest government shutdown in American history. Have you been affected in some way by the shutdown? What if it goes on for an extended period? What exactly would be a crisis level situation in your opinion? I am all about using common sense to […]

I used to love the Year In Review segments on and in the news when I was a kid (nerdy, right? lol) This tradition continued into much of my adult life. This year, however, I took a pass. All the division, death, discord… seems like those are the highlights of 2018. Frankly, I don’t care […]

“We have this day no less than 2,873 men in a camp unfit for duty because they are barefooted and otherwise naked …” Those were George Washington’s words two days before Christmas,1777 at Valley Forge. It isn’t the first time I have thought about this statement and the condition of the troops that bitter winter […]

Is it a day that lives in infamy? That’s what FDR said concerning December 7,1941 when ”the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”  To live in infamy means that a criminal or evil act will be remembered for time immemorial. Yet, I’m […]

I really felt like getting away from the hustle of bad news, fake news, or news in general but the topic of the White House sporting ugly Christmas trees leapt right out of the news and headed straight for a badly needed prescription of Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. The principles learned are too good […]

Change the language, change the culture. Words that had definitive meanings years ago now are considered offensive words worthy of getting a person ostracized. For example, it is now “bad” to say “nationalism” but historically, nationalism did not have negative connotations until post World War I. The word “nationalism” became tainted when a Serbian nationalist […]

Still thinking about the mid-term election results… The Republicans have the Executive Branch and the Senate. The Democrats won the House of Representatives. We will have a divided government when the 116th Congress convenes on January 3, 2019.  As I awoke in the very early hours this morning, I found myself thinking about the election […]

I Will Vote Anyway: by Common Sense Civics and Citizenship The weather will be bad. I will get a ride, leave my house, and vote anyway. My candidate disappointed me in an “October surprise.” I may change my vote but I will go to the polls and vote anyway. The lines are too long at […]

It is no coincidence that borders and bombers are occupying the news cycle. Let’s look at these issues with Common Sense Civics and Citizenship in mind. Borders- Do you let your teenager’s friends define the rules in your home when they are there? No. Your roof, your rules, right? Every person, family, city, state, and […]

What is going on in our country? That question is reverberating throughout the United States. Let’s view the chaos through the lens of common sense civics and citizenship. Since we don’t do the blame and shame routine here (we stick to principles, not personalities), I have been reticent to comment on such posts. I eliminate […]