Have you ever actually read a political party platform? Many devoted Americans skip this step because it seems time-consuming or just plain boring. But if you want to be an informed voter, it is worth the time. Maybe you prefer the drama of the media, or maybe you are still letting other people choose your […]
Should Voting Be Mandatory? Exploring Universal Voter Participation
Should you have a legal obligation to vote? Have you heard about Universal Civic Voting? I wrote about it two years ago ( https://civicsandcitizenship.org/common-sense-applied-3/). Connecticut did not pass this bill, but there is still interest in potentially reaching 100% voter participation in Connecticut by 2030. The Push for Voter Participation It seems the COVID pandemic […]
Three Common Misconceptions About America’s Founding Documents
I’ve heard it more times than I can count… “Judges are appointed for life.” This is not true! I showed my Jr. high students a copy of Article III in the Constitution. I had them see it for themselves: “The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior…” […]
How Character, Consistency, Constitution, and Courage Should Guide American Voting
Why Race, Gender, and Class Dominate Election Choices Based on the news, Americans seem to make race, gender, or class a litmus test for voting for a candidate. Shouldn’t we emphasize character, consistency, the Constitution, and courage? If so, why don’t we make this the norm? It’s a citizenship issue, so let’s discuss it. The […]
Uncovering the Real Christopher Columbus: Facts, Myths, and His Impact
(This is an updated version of the original article) Think you know a lot about Columbus? After all, many of us rely on childhood stories or contemporary professors to assess Columbus. Will the real Columbus please stand? Enter historian Bill Federer. His uncanny knack for explaining historical facts with words, pictures, and word pictures is […]
Know Your Rights: The Bill of Rights Made Easy
Do you know what rights the Bill of Rights guarantees to you as a U.S. citizen? If you ask around, you might be surprised how many Americans aren’t sure. Let’s change that! -The Bill of Rights is a part of the Constitution, not a separate document. -Our rights are God-given, not government-granted. -The five freedoms […]
Quick Quiz on U.S. Constitutional Basics for Students and Learners
Think you know the foundations of American government? Put your knowledge to the test with this quick quiz on the basics of the U.S. Constitution. Whether you’re a student, a lifelong learner, or just brushing up on your civics, these questions will help you review essential constitutional principles in a fun and interactive way. Quiz […]
Why Constitutional Process Still Matters
Power and Control Power and control are magnets for human beings. Anyone who is tuned in to our world today can see the attraction at work in industry, education, media, and politics. Our Founders knew this, so they structured our government with horizontal separation of powers and vertical boundaries between local, state, and national government […]
What Are Checks and Balances? A Teen-Friendly Guide
How would you explain checks and balances to high school students? This concept goes over the heads of many adults, let alone teenagers, so let’s review it. What Are Checks and Balances? First, our Founders developed checks and balances to avoid tyranny, plain and simple. If the government is divided in its responsibilities, each branch […]
Why Knowing the Three Branches of Government Matters for Americans
Alarming Statistics: Americans and Civic Knowledge One in three Americans cannot name the three branches of government. Only 11% can name two of the three branches of government. Also, 16% cannot name any branch of government. (1) Why should you care? The Role of Citizens in a Representative Government Since We the People run the […]
What Would the Founders Think about AI?
What would the Founders think about AI expansion in America? This gives us a modern-day test of constitutional issues that still matter today: centralized power, factions, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Federal Power Was Meant to Be Limited James Madison explains in Federalist No. 45 that constitutional federal power is limited, while the […]
9/11 Remembrance: Honoring Courage and American Resolve
How does a nation commemorate a surprise attack on its own soil by invaders who wished to take down our country decisively? What has history shown? I was thinking of 9/11/21. I also thought of times like the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the overwhelming power of the British during our […]
Federalists vs Anti-Federalists: Key Differences in Constitutional Debate
Who were the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists? As we consider the Constitutional debates, let’s clarify these two groups of patriots. Yes, that’s right. Both groups were patriotic Americans and supported the Constitution. They raised different but compelling concerns over what type of Constitutional government would best serve Americans then and in the future. Why the […]
Labor Day: Honoring the American Work Ethic
Before Calvin Coolidge became president, he was governor of Massachusetts. He wrote the following eye-opening statement on September 1, 1919: Calvin Coolidge on the Value of Toil “I cannot think of anything characteristically American that was not produced by toil (work). I cannot think of any American man or woman preeminent in the history of […]
Constitution Day 2026: Why the U.S. Constitution Still Matters for ‘We the People’
Welcome back to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, where we are highlighting Constitution Day (September 17). It’s vital that Americans remember the Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land.” Even amid distractions, We the People are responsible for the direction of our government. Its success or failure rests with us. Let’s reflect on this […]
