Like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., today we need to focus on a higher place with a better goal. So, why does our nation continue to place a higher emphasis on skin color rather than the content of character? Dr. King would be so disappointed. Some of you remember Dr. King leading peaceful […]
Adopting the House of Representatives Rules
Now that we have a Speaker, what happens next in Congress? The House of Representatives must adopt rules that govern their operations every two years. The 118th Congress votes on those rules as the second order of business. (The Constitution requires the House to elect a Speaker as the first order of business). It’s important […]
The Fifth Amendment and Private Property
What if the government wants to buy your property for its own use? The pictures below depict a home surrounded by beautiful woods— AND a frontage road, an interstate highway, sports field(s), and a multi-story hotel (I took the pictures from the hotel’s 5th-floor window). What is this home doing in the middle of a […]
Speaker of the House: Chaos? Or Constitutional Republic At Work?
The election of the Speaker of the House is going on and on and on. That’s a good thing. It’s our Constitutional Republic at work. Article 1, Section 2 lists the first order of business for the House: Elect a Speaker. It doesn’t say the process is microwavable. Instead, there are no time limits on […]
Write Your Own Script
As we bid farewell to 2022, many people are glad to see the year go. Are you? Usually, I like to recap the year in my mind’s eye, but not this time. It’s the first time it’s both painful to look back and scary to look forward, or so I’m told. Wait. Where did I […]
Conversation
Over the holidays, I had a conversation with a man who interprets the Declaration of Independence very differently from how I teach the founding documents. We hit on three areas of disagreement with the Declaration that I thought might interest you. My view is the “point,” and his is the “counterpoint.” See what you think. […]
Christmas Miracle
Who doesn’t need a story of a Christmas miracle? I never tire of reading about the courage of our forefathers at Christmastime as they built our nation. Their suffering, perseverance, willingness to die rather than surrender, and their hope for a better future speak volumes. They stepped up to the plate when all hope seemed […]
Christmas List For America
What would be on your Christmas list for America? I’m talking about what you want to see for yourself and the next generation. A coveted Christmas gift for your child might be a new pencil or a pair of socks in days gone by. Those were days of finding joy in simple pleasures. We complicate […]
The Present Is All We Have
Many Americans seem to be in a post-election high or a post-election funk. Although this may be true, let’s address those living here and now, not living in yesterday’s results or tomorrow’s hopes. After all, you and I cannot control the past or the future. The present is all we have. Is it appropriate to […]
Wreaths Across America
(Last year I was so moved by the story of the growing national organization “Wreaths Across America” and our fellow Americans’ patriotism, that I wrote about it. Readers to this page warmly received the information, so here is this year’s update. I was surprised to learn that without truckers donating their time, this beautiful tribute […]
Why Are There So Many Global Protests?
Have you checked out the number of protests going on around the globe? You may be consuming fluff for news if you aren’t aware of these things. One visual trip around the world viewing global protests causes a true American to treasure our founding American documents, especially the Bill of Rights. Global Protests for Freedom […]
How to Solve the Homeless Problem
Do you think the homeless population with diagnosable severe mental illness (SMI) should be institutionalized the way it used to be 50 or 60 years ago in this country? How to solve the homeless problem is a hot topic of conversation as we head into the colder months and the holidays. It’s also a civics […]
Thanksgiving 2022
Thanksgiving is a genuine American holiday celebrated from our country’s infancy. Many of you are packing or cooking, planning or preparing. Our celebrations are far more expensive this year and, dare I say, relationship-wise. But, we can successfully gather and give thanks if we remember a few simple lessons. I like to use the acronym […]
The Best Post-Election Analysis
The best post-election analysis may be your own, not someone else’s. Why? Because you can think for yourself, make observations, and use deductive reasoning. More on that in a moment. As an illustration, the newspeople you trust give you THEIR thoughts. But you have your own thoughts on the matter, so why not ask yourself […]
Don’t Fear the Election Process
We need not fear the election process because we have two things: our United States Constitution and our vote. Treasure them and use them wisely. https://civicsandcitizenship.org/the-constitution-the-supreme-law-of-the-land/ What Is Your Part in the Election Process? Two years ago, one of our participants at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship commented about her experience as an election judge. […]
