The Next Civil War Seems Unlikely![]()
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Do you think America is headed for another Civil War? I get comments from readers that donβt simply question the possibility. They assume it. Or fear it. Or both. Similarly, some media commentators occasionally do so. So, Iβve been thinking this through and doing some research. It appears that the idea of another Civil War is being promoted as an inevitable event that will soon occur. Iβm not buying it. Emotion is not an effective strategy to accomplish goals. Thinking things through to logical outcomes is a better way to achieve a satisfactory result.![]()
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Emotions Alone Cannot Justify Conflict![]()
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Here are some declarations that feed on emotion:![]()
βThe USA is coming to its end because all nations come to an end.β![]()
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βWe have no unity,β they say. They call us the βDivided States of America.β![]()
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Naysayers claim that there are two distinct sides in America, and both have intense dislike for the other.![]()
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A citizen who may have mental issues takes up arms to kill those with whom they disagree. A contingent of regular citizens makes a hero out of the assassin.![]()
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National Cohesion vs Theoretical Division![]()
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I offer this rebuttal to those who are ready to βthrow in the towelβ on our nation.![]()
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While all nations come to an end, so do all people. Butβwe are here now. So is our nation. We have a legacy to pass on and a country to save. We need more positive passion and action than the other side(s) have in promoting negativity and failure. You never got a good grade in school or promotion at work by being pessimistic about your prospects for success. Instead, you kept your eye on the goal and did your best. The same applies here.![]()
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We are NOT the divided states in practice. This is only in theory. There is a difference between actuality and potentiality. One deals with reality, while the other is a possibility (not necessarily a probability). We are the United States of America in reality. Our Founders warned us of the chance of failure. Recall this exchange between Benjamin Franklin and a concerned woman:![]()
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βWhat kind of government have you given us, Sir?β ![]()
βA Republic, if you can keep it.β![]()
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Preserving the Republic Through Peaceful Means![]()
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We are still in the business of keeping our Republic. Can you honestly say that you would be willing to take the life of an everyday Kansan, Texan, Carolinian, or Marylander because you disagree with that person? It wasnβt pretty the first time around in 1861. It would be far more ugly if we ever pursued this course again. I understand Americans who would defend our country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We are familiar with the usual suspects for foreign enemies. The question to ask is, βWho is our domestic enemy?β As a country, we must resolve that question through conversation and, if necessary, at the ballot box. Under no circumstances is it right to take the law into your own hands, unless it is to save your own life.![]()
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Keep in mind, should America ever decide to divide itself against each other through armed conflict, major world powers are ready to pounce on our weakness. They would love the opportunity to come in and rule us. We ought not to tempt their lust for power.![]()
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It would be far better if we pass on our legacy of freedom and take a positive stance to save the country through every lawful and peaceful means at our disposal.![]()
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This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.πΊπΈ![]()
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(Please keep comments focused on the principles of responsible civic engagement. Do not name specific political figures or partiesβno additional pictures or links, please).
Marxism: The political, economic, and social theories of Karl Marx, including the belief that the struggle between social classes is a major force in history and that there should eventually be a society in which there are no classes. [This is what is behind denigrating wealth and redistributing that wealth and property to those with low incomes. But, who decides what βpoorβ is?]![]()
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This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. πΊπΈ![]()
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Read the full article here civicsandcitizenship.org/marxism-a-utopian-illusion-or-reality/ and click the link in our bio to receive weekly newsletters. ![]()
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#freedom #americangovernment #commonsense #civics #citizenship #civildiscourse #liberty #america #education #teaching #politicalliteracy #civicsandcitizenship
Pursuit of Happiness: Rights and Civic Responsibility![]()
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As we continue our study of the Declaration of Independence, letβs delve deeper into the meaning of the βPursuit of Happinessβ at the request of one of our participants.![]()
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Understanding the Pursuit of Happiness![]()
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When I teach teens this phrase, I start by telling them what it is NOT, i.e., the government buying you a cell phone, paying for your college, or ensuring that you reach a state of contentment.![]()
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Certainly, our Founding Fathers believed that We the People are responsible for our own happiness. Achieving this is a matter of personal faith and freedom to pursue our individual goals. The Founders structured a government that allows us to choose our path in life and develop the discipline necessary to achieve it. Although imperfectly applied by imperfect humans, when we reach our goals, the fruits of our labor are ours to enjoy and do not belong to the government. They belong to us.![]()
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Pursuit of Happiness: Individual Goals and Government's Role![]()
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When in doubt about terms or language of our founding documents, I consult ![]()
webstersdictionary1828.com. These definitions are in the language of our country at the time of its founding. One of the definitions of βpursuitβ is:![]()
βA following with a view to reach, accomplish or obtain; endeavor to attain to or gain; as the pursuit of knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or pleasure; the pursuit of power, of honor, of distinction, of a phantom.β So βpursuitβ can be used to either obtain good or evil. For example, if you pursue:![]()
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Wealth- You could steal and cheat to acquire it.![]()
Security-You could oppress others.![]()
Power- You could enslave and kill to get it.![]()
Pleasure - It could end in shame.![]()
Control- You could grasp it in nefarious ways to achieve it.![]()
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Pursuing Happiness: Personal Freedom and Civic Duty![]()
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The definition of βhappinessβ in Websterβs 1828 dictionary is lengthy. One phrase caught my attention: βPerfect happiness or pleasure unalloyed with pain, is not attainable in this life.β![]()
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By exploring the meaning of the Pursuit of Happiness, we learn that we, not the government, are responsible for our individual goals. The governmentβs job is to protect our God-given, inalienable right to pursue our goals and enjoy the fruits of our labor.![]()
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(Please keep comments focused on the principles of responsible civic engagement. Do not name specific political figures or partiesβno additional pictures or links, please).![]()
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This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship πΊπΈ
Amorality takes many forms. For example, we recognize murder as amoral but to support savage murder, i.e., tying mother and child together and burning them beyond recognition, beheading infants, or killing innocent people in pajamas (not in combat uniform), thus defying all rules of warfare, is also amoral. ![]()
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This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. πΊπΈ![]()
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Learn more and sign up for weekly email updates at the link in our bio, and read the full article here civicsandcitizenship.org/can-amoral-people-remain-free/![]()
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#freedom #americangovernment #commonsense #civics #citizenship #civildiscourse #liberty #america #education #teaching #politicalliteracy #civicsandcitizenship
