Join the Discussion - Civics & Citizenship

1 day ago

How important is it for our country’s leaders to know the basic fundamentals of American government? Better yet, do you think it is important? Let’s look at recent occasions of misquoted or forgotten American foundations and then decide.Recently, a prominent national leader misquoted the Declaration of Independence. What did they leave out? “…that we are endowed with the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Big miss to leave out WHO endows us with our rights. Is it God? Or Government? If the government gives you liberty and the right to own your income and property, the government can take them away. Our Founders said that our Creator endows us with these unalienable rights.But what else is missing? The unalienable right to life was left out. If we aren’t endowed with the right to life, how can we enjoy liberty or the pursuit of happiness (our property)?Here’s a big problem: If our national leaders misquote our founding American documents, we become (through our ignorance) easy prey for those nations who want to conquer us. That’s right. We have enemies that despise our rights and freedoms. These nations would love nothing more than to take our unalienable rights away and own us.In another case about a week later, a senator was questioning a U.S. District Judge nominee at a confirmation hearing. He asked, “Do you know what Article V does?” The nominee answered, “Article V does not come to mind.” The senator then asked, “What about Article II?” Again, the prospective district judge said Article II does not come to mind. My students learn an easy way to remember the Articles of the U.S. Constitution. It’s elementary. We take the first letter of each Article and make a sentence out of it. “Let Everyone Judge Rightly And Support Ratification.” That would be: LegislativeExecutiveJudicialRelations Among the StatesAmendmentsSupremacy Clause (and General Matters)RatificationAfter all, if school-age children can learn this, should not highly experienced judicial nominees know that Article II deals with the presidency and Article V is about the amendment process?Finally, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee proposed an amendment to the committee rules that would require members to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of their meetings. Opposition to this proposal is that Congress already opens with the Pledge of Allegiance, so why do it twice in one day? BTW: It takes about 13 seconds to recite the Pledge.So, you decide. Are we asking too much of national leaders to know and support our founding documents and recite the Pledge, possibly more than once per day? The basics of American government-how important is it that our leaders know them?Note: Avoid using names of political figures or their parties in the comments. No additional picture or links or links, please.This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸 ... See MoreSee Less

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Common Sense Civics and Citizenship

4 days ago

(In mid-winter, Americans like to think about vacation plans. Consider these principles as you dream, plan, and prepare).Travel is a great way to enhance your civics knowledge. It’s a fascinating way to learn about America through the lens of hikes, road trips, and really any mode of travel. Recently, I taught my Jr. High civics students a lesson about travel using three principles: 1. You leave home (travel) to find things different, not the same.Isn’t it funny how we set out on a journey and want things to be just as they always are! We want our same trail, same favorite foods to taste the same way, the climate to be at our comfort level and the like. I recently went to California, where it rained a whole lot the entire time we were there. Did that stop us from having fun? Absolutely not! Instead, we borrowed umbrellas, walked a couple of miles during the day and took leisurely walks along the ocean at night. We explored the area by foot (best way to travel 🙂 We don’t let inclement weather stop us. We’ve been on vacation when it was a balmy -35 below zero. That didn’t stop us from going out and doing some exploring of the town using a “hop on, hop off” transit feature. Turns out that my students could relate to leaving behind the familiar to embrace the adventure of the unknown. The kids said that they “meet new people and have to be flexible on trips.” 2. You don’t take the trip. Rather the trip takes you.This saying was brought to my attention years ago in a travel article. I never forgot it. It helps when the unexpected happens, like delays, languages lost in translation, getting lost with no signal on the rented GPS. It works when the coffee is too strong/weak or your favorite food isn’t anywhere to be found and you are craving it. The trip takes you to unknown caverns off the beaten path, and you may even find your next home around the world or on the next block. One student told us of a rerouted vacation that took them to another state. Another told us of car trouble. We talked about how many thousands of travelers were stranded when planes couldn’t fly. We concluded that you make your plans, but when the unexpected happens, “going with the flow” and having a little extra “pocket change” saves the trip. 3. You won’t return home the same. Travel changes you.When I return home from travel, I throw things out. It’s like I didn’t notice these items until I realized they weren’t needed. Moreover, I’ve made life decisions when distractions weren’t around to cause delay. The students had to think a little deeper about this one because they weren’t sure they wanted to be changed. In the end, change is good, yes change is good.Without a doubt, if we don’t leave home to explore the neighborhood and meet neighbors or explore beyond the city limits, we miss the great opportunity before us to challenge ourselves. Why not meet new people and embracing the adventure—two things that make us better citizens?This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. Important: Avoid using names of political figures or their parties in the comments. No additional picture or links or links, please. ... See MoreSee Less

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Common Sense Civics and Citizenship

1 week ago

National Issues: A Political or a Constitutional Solution?What is better for our country's problems? A political or a constitutional outcome? Political results are usually a short-term fix that change with the prevailing party in power. A constitutional solution adheres to the Supreme Law of the Land. It's a solid foundation that connects us to the generations who lived in, fought for, and built our nation. Let's look at a few of our national issues with an eye to constitutional solutions.The Presidential PapersThis topic receives more press than any other these days-more coverage than the border, the national debt, young deaths from various causes, crime, etc. Why is this topic the headline stealer? What might be happening behind the scenes that the public does not yet know? What is a constitutional way to look at this issue? The Fourteenth Amendment says that "no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." It also implies that no one is above the law. Whatever is wrong for you or me to do is wrong for anyone in a leadership or administrative position to do. The Sixth Amendment principle is that a person is innocent of a crime until proven guilty, regardless of what it looks like in the media. You are entitled to a speedy, fair trial by jury and have a defense attorney. Can you see why a political outcome is inferior to a constitutional result in this case? A political outcome is based on feelings like sympathy or retribution. Rendering a constitutional application allows the facts to come to light and a better judgment.The BorderIf Article IV, Sec. 4 says that the federal government must protect us from invasion, does this imply guaranteed border protection? "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a republican (representative) Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence."A political solution would benefit some people but not the citizenry as a whole. Is the U.S. Constitution specific to the U.S. or for the world? The constitutional outcome is preferable and lawful if it is specifically for Americans.LawlessnessThe U.S. Constitution, in Article VI, calls itself the Supreme Law of the Land. Simply put, we have laws, and those laws must be followed. What results do you see when the law is ignored? Tyranny, death, destruction, low living standards, unhappiness, failure to thrive, bribery, and more. Ask yourself if you see areas where the law is being ignored. What does the political outcome look like in that scenario? What does adherence to the Constitution yield? I invite you to comment but remember: names of people and political parties are not a part of our discussions. We are an education page, not a public policy or a personal page. No additional links or photos, please.Can you think of any other constitutional applications or potential outcomes to add?This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸 ... See MoreSee Less

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Civics & Citizenship

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National Issues: Political or Constitutional Solution?January 24, 2023 By Candace Donnelly What is better for our country's problems? A political or a constitutional outcome? Political results are usu...

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Common Sense Civics and Citizenship

2 weeks ago

Do you want a centralized government where the federal government has the power and most of the control? Or do you prefer a national government with a constitution that divides federal power with regional entities (like states)? Think about it carefully.What Are the Arguments?The argument for a centralized authority sounds something like this:We need a national ban on guns, fossil fuels, etc., to protect us from fellow citizens.The government needs to protect the food supply by restricting births.We will die unless the administration does _________ to protect us.The government needs to make all education free for everyone.The world will crumble unless somebody does something now!The argument for a decentralized government sounds like this:Citizens are free to do what is best for their families as long as their choice is in line with the Constitution and state and local laws.The sheriff stands between the citizen and federal power as a protection from an overreaching national government.Citizens are responsible for making sound fiscal, moral, and life decisions.Life is full of challenges. We expect the best but prepare for the worst. While one way of governing is based on fear, the other is based on personal responsibility. What Kind of Government Do We Have?Our Founders set up the Constitution as a decentralized form of government called a constitutional representative republic. But some have not been taught the Constitution (civics) or its original intent (history). They want federal power to be unlimited. Why?Given these points, I suggest that those who favor a centralized government want all the power. They do not trust that everyday people can actually run their own lives. Have you ever met a person (maybe a boss?) who doesn’t trust you to get the job done, so their hands-on management style is “all over you?”Contrast that with a boss who lets you and your creativity address problems and find solutions. Such a boss only interferes with the flow of progress when necessary or as needed. That’s how our federal government is supposed to run. Let local government entities (city, county, state) solve their issues. Only come in to help when asked.Of course, there are national responsibilities like infrastructure, postal service, and the military. There are additional constitutional responsibilities like our First Amendment freedoms and the Bill of Rights. Where Do We See Progress?But where have you seen the most progress? In centralized governments like Russia, China, Venezuela, Peru, or other look-a-likes? Or in a decentralized one like the United States is designed to be? I would argue that the freer the government, the more real progress occurs.What is your preference? Centralized or decentralized government? Why? Remember that we are a civics education site, so using political names or political parties is not permitted in the comments. Keep the focus on civics education. No additional pictures or links, please.This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸 ... See MoreSee Less

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