Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉🇺🇸Martha Troyer, Geronimo Beltran, Andrea Tucker, Joanne Jacobs, Michael Conn, Sonja Johnson, Mike Donnelly, Holly Dehner, Calvin McGinnis, Tim Kim Fritz
We the People -Casual Conversations about the ConstitutionRecently, on my travels, I engaged in several casual conversations about the Constitution. The Preamble and its relevancy today perked my fellow American’s ears. Let’s review a few phrases that my new traveling acquaintances found interesting:[Note: Before reading further and commenting, please know that this is my civics education page (that I pay for), not a political one. Do not name prominent people or blame political parties. Speak with respect and civility here. No additional pictures, links, or book ad sales, please]. We the PeopleThose three words are the basis for our Constitution, which, unlike other governments, tells the government what it can and cannot do. Our Constitution limits and defines government authority. We the People are in charge, contrary to what some politicians, the press, or professors would have you believe. It says We the People, not they, the king, the dictator, or the president.A More Perfect UnionAsk yourself, more perfect than what? Than the Articles of Confederation, which was a little too loose! For example, there was no president (no executive official) and no judicial branch (no legal official).To pass any legislation required a supermajority (nine of the original thirteen states). Notice that the Preamble does NOT say we are establishing “a perfect union,” which even our highest elected government officials tend to say is something we are trying to achieve.Establish JusticeSince the Articles of Confederation had no court system, the U.S. Constitution offers Article III an orderly establishment of courts to establish justice. It does not say to establish justice along party lines.Insure Domestic TranquilityShay’s Rebellion in 1786-87 was a Massachusetts tax protest that the central government, under the Articles of Confederation, couldn’t quell. There needed to be a means to settle disputes within the states that had the potential to break apart our union. The United States ensures domestic tranquility, not by dictatorship or misuse of justice but by freedom of speech and of the press, peaceful protest, and redress of grievances. Provide For the Common DefenseNobody pays taxes voluntarily; would you agree? Under the Articles of Confederation, we had a series of voluntary requisitions (asks) for money. When that proved insufficient, the United States, under the Constitution, funded (and still does) a military to provide for our common defense.Promote the General WelfareNotice that the Constitution does not even hint at giving specific citizens or groups specific welfare. The United States is to promote the general good (welfare or well-being) of its citizens.Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and Our PosterityWhat are the blessings of liberty? Who were the Founders referring to by the word “posterity?”My traveling acquaintances were somewhat surprised to hear the words of the Preamble. They didn’t argue. Instead, one asked if they could join my class! You may be asking yourself why some of these phrases seem outdated today. They are not obsolete. They are in the Preamble to show what our Founders intended for us and what the Constitution, through its seven Articles and twenty-seven amendments, is to provide for us, in addition to securing our rights. This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.
When You Change the Language, You Change the CultureChange the language, change the culture. Words that used to have definite meanings years ago are now considered offensive words worthy of getting a person ostracized. For example, it is now "bad" to say "nationalism." Historically, nationalism did not have negative connotations until post-WWI. [Note: I will name an historical person below to illustrate one point of this article. However, do not name prominent people or blame political parties. Before reading further and commenting, please know that this is my civics education page (that I pay for), not a political one. We've heard it all before. Speak with respect and civility here. We welcome a short comment. No additional pictures, links, or pitches for book sales, please]. How Changing the Language Changes the CultureThe word "nationalism" became tainted when a Serbian nationalist assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, causing a war involving many countries and 16 million deaths. The thought that one nation was superior to another led to a World War! This caused nations to frown on using the word "nationalism." Today, nationalism has become associated with a source of hatred, such as bigotry.Know What Words Mean TodayIt's Common Sense Civics and Citizenship to understand what words mean so that when you formulate your opinions, you clearly grasp definitions and how to use them. Understanding definitions can help, especially in those awkward moments of discussion with the younger generation. Three words that need clarification today are Americanism, Nationalism, and Patriotism. You know I love to use Webster's 1828 Dictionary because the language and definition of words are closest to the understanding at the time of our country's founding. Nationalism was not in Webster's 1828 Dictionary, for the nation was still in its infancy. I turned to the Collins English Dictionary to define nationalism in American and British English. Let's start with Americanism- "The love which American citizens have for their own country, or the preference of its interests."Next is patriotism- "Love of one's country; the passion which aims to serve one's country, either in defending it from invasion, or protecting its rights and maintaining its laws and institutions in vigor and purity. Patriotism is the characteristic of a good citizen, the noblest passion that animates a man in the character of a citizen."Here is an American English definition of nationalism- a) "devotion to one's nation; patriotism" and b) "excessive, narrow, or jingoist patriotism; chauvinism; the doctrine that national interest, security, etc. are more important than international considerations."Finally, the British definition of nationalism is "a sentiment based on common cultural characteristics that bind a population and often produce a policy of national independence or separatism."Words Are Not Readily InterchangeableOne can see that the words are not readily interchangeable. You can love your country and prefer its interests to that of another country, such as Russia. That's Americanism. You can love your country and exercise your passion for your homeland by serving in the military, serving in leadership, or simply by being a good citizen with noble intent. This describes a patriot. A patriot may also believe in Americanism but may also be a nationalist, that is, devoted to one's nation. That person may also believe in traditional American exceptionalism or "America First" policies. It indicates a natural pride in one's country. However, today, the words "America First" are taken to mean a vindictive or amoral pride in America associated with nationalism.The Point Is, Words Mean ThingsI hope that by clarifying these words, you can more effectively participate in discussions and understand how the media may be using these words to report news stories to you. How we apply words is up to us. But be aware: when you allow the language to change, you change the culture. This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
The Supreme Court Renders Its Opinion on the Fourteenth Amendment, Sec. 3: The big winner is The U.S. Constitution, 9-0.Since this is a civics eduction page, not a political one, let's examine the applicable civics issues only, not the specific candidates or their political parties. [Note: Do not name prominent people or blame political parties. Please know that this is my civics education page (that I pay for), not a political one. Speak withcivility in your brief comment. No additional pictures, links, or sales pitches, please.] What Does the SCOTUS Opinion Say?"Responsibility for enforcing Section 3 (of the fourteenth amendment) against federal officeholders and candidates rests with Congress and not the states." The judgment of the Colorado Supreme Court, therefore, cannot stand."What Does It Mean? The Constitution does not give states the right to choose who We the People can vote for. My state was one that not only wanted to decide who I could vote for but also suggested that write-ins would not be counted. Just a few days ago, I showed my Jr. High students an actual ballot. A twelve-year-old asked if voters could write a name in if they didn't like the other choices. Even children have a sense of their rights as Americans, even at a young age!Another important consideration: The Supreme Court's March 4 opinion reinforces the language in the Constitution from 150 years ago. Recently, we discussed here on this page that if you change the language, you change the culture. This latest opinion doesn't contradict the post-Civil War language.Today's SCOTUS couldn't make its statement any clearer; the responsibility for enforcing Fourteenth Amendment section 3 is the sole responsibility of Congress. States cannot take a national candidate off the ballot. Congress alone has that right. Why is this? We the People elect Senators and Representatives to represent us in Congress. State officials don't represent its citizens in federal matters. See the Tenth Amendment, a part of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution.Is This Decision a Threat to Democracy?Abiding by the rule of law is not a threat to democracy in a Constitutional Republic. However, it is a threat to the Republic if the citizens cannot choose who is on the ballot. The ballot is not concerned with feelings; rather, it is a function of the rule of law.The big winner in this decision is the U. S. Constitution— and We the People.This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸#civics101 #nopolitics #SupremeCourt