Civics & Citizenship

Founding-documents-based American civics education

Recapture Our American Civil Discourse

Candace teaches the fundamentals of liberty that inspired the American system of government.
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Four Essential Truths Every Voter Should Know

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Why Every Vote Matters: Understanding Your Civic Responsibility 1. Voting is a right that comes with responsibility.  I know several people who maintain their property, pay their taxes on time, and take good care of their children, but don’t vote because “they don’t like politics” or “no candidates have my values.” Don’t they realize denying their responsibility to vote affects their children, their property, and their communities? The people who gain office make the laws you, your children, and your communities must live under. How to Move Beyond the 'Lesser of Two Evils' Mentality 2. Voting is not choosing between the lesser of two evils. Refuse to view voting as choosing between the lesser of two evils. Instead, vote to restrain evil. Recognize each candidate’s limits and failures, then vote for the one more likely to uphold the Constitution and the law. Building Hope Through Civic Participation, Not Just Election Results 3. Your hope must rest on doing …

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How to Read a Political Party Platform: A Voter’s Guide to Informed Decisions

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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 candidates for you. Today’s electorate should understand that at least a quick scan of a political party platform is essential. You may be surprised at what you find — or what you don’t find. What Is a Political Party Platform? A political party platform is a party’s statement of beliefs, values, and policies. It serves as a kind of mission statement for the party’s overall goals. If you want to know what a party stands for, the platform tells you. That matters because candidates generally represent those positions. Read it carefully and make it personal: do you agree with the policy positions that matter most to you? If not, this may not be your candidate. How to Read a …

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I educate Americans on who we are, what we stand for, and how to communicate with one another!
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Candace has a variety of teaching experiences and is a certified instructor for adults and homeschoolers through the Institute on the Constitution. Her hobbies include walking, world travel, Pilates, writing, and spending time with her grandsons. …

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Recent Articles

Four Essential Truths Every Voter Should Know

Why Every Vote Matters: Understanding Your Civic Responsibility 1. Voting is a right that comes with responsibility.  I know several people who maintain their property, pay their taxes on time, and take good care of their children, but don’t vote because “they don’t like politics” or “no candidates have my values.” Don’t they realize denying […]

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 […]