Civics & Citizenship

Recapture Our American Civil Discourse

Candace teaches the fundamentals of liberty that inspired the American system of government.
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Why the First Amendment Isn’t Unlimited

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Does the First Amendment allow you to say anything you want, where you want, and how you want to say it? That is the belief of many Americans who have not been taught basic elements of the First Amendment. Several of our participants here at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship believe this and say that I restrict their free speech rights by not allowing the use of prominent politicians’ names or political parties in the comments.  What the First Amendment Actually Says What is the first word of the First Amendment? Those who have studied it will know that: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." What is the first word of the First Amendment again? CONGRESS When it comes to speech, the First Amendment prohibits the Government from …

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What “Nazi” Actually Means 

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(The following description may be difficult for sensitive readers.) Do you think words matter, especially words that are associated with genocide? You have heard the word “Nazi” used often in the news. I think we need to review the correct use of that word. Let’s dive in. What the Term “Nazi” Really Refers To “Nazi” correctly describes a “political party of the mass movement known as National Socialism. Under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, the party came to power in Germany in 1933 and governed by totalitarian methods until 1945. Antisemitism was fundamental to the party’s ideology and led to the Holocaust, the systematic, state-sponsored killing of six million Jews and millions of others.” This, according to Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nazi-Party). Why Casual Usage Distorts History It is incorrect to label public figures who express beliefs contrary to popular culture as “Nazis.” No one popular public figure is advocating killing an entire race, group, …

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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

Why the First Amendment Isn’t Unlimited

Does the First Amendment allow you to say anything you want, where you want, and how you want to say it? That is the belief of many Americans who have not been taught basic elements of the First Amendment. Several of our participants here at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship believe this and say that […]

What “Nazi” Actually Means 

(The following description may be difficult for sensitive readers.) Do you think words matter, especially words that are associated with genocide? You have heard the word “Nazi” used often in the news. I think we need to review the correct use of that word. Let’s dive in. What the Term “Nazi” Really Refers To “Nazi” […]

Study Law, Not Promises, When Voting 

Voters should set aside emotion and judge candidates by their constitutional fidelity and past actions. Emotion vs. Scrutiny It is good practice to stand back from the emotion of issues and put them under scrutiny. It’s also good practice to avoid voting for promises. We vote based on a record of action and support for […]

Crafting America’s Defining Sentence, 1776

Look closely at the picture accompanying this article—history in the making. The painting is “Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776” by J.L.G. Ferris.  The Library of Congress describes the painting as “Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams meet at Jefferson’s lodgings, on the corner of Seventh and High (Market) streets in Philadelphia, to review […]

Protecting Worship: A Historical Overview

Did you know that as early as the 17th century, there were laws on the books forbidding the disruption of a religious service in our land? Some news sources claim that disturbing a church service falls under First Amendment rights. However, laws against disrupting religious services date back to the 17th century in America. Historian […]

True American Citizenship: Values, Beliefs, and Freedom

Recently, I received this question from one of our participants at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. He asks, “The problem (one of many) is, many modern Americans have a very haughty opinion of themselves, just because they are American…They have a high opinion of themselves simply because they can claim “citizenship”. Candace, please “dive in” […]

The First Amendment: Peaceable, Not Permissive

Does it bother you when our Constitution is misquoted? It sure gets under my skin. The lack of civics education is once again showing up in America. Over the weekend, we heard the twisting of the First Amendment to say something it doesn’t say about protesting. For example, we heard something like this: “The U.S. […]

Remembering MLK: Sit‑Ins, Fire Hoses, and Courage

My earliest recollections of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are of him leading non-violent, constitutional protests in the 1960s. I was a news consumer from a young age, and Dr. King was on my black-and-white television screen every night, leading throngs of respectfully dressed, well-behaved protesters seeking equal rights in our nation.  Remembering Sit‑Ins and […]

Think Like An American Again

This year promises to be an adventurous year, and not for the faint of heart! To prepare for what lies ahead, I will write a series of articles here on our founding documents. After all, ignorance is not bliss in contemporary culture. We need to be prepared, not only with knowledge but with the ability […]