Do criminal illegal aliens have rights in our country? One of our participants asked, “Why do so many believe constitutional rights apply to anyone setting foot on U.S. soil rather than, specifically, U.S. citizens?” I’ve been thinking a lot about this question from a Civics and Constitution teacher’s perspective. Now, I am not a lawyer. […]
Constitution Be Changed By Passing a Law?
The U.S. Constitution can be changed, but only by the Amendment process as outlined in Article V. A couple of people on the Common Sense Civics and Citizenship education page have argued that our legislators can pass a law that changes the Constitution. Not understanding how the Constitution works is a civics issue, so let’s […]
Significance of Inauguration
The Significance of January 3: Swearing in the New Congress (Happy Holidays! Welcome back to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, where I am answering a few of your questions today. Let’s get started). Why is the new Congress (119th Congress) sworn in on January 3? What is so special about that day? The Twentieth Amendment, […]
Understanding the 25th Amendment and Presidential Succession
Have you heard rumblings about the 25th Amendment in the past few days? I sure have, and from different sources, too. To be “in the know,” let’s quickly review this section of the Constitution. You may find one or more of the sections to be of great interest. The Twenty-fifth Amendment concerns presidential succession and […]
The Seventh and Eighth Amendments: Preserving Justice and Liberty
Have you considered the Seventh and Eighth Amendments as guardians of Justice and Liberty for We the People? The Seventh Amendment protects the right to a jury trial in (federal) civil cases. This was a big deal to the Anti-Federalists, so much so that James Madison had to construct this amendment and add it to […]
The Surprising Connections Between Amendments V and VI and Everyday Life
There are surprising connections between Amendments V and VI. For example, have you ever wondered where you retain the legal right to remain silent if arrested? Or what happens if you, as the defendant, can’t afford legal counsel for criminal or civil court proceedings? Constitutional Amendments V and VI, respectively, address those rights. As you […]
Maximizing Your Tax Returns: A Common-Sense Approach
With all the tax talk going around this week, let’s look at some common-sense tax considerations. Are Tax Refunds Good? First, if you got a big refund, you just loaned the federal government your money for free. Far better to break even or owe a little. What??? That’s right. When your money is in your […]
Supreme Court Renders Opinion On the Fourteenth Amendment
The Supreme Court Renders Its Opinion on the Fourteenth Amendment, Sec. 3: The big winner is The U.S. Constitution, 9-0. What Does the Supreme Court’s Decision 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, […]
Interpreting the Constitution
When Judges interpret the Constitution by their preferences, we must ask: Is their preference what our Founders and Framers intended? Think about it: If today’s judges insert their preferences, they, in effect, change the law based on what they want it to say, not on what the law and the facts intend. Interpreting the Constitution […]
Navigating the Twenty-Fifth Amendment: A Guide
The Twenty-fifth Amendment concerns presidential succession and disability. “In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice-President shall become President.” In light of recent discoveries by a Special Counsel regarding the current President, (that he is mentally unsound to face a criminal prosecution trial) Americans are […]
The Fourteenth Amendment In the News
Let’s brush up on the Fourteenth Amendment, which is once again in the news. Indeed, it is the Christmas holiday season. So, we will look at this with the aim to be informed citizens. There is no politics, just education outside the realm of public opinion. The Question Can a state disqualify a presidential candidate […]
Competing Ideologies and the First Amendment
I don’t get it. There are competing ideologies, and many Americans want it both ways. It’s so bizarre. The Competing Ideologies Our young people chant pro-death slogans against the innocent. Have these people ever studied real history or science? Perhaps if colleges taught an actual body of knowledge and promoted patriotism (i.e., love of one’s […]
Founding Principles: The Bill of Rights
(We now add to our study, The Bill of Rights, the fifth (and final) in our series of liberty-building blocks based on America’s Founding Principles.) Do you know what rights The Bill of Rights guarantees to you as a U.S citizen? Conduct an impromptu survey, and you will find that many Americans do not know […]
The Bill of Rights Explained
(We now add to our study, The Bill of Rights, the fifth (and final) in our series of liberty-building blocks based on America’s Founding Principles.) Do you know what rights The Bill of Rights guarantees to you as a U.S citizen? Conduct an impromptu survey, and you will find that many Americans do not know […]
The Fourteenth Amendment
I’m sure you’ve heard that the Fourteenth Amendment is in the news. Let’s revisit our Constitution to ensure We the People can interpret the story correctly, not letting emotional media reports guide us. Amendment XIV- One of the Post-Civil War Amendments Amendments Thirteen through Fifteen are called the post-Civil War Amendments or Slave Amendments. Amendment […]
