How does a nation commemorate a surprise attack on its own soil by invaders who wished to take down our country decisively? What has history shown? I was thinking of 9/11/21. I also thought of times like the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the overwhelming power of the British during our […]
Labor Day: Honoring the American Work Ethic
Before Calvin Coolidge became president, he was governor of Massachusetts. He wrote the following eye-opening statement on September 1, 1919: Calvin Coolidge on the Value of Toil “I cannot think of anything characteristically American that was not produced by toil (work). I cannot think of any American man or woman preeminent in the history of […]
Constitution Day 2026: Why the U.S. Constitution Still Matters for ‘We the People’
Welcome back to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, where we are highlighting Constitution Day (September 17). It’s vital that Americans remember the Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land.” Even amid distractions, We the People are responsible for the direction of our government. Its success or failure rests with us. Let’s reflect on this […]
Preserving American Values: Lessons From the Founders
“It has been often said that the people of this country will decide the important question of whether societies can establish a good government by careful thought and choice. Or whether people are forever destined to be governed only by accident and force.” (Webster, Mary E. The Federalist Papers in Modern Language. 2018. p. 1) […]
Guarding Liberty: Why Americans Must Reclaim Responsibility
During the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic, many Americans refused to comply with a mask ordinance, not believing in its effectiveness. Perhaps in that day and at that time, Americans didn’t look to the elected to run their lives. They didn’t believe that the rich and powerful knew more than they did. They respected the elected, […]
How We Celebrated Independence Day: Discoveries, Revelations
What an incredible weekend of celebrating Independence Day it has been! Our weather was dark, hot, and rainy, but that did not dampen our spirits. My oldest daughter came to celebrate the July 4th holiday with us. We had several in-depth conversations—the kind you have when it’s one-on-one time with a loved one. Family Revelations […]
Exploring Your Family History in America
How did your ancestors get to America? What if you don’t know much about your family history? Start a conversation with the person most likely to know your family. Learn why your grandparents came here, or the family history that goes back decades, or why you came to America, and share your story. We can […]
Declaration Reaffirmation Act: Renewing American Principles
What is the Declaration of Independence Reaffirmation Act of 2026? The Senate unanimously passed the Declaration of Independence Reaffirmation Act of 2026 (S. 4828), which reaffirms the Declaration of Independence as an Organic Law of the United States. The exact wording of the Declaration is included in the bill to ensure its preservation. However, the […]
Resilience and Courage: Lessons from Valley Forge
Seeking Courage in Troubled Times As we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, I want to share stories of unparalleled American bravery. When terrible scenes, whether in government or on our streets, flood the daily news, seek out courageous stories and pass them on. We need encouragement to be who we are as a nation, […]
Rediscovering Civics: How Culture Hides the Declaration’s Claims
What is the most disputed American concept these days? It is found in the Declaration of Independence. “…that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights..” Here are three reasons why Americans would dispute this claim as untrue: First, they might be receiving their civics lessons from their favorite t.v. personalities, popular unbelieving […]
American Courage: Triumphs, Resolve, Innovation
A supreme display of courage and American spirit in the last few weeks has taken the edge off the constant bombardment of negativity in the media. American greatness is a citizenship issue. Let’s discuss it. Artemis II Re-entry: A Nation Inspired The Artemis II crew and their high-stakes re-entry captivated Americans, especially those new to […]
Rediscovering Common Ground: Binding a Nation
What does it actually mean to find common ground in our nation today? Let’s continue our discussion based on the writings of Walter Isaacson in his book “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” (2025). Isaacson’s “Common Ground” and the Greatest Sentence In his chapter “Common Ground,” Isaacson asserts that the Declaration’s self-evident truths “became the creed […]
United by Founding Principles: Restoring Common Ground
Walter Isaacson, in his book “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” (The Greatest Sentence Ever Written (2025), Simon & Schuster), talks about how the self-evident truths (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) in the Declaration of Independence became the foundation of the American government. He writes, “These truths became the creed that bound a diverse […]
Restore Majority Rule: End the Filibuster
Does it bother you that TSA and other federal workers go unpaid during shutdowns?” It does me. Let’s look at this issue. Origins: How the Filibuster Began (1806) At the heart of the matter is the filibuster rule, which was established in 1806 by accident (!) You see, the U.S. Senate unintentionally eliminated a rule […]
Understanding and Preserving Our Fundamental Rights
If someone were to ask you what your fundamental rights as an American are, how would you answer? Many people cite freedom of religion or the right to bear arms as their fundamental American rights. However, those rights are in the Constitution, specifically, the Bill of Rights ratified in 1791. Our country was born in […]
