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 […]
Timeless Workplace Decorum: Lessons from George Washington
In an age where incivility feels normal, George Washington’s teenage rules offer a surprising guide to workplace and public decorum. Some years ago, followers of Common Sense Civics and Citizenship studied George Washington’s “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” (Applewood Books, 1988). We learned about the rules of life that George […]
Avoid Tribal Media: Choose Civic Unity
Problems caused by partisan, manipulative, and low‑quality media What kind of media should Americans avoid if they don’t want to break up into a tribal nation (a nation where citizens divide politically, economically, socially, and go to war against each other and eventually break apart)? See also https://civicsandcitizenship.org/americas-challenge-preventing-a-tribal-future/ Don’t consume a steady diet of media […]
Discipline, Faith, and Washington’s Leadership
Recently, I closed an article with this sentence: “Leadership matters…let’s reflect on the importance of leadership, not only whether we like a person or a movement, but also how well we are led.” I came across a couple of General George Washington’s quotes that highlight the discipline and character he expected of individual soldiers […]
Fraternal Affection vs. Factional Fury
What would it look like if America divided itself into two warring divisions with the promise of retribution if one or the other division won power? Let’s look at wisdom from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln that is as relevant today as it was during their time. Guarding Against Partisan Jealousies Washington warned in his […]
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” […]
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” […]
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 […]
Values That Secure Our Republic
What values will make America strong enough to withstand world threats attempting to bring our nation down? The Role of Suffering in National Victory I submit that suffering is a necessary attribute to achieving victory. How would our nation fare if we had to endure hardship to achieve victory in the end? Do we believe […]
Resilience, Faith, and Courage That Built America
This post isn’t about blame; it’s about education. Below are examples of courage, sacrifice, and faith that shaped our national character. Read them and share your thoughts in the comments—without naming, blaming, or shaming political parties or people—so we can learn together. Let’s begin with a powerful example from our nation’s early history. From Valley […]
Questions Every Citizen Must Answer
History shows that socialism is an agenda that entices people groups with promises that have historically yielded a record of failure. How are entire populations won over? Socialists do it with promises of free things and fairness from a “new and improved government” led by someone “smarter” than you. Ask yourself these questions: Who is […]
P.L.A.N. for Peaceful Holiday Gatherings
As we prepare for upcoming celebrations with family and friends, I offer you my common-sense P.L.A.N. for a peaceful event. These get-togethers often involve citizenship issues that spark disagreements. Prior planning prevents poor performance. Take a look: (No) Politics-How to avoid holiday fights P. (No) Politics. If someone begins discussing a highly controversial topic, find […]
The Cost of Convenience: Freedom vs. Freebies
Why would people trade freedom for free stuff? Our Founders believed a good working definition of freedom is “A state of exemption from the power or control of another; liberty; exemption from slavery, servitude, or confinement.” (See https://webstersdictionary1828.com/ ). Look up the former Soviet Union or Venezuela. We the People in certain cities (yes, plural, […]
