Which media voice are you listening to today — the one that fans passive anger and blames others, or the one that confronts hard facts and urges productive action? Do you find that media coverage shapes your opinions and views on civic issues? If so, it can become more challenging to think and reason independently. […]
Senate Filibuster: Past, Present, Future
What is the Senate filibuster, and how does it work? Let’s examine this issue. The Senate was meant to be a deliberative body, using debate and persuasion to come to a decision that benefits We the People. But now, it is merely a clash of partisans. In a sense, some say we have lost our […]
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, […]
Faith, Freedom, and the Founders’ Words
As a lead-up to our country’s 250th birthday celebration, we are continuing in our study of the Declaration of Independence. In my research, I have found it beneficial to look at some of the “back stories” of the Declaration. (for example, Charles Carroll, the longest living signer of the Declaration.) The Religious Landscape of the […]
Leaders Lead: A Commentary
I teach my Civics and Constitution students this principle: “The life of the leader sets the course for the people.” So, the generals need to lose weight and get fit. They have new rules to follow and enforce. Yet, their attitude seemed to be, “he called us here for this???” Yes, setting the course for […]
Declaration: Rights From Creator, Not Government
Two senators had an exchange on the Declaration of Independence regarding the rights of Americans this week. One Senator said, “The notion that rights don’t come from laws and don’t come from the government, but come from the Creator… That’s what the Iranian government believes. So the statement that our rights do not come from […]
Champion of Freedom: Charles Carroll’s Legacy
Let’s meet another unsung hero of the Declaration of Independence: Charles Carroll, the longest-living signer of this founding document. He was a champion of civil and religious liberties and spoke out against oppressive British taxation as well as slavery. Carroll, courageous as he was, took no prisoners when it came to ad hominem attacks. Courage […]
Essential Lessons for Today’s Students
When you see the yellow school buses rolling down your street in late August, you know it’s back-to-school time for America’s children. Whether children are public, private, or home-schooled, I wonder what they will learn about America this year. Will the curriculum be laced with political ideology? Or will their books be fact-based? Will there […]
Understanding D.C. Governance: Laws and Authority
What laws govern the situation in Washington, D.C.? Let’s discover the civics lesson in our nation’s latest controversy. The District of Columbia has been under Home Rule since 1973. The District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 provided a framework for local governance by citizens of the District. The federal government retains oversight responsibilities. […]
Self-Evident Truths: Foundations of Freedom
Have you ever pondered what a self-evident truth is? As we continue our study of the Declaration of Independence, let’s examine how this phrase was used and its significance. Start by reading the words as they are used in this founding American document: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created […]
Reviving the Declaration: Its Modern Relevance
Exploring the Declaration of Independence Americans may have learned about the Declaration of Independence at some point, but what they genuinely want to know is its relevance to today. I conduct workshops on this very subject. People come with high expectations to review or to learn for the first time what’s in this founding American […]
United We Stand: The Power of Participation
Recently, a relatively new American citizen, whose agenda includes abolishing prisons and defunding the police, won the nomination for New York City mayor. In California, there is a mayor, via social media, allegedly calling upon criminal gang members to stand up to ICE. Apply the Principles of Self-Government We the People get the government we […]
Understanding Civics: What is History’s Role?
My recent articles have generated an interesting question. As an example, see https://civicsandcitizenship.org/who-controls-america-states-or-federal-government. History buffs want me to include former times to show where and how they believe our country deviated or went off the rails in their opinion. They strongly desire me to shed the light they have on the issues. Why would I […]
Unity Over Division: A Call to Action
Washington’s Warning: A Timeless Truth George Washington, our first president, warned against Americans dividing into political parties and factions in his farewell address, on Saturday, September 17, 1796. “However [political parties or factions] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by […]
Your Guide to Legislative Engagement
How can the American people do their due diligence with legislation that is too voluminous for even the congressmen and their staff to get through? That is the question from one of our patriot participants this week. She writes: “What about keeping up with contemporary legislation? Our Representatives – who are paid to do this […]
