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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Embrace America’s Founding: A Call to Unity
Many Americans wonder, “How did we get where we are today?” They acknowledge that things have gone “off the rails.” We the People must embrace America’s founding principles instead of trying to change her into something she is not. Let’s challenge ourselves for a moment. The Imperfection of Generations Accept the fact that no generation […]
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 […]
Unmasking Myths: The Role of Judges
Do you know the role of Judges? Our constitutional illiteracy shows up in misconceptions about their job. You might be surprised by the truth behind the Judge’s role in our Constitutional Republic. Let’s take a look: Authority Myth 1. Judges do not have the authority to make laws. That authority belongs solely to the Legislative […]
Embracing Our Civic Duty Today
Sometimes we have to dig a little deeper to find out about our American heritage. The Presidential Oath: Is It a Shared Responsibility? “. . . But he who takes the oath today to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States only assumes the solemn obligation which every patriotic citizen, on the […]
Congress Basics: Names, Numbers
How much do you know about how Congress works? This week, my junior high is studying names and numbers about Congress and how it works. Here’s a quick quiz to see how much we adult Americans know. Below is an answer bank to help. Hint: there are more answers than you will need. Challenge: see […]
The Economy IS a Civics Issue
Recently, I was informed by a participant that my article, “DOGE, Dividends, and Debt” (https://civicsandcitizenship.org/doge-dividends-and-debt/ )was political and not a civics issue. I say economic issues are civics issues. Let’s discuss. The Economy Impacts Our Lives Comprehending how your government taxes you, spends your money or grows the economy is essential to understanding how our […]
Stinking Thinking in America and the Path Forward
Have you heard? Some Americans are sympathizing with, even claiming to love, a CEO killer they neither know nor have met. This is not normal. Yet, in the twentieth century and today, certain Americans evaluate suspects based solely on their outward appearance, disregarding the alleged crime entirely. This blind affirmation of physicality over facts or […]
What the State of the Union Is Meant to Be
Article II, Sec. 3 requires that the President of the United States inform Congress of the State of the Union. Through our elected representatives, We the People are: 1. to be informed about how our country is doing 2. to be given any recommendations the President thinks are necessary. The Constitution says it this way: […]
Travel Is a Civics Lesson
Travel is a great way to enhance your civics knowledge. It’s a fascinating way to learn about America through the lens of hikes, road trips, and really any mode of travel. Recently, I taught my Jr. High civics students a lesson about travel using three principles: 1. You leave home (travel) to find things different, […]
What Kind of Government Do You Want?
Do you want a centralized government where the federal government has the power and most of the control? Or do you prefer a national government with a constitution that divides federal power with regional entities (like states)? Think about it carefully. What Are the Arguments? The argument for a centralized authority sounds something like this: […]
