Every four years, political party conventions convene to nominate their respective party’s candidate for President and Vice-President. These events very much resemble a giant party combined with business, specifically, the party platform—more on that below. Ok, I admit it. I’m a political party watcher, having done so since I was a tot. There’s a single […]
Is It Too Late?
How is it possible to defend criminal behavior in a first world country like ours? I was engaged in conversation with a friend who spoke of her inner struggle to answer that question. She defended criminal behavior in our major cities by trying to understand the criminals’ minds. Hasn’t our government tried empathy, programs, understanding, […]
Simple Civics 101-The American Party System
Simple Civics 101- The Party System Did you know that George Washington was against having political parties? He represented no party and invited those with differing opinions to serve in his administration. Washington, in his Farewell Address, claimed that political parties were a distraction. He said that partisan politics “…agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies […]
Questions, Questions
From the mailbox… Once again, let’s take a peek inside my Common Sense Civics and Citizenship mailbox to see what Americans are thinking about. As you will see, all of the questions relate to the upcoming presidential election. Maybe you have been asked a similar question or two. Is it better to vote by mail […]
Simple Civics 101-How a Bill Becomes a Law
Simple Civics 101- a weekly review of basic American civics Today we are reviewing the process of how a bill becomes a law. Boring, you say? Maybe. But you and I have to follow the laws that Congress passes. Let’s get some reassurance that there is a process, including review, revision, and debate. That is […]
From the Mailbag
From my mailbag: Let’s take a peek inside my Common Sense Civics and Citizenship mailbag to see what is on a few fellow Americans’ minds. (There’s always a link on this website to “Join the Conversation” if you would like to see the responses and conversations we have on my social media education page). Question: […]
Simple Civics 101-The Executive Branch
Let’s do a basic civics review of the Presidency, which is the federal government’s Executive Branch. Qualifications: Must be at least 35 years old Natural born citizen of the United States Must be a resident of the United States for the past 14 years Term of Service: Four years Two-term limit Note: the Founding Fathers […]
Cultural Values and the American Dream
Do Americans still want the American Dream? Do Americans still believe if we take responsibility for our lives and work hard, we will obtain individual freedom and achieve our personal goals? Do Americans even want to work hard? Or do they want a nanny state to take care of them? These questions are rolling around […]
Term Limits-Good or Bad?
How familiar are you with the idea of term limits for Congress? Do you even care? I hope you do. My purpose here is not to argue about term limits because both sides make a solid case for their position. I doubt if anything I say will change your mind. (People dig their heels in […]
Simple Civics 101
The Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch is the least popular branch among Americans. You may likely be one of those Americans who disapproves of Congress. They make law, but some would argue that they do nothing (which is good, because then there are fewer laws to follow)! Ironically, We the People elect those who serve […]
America’s Identity Crisis
Remember what it was like to go through an identity crisis in your younger life? Fun, eh? Not so much. How did you resolve who the real “you” is? What changes for the better did you make? What good things about yourself did you or someone close to you remind you of as you worked […]
Simple Civics 101
Simple Civics 101- a weekly review of basic American civics Today we are discussing Federal and State powers. It has become evident in the past several weeks that many Americans don’t understand the difference between the federal government’s responsibilities and their state government. (Think “pandemic response” or “Seattle’s former CHOP zone as examples). Studying civics […]
The Necessity of a Basic Civics Education
One of the more common questions I receive at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship is, “Why doesn’t the President do something (about the state of our nation)?” This question shows a tremendous lack of American civics knowledge. Americans who did not have a strong civics foundation have a sense that the President is a parent-like […]
Happy Birthday, America!
I dissolved the political bands of Communism before it connected me. It happened when Nikita Khrushchev banged his shoe on the table and threatened, “Your grandchildren will live under Communism.” He was talking about my posterity. When Nikita Khrushchev said, “We will bury you,” and, “Your grandchildren will live under communism,” I believed he was […]
Is America a Mistake?
Is America one big mistake? As we celebrate Independence Day 2020, many young people are calling on us to wipe our history away. They look at the failings in our Founders’ lives but fail to see their own offenses. Many Americans have never studied the treasure in our founding American documents. Students have been taught […]
