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 […]
Thy Liberty In Law
Last time in Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, we discussed our national anthem being under attack again. https://www.facebook.com/commonsensecivics/posts/1273396769718458 One of the suggestions for a new national anthem is “America the Beautiful.” Now, critics read every line of every verse to look for any offensive terms. What do you think about these words from verse 2? […]
Under Fire-Again
Take apart the government, take down the statues and monuments, and get a new national anthem. Sounds like an edition of Extreme Makeover, doesn’t it? It’s not a show. It’s the cultural revolution of our time. Almost a year after I wrote about it, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is under attack again. They say it is […]
CHOP, China, and COVID
Amidst the frenzy of the week, there are a few stories that lend themselves to educational discourse. Let’s take a look. CHOP CHOP- The Capitol Hill Occupied Protest zone is getting papers served. Various businesses, residents, and employees have filed a lawsuit against the city of Seattle, Washington. CHOP (formerly known as CHAZ, formerly known […]
Keeping America
They are taking our country apart, piece by piece. They are using intimidation, humiliation, degradation, and victimization at our expense. They are the Marxist, Leftist, and Communist adults who are using young anarchists and criminals to tear down our history. They want to remake us in their own image. Are you appalled when you watch […]
Why We All Just Can’t Get Along
How would you answer a younger person if they asked you why we all can’t get along today? We can retrace history, but their view is somewhat limited unless a younger person has lived history. They don’t transfer yesterday’s lessons of history to today’s applications. Instead, they accept the politician, journalist, and college prof’s ideology […]
The Judicial Branch
Since May and June are the months that the Supreme Court announces opinions, let’s review what the Constitution says about the Judicial Branch in the U.S. Constitution, Article III. First, the Supreme Court cannot enforce the law, nor does the Constitution give the high court any power to make the law. Its job is to […]
CHAZ/CHOP
Note: CHAZ (Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone) has now changed its name to CHOP (Capitol Hill Organized Protest). Meet CHAZ/CHOP. We have a new country inside of our country. No wars fought, just a takeover in a 6 block area (or maybe 3 blocks) of downtown Seattle, Washington. I’m wondering how that is even legal, let […]
Is This Even Legal?
Another one of those times we call “The Week that Was.” We have a new country inside of our country. No wars fought, just a takeover. I’m wondering how that is even legal, let alone legit. Maybe you’re wondering, too, if this will go on until late fall, like the 1967 Summer of Love. Will […]
The Best or Worst of Times?
Recently, I heard two different conversations where young men surmised that there was never a time more tumultuous than these past three months. Each man was referring to the pandemic and the recent riots and unrest following the murder of George Floyd. Right away, red flags went up in my brain. For younger people, this […]
Fund? or De-Fund the Police?
Who funds your police department? Well, we know our speeding tickets and parking fines generate income 🙂 We know that a portion of our taxes provides for police protection. The federal government chips in, too. And then there’s the state police. How much of your state and federal tax money funds them? I finally found […]
The American Response
Now and then, we need to discuss our duties and reactions as citizens. Current events compel us to take a look at what’s going on and respond as Americans. The situation: Spray-painted messages appeared all over Kinnick Stadium at the University of Iowa. Same graffiti appeared on the University of Iowa Hospitals property, where employees’ […]
