We’re hearing rumblings about “threats to democracy.” Exactly, what does that mean? First, let’s define “democracy.” Founder James Madison called it “mob rule.” It’s a majority vote, no debate. That’s why our Founders adopted a Constitutional Republic where debate occurs, not a revolving door of hot-headed legislation. Recently, democracy has been described as “three wolves […]
Making Article 1 Interesting Again
How do you make the U.S. Constitution’s Article I interesting enough for Americans to pay attention to it? Let me tell you. It’s a challenge! This week, I will teach 7th and 8th graders an overview of the Constitution. A few hours later, I teach Article I to homeschooled high schoolers. The next night, I […]
The Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land
Thank you for returning to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. As I teach my adult students, I realize how many have little knowledge of what the Constitution actually says and what it does for We the People of the United States. That’s the subject of today’s articles. Let’s dive right in! A cornerstone is the […]
Think and Do, Not Feel and Repeat
Are you tired of arguing? Have you lost friends and relatives over your opinions? Let me ask you: What’s the difference between a debate question and a policy question? Not knowing the answer separates the closest of friends these days in our country. We must understand the difference to lay the groundwork for a civil […]
Constitution Day, 2022
Thank you for returning to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship, where we’ve been thinking about Constitution Day (September 17). I hope Americans never lose sight of the fact that the Constitution remains the “Supreme Law of the Land.” In all the distractions, we still want to remember that We the People run the U. S. […]
About Your Constitutional Life…
Faithful messengers in history’s pre-computer age were the social media, press, cell phone, email, air, and ground transport of their respective eras. These couriers transmitted the critical information needed to run a government, maintain relationships, build businesses, etc. Today, we depend on modern communications to maintain our constitutional lives. When I heard the phrase “constitutional […]