What should We the People do with the “DOGE savings?” The Department of Government Efficiency is identifying billions and billions of dollars that would cut federal spending. Where should that money go? I had an interesting discussion with my teen students the other day. Here are three ideas being “floated” lately: Spend the Money One […]
President’s Day Reflections on Freedom
President’s Day is here. One way I celebrate the day is by considering the wise sayings of some of our nation’s leaders: Pour a tea or coffee and join me as we take a moment to embrace our personal responsibility to keep the cause of freedom alive. Washington and Lincoln “The Constitution is the guide […]
Washington’s Christmas Crossing
Christmas overnight, December 25-26, 1776. Rain turned to sleet, then ice, into a biting storm from the northeast. Who would brave a night like that with a poorly clad, hungry, tired army and the need to cross the ice-choked Delaware River? General George Washington would. A Stormy Night and a Desperate Plan The army was […]
1776: Christmas Defined America’s Destiny
This time of year always takes me back to the War for Independence, 1776. Without the bravery of those early Americans, you and I would not be celebrating Christmas as Americans today. I came across this article from William J. Federer in his email piece for December 19, 2024, called “The American Minute.” Federer sets […]
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 […]
Dribble, Baby, Dribble: Founding Principles That Stand the Test of Time
I am humbled and truly impressed that our Founders understood the need to tolerate each other’s differences but united together on a common goal: to build the United States of America on sound principles that work when they are practiced with consistency. Learning the Basics: From 3-Year-Old Basketball to Nation-Building As an illustration, have you […]
Checks and Balances
Checks and balances prevent the abuse of power. We’re experiencing, live and in real-time, the checks and balances system of our government under scrutiny. Our Founders foresaw the need to “build in” a process that would take the country through peaceful transitions when the Constitution has been blatantly violated by “the President, Vice-President and all […]
What Is An American Invasion?
Americans nationwide are talking about an invasion. What is an “invasion” anyway? You may not have the correct answer if your definition comes from a politician, the press, or a professor. When dealing with words in the Constitution, like “invasion,” we cannot automatically ascribe today’s meanings (or feelings) to the same word as it was […]
Three Branches of Government and Why It Matters
How did our Founders arrive at the concept of three branches of government, and why does it matter? The Concept of Three Branches of Government Goes Way Back Have you ever heard of Polybius, the ancient Greek historian? Me neither, until today. He found the three popular forms of governance in his day to have […]
Power and Money
Power and Money. It’s a citizenship issue, so let’s talk about it. I was discussing this topic with an older gentleman. He said, “Power and money are the root of all evil.” I take issue with that statement. The LOVE of power and money is the problem. As I teach civics, I can trace many […]
What Was It Like for the Signers of the Declaration of Independence?
Summer, 1776. Signers of the Declaration of Independence. What kind of guts does it take to start a nation that puts The People truly in charge while separating from a king with “a decent respect” as they listed their grievances, one by one. Where does such courage come from? I’ve seen it at the National […]
Could Americans Be Forced to House Migrants?
Let’s take a lesson from the Third Amendment and our history. The Constitution forbids the government from forcing us to house soldiers without our consent. Here is the text of the Third Amendment: “No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of […]
Consistency Is Key In Being American
I am humbled and truly impressed that our Founders understood the need to tolerate each other’s differences but united on a common goal: to build the United States of America on sound principles that work when practiced with consistency. As an illustration, have you ever heard of a 3 yr old’s basketball team? I went […]
Consider this: Accept America’s Founding
Welcome back to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. I’m not sure how your week went, but mine was full of questions-my own and other people’s as well. In our first article, we look at accepting America’s founding rather than trying to re-make her. This dovetails on the article below about the affect of the media […]
When Passion Governs
What are your hopes and dreams? We generally fail to realize that how we are governed has more to say about whether we will ever realize our hopes and dreams. When I sat down to think about this question years ago, it led me to study our founding documents and eventually receive certification to teach […]
