Recently, a relatively new American citizen, whose agenda includes abolishing prisons and defunding the police, won the nomination for New York City mayor. In California, there is a mayor, via social media, allegedly calling upon criminal gang members to stand up to ICE. Apply the Principles of Self-Government We the People get the government we […]
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 […]
Moral Principles in the U.S. Constitution
The Importance of Morality in Governance Morality, defined as the practice of doing what is right, is essential for a free and self-governing society. I contend that we must legislate morality in our country because a society without common moral principles risks being ruled by tyrants. Our Founding Fathers understood this necessity. Rather than devolving […]
Founders’ Values: A Surprising Legacy
What the Founders believed may surprise you. Contrary to common teachings today, very few deists existed in the 18th century. Therefore, deists were outnumbered. Judeo-Christian Morality: A Shared Foundation The Framers had a common belief in Judeo-Christian moral values (not religious doctrine) that are still widely held today. You know the ones- don’t cheat, steal, […]
Framers’ Wisdom: Crafting America’s Constitution
How did our Constitution come into being? Did our Framers mosey into an English-style Pub, order an adult beverage, and begin kicking some ideas around the table? Who inspired them? Today, social media has key influencers. Although our Framers of the Constitution did not have the internet, they had “influencers” whose ideas stood the test […]
What Would You Say to Greenland?
What would you tell the people of Greenland (population 56,000) if you had the opportunity to discuss their country joining the United States? I’ve been thinking about this for a while. For example, what would I say if I could write a guest editorial? What would you say? It’s a civics and citizenship issue, so […]
DOGE, Dividends, and Debt
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 […]
