As we prepare for the peaceful transfer of power in our nation on January 20, perhaps you thought the 2024 election was controversial. History shows our nation had other contentious moments but came together for a peaceful transfer of power. Controversy and Unity in the Election of 1800 Look up the election in 1800 between […]
The Fourteenth Amendment In the News
Let’s brush up on the Fourteenth Amendment, which is once again in the news. Indeed, it is the Christmas holiday season. So, we will look at this with the aim to be informed citizens. There is no politics, just education outside the realm of public opinion. The Question Can a state disqualify a presidential candidate […]
Can a Prisoner Run for President?
Can a prisoner run for President? What about Secret Service protection? Those questions are receiving a lot of media attention this week. Let’s take a look at the Constitution and current law for the answer. What the Law Says and Does Not Say Yes, an imprisoned candidate for president can run for office. Article II, […]
Is This The Way to Choose a Presidential Candidate?
Are presidential candidates basically activist influencers? Moreover, would you go to Tic Tac [misspelling intentional] to find your ideal presidential candidate? This idea was posed to me by a thirty-something guy whose job is— wait for it— social media. I think if you are young, this may look like the future, that is, choosing your […]
A Road Map for What’s Next
“These are the times that try men’s souls…”- Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense. As Americans, we can relate to Thomas Paine’s pain, if you will. We wonder, what will happen in the next days and weeks to our country? What will be the outcome? Since this is a civics education page, I will summarize […]
Election 2020 – The Long Road Map
There is a Civics drought in America. (Can you tell ??!) Facts, not “feels,” are needed. Who is with me? Let’s start down the long, narrow road to understanding. First, we are not a direct democracy, so the popular vote and Electoral College tabulations by the media do not make a President. Not one state, […]
America Has A Job Opening
How would you answer the following ad? Wanted: millions of citizens who are willing to stand up for free, fair, and legal elections. Requirements: patience, courage, calmness, concern for the Republic, love for the Constitution over candidate Note: The unscrupulous, angry, win-at-any-cost, or “fed up” need not apply. Ready to fill out your resume”? Here […]
Now What?
Where do we go from here? Things are happening so fast in these post-election hours and days that we aren’t sure what is going on. Seriously. Remember: the first story is never the real story. We follow that rule here at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. Patience is your friend in this election of 2020. […]
Election Day Is Upon Us
Election Day is upon us. It’s not the names of the candidates for me. It’s about our 240+-year-old American heritage. Will we vote for freedom and put socialism far away from us? Will we vote for individual self-reliance? Or will we vote for a nanny state? Will we vote for the Bill of Rights and […]
Presidential Debates Need a Makeover
This article isn’t a ploy to get “my” candidate elected. It isn’t yesterday’s topic, for we elect a President every four years. I think The Commission on Presidential Debates should be dissolved. It was a good idea at one time, but the times have changed. The Commission has not. I haven’t been satisfied with the […]
Presidential Debate Makeover
By now, you have heard and seen it all about the first presidential debate, which many Americans are struggling to call a “debate.” It’s been called a lot of things, mostly negative. Americans instinctively know what debate should look and sound like. For sure, the debate did not follow the rules for civility that we […]
Simple Civics 101 Election Basics
Feeling bombarded with ads, calls, billboards, texts, etc. about the November 3 election? It’s a war! The war is over YOU and your vote. Every modern means to secure your support is used. Generals in any war use tactics to win the skirmishes and battles along the way. Elections are like that. Sound bites, slogans, […]
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 […]
