Welcome to this week’s edition of the newsletter! Thank you for returning and subscribing. We appreciate your engagement here. Our topics this week included the meaning of peaceable assembly and the questions that arise when lawlessness is tolerated. The idea for that article came from a recent speaking engagement in a civics and government class of juniors and seniors. But first, take a look at what Americans are being asked to accept these days. I typically ask questions to help us come to our own conclusions. Having done the math, it doesn’t add up. See what you think…
Americans are being asked to accept the following:
-Add 4 justices to the Supreme Court
-Add millions of foreign nationals rapidly, and grant citizen freedoms
-Add 2 new states
-Subtract the filibuster from the Senate
Why is the math not adding up? As a kid, I loathed the story problems with “hidden questions.” In fact, I hated story problems. I like straightforward computation. Maybe I’m wrong here, but let’s consider the hidden questions.
Add 4 justices; could we lose checks and balances on our government? (Executive and Judicial branches become more closely aligned as a result of a proposed study by the Executive Branch on the Judicial Branch).
Add millions of foreign nationals too quickly and grant them citizen advantages (i.e., freedom of movement, taxpayer funding, and voting). Could we potentially lose the war against COVID-19, become a 1- party rule country, or bankrupt the treasury?
Add 2 new states. In the case of our nation’s Capitol, consider the constitutionality of such a proposal. Such a move is not in compliance with Article 1, Sec. 8, which gives Congress power to “exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District, (Washington, D.C.).” It has been proposed that Washington, D. C. be sized down to an area the size of a park and be surrounded by a new state called “Washington, Douglass Commonwealth.” What unintended consequences could result if the process to amend the Constitution is not followed?
Subtract the filibuster from the Senate, lose the world’s most deliberative body. How wise is it to no longer have a vehicle in the Senate which drives compromise?
When I do the math, the proposed additions and subtraction do not add up to a Constitutional Republic, which was the vision of our Founders. I even used scratch paper to check my computation. 😁
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸
