I’m not going to take much of your time today, but in teaching and speaking to some different groups recently, I’ve come to realize something. Education is an equalizer. I know I harp on education so much, but the more see how people respond to knowledge the more I realize just how much a lack …
The phrase, “ambition must be made to counteract ambition” is the bedrock of the American government. It’s the premise upon which the founders structured the government to protect the country from having to face down a tyrannical government. Government was to be broken apart into so many different departments with so many different heads of …
Judicial Review: A Power ALL Three Branches Share Read More »
“A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn, divided mankind into parties, inflamed them …
The founders of this country created it to be local first, state second and federal third in ranking of importance, power and connection to the people. They had many reasons for this. So, if you want to visualize the American government, think of it like an upside down pyramid. The top layer–the local governments- is …
With social media and the wide open access people now have to expressing their views publicly on any topic or person, I can help but notice the ironic beauty of what the founders wanted when they strove to protect “freedom of speech”, not just with the First Amendment but also the Constitution in general. There …
Does The First Amendment Protect You From Being Offended? Read More »
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. In the United States, those elected to any political office–whether law making, law enforcing or law applying–are all required to swear an oath to protect, support or defend The Constitution of the United States and/or the Constitution of the respective state. This is unique in world …
It’s a simple question really and one that seems to obvious to people while also being elusive. When I mention to anyone that I’m an American government instructor, people of every ideology and background all respond with something like this: “Oh, wow. That’s important! We really need that education now. I know I don’t know …
Should Americans Really Have to Know About the Constitution and Government? Read More »
The Constitution severely confines federal power. Should I say that again? The Constitution severely confines federal power. This means that most all power is held by the states. However, the federal government wants the power that the states have. So, what does the federal government do? In today’s blog post, I’m unpacking a few of …
I started this article a few weeks ago and have let it sit here for a while. I needed time for the idea to marinate, and still do, really. So, here are my random thoughts influenced by my recent experiences in the classroom and influenced by a book I’m currently reading about the infamous Samuel …
“Illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and more especially to give them knowledge of those facts, which history exhibiteth, that, possessed thereby of the experience of other ages and countries, they may be enabled to know ambition under all its shapes, and prompt to exert their natural powers to …