It's Time for a Much Needed Civics Lesson

[lees1975]

https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2022/01/its-time-for-much-needed-civics-and.html

"One of the biggest mistakes we make is thinking about the freedom we have in this country as belonging exclusively to us, and not to anyone else. That is, it belongs to them as long as they think like we do. But one man's freedom becomes another man's oppression and tyranny if the system tilts in that direction.

"America is a representative democracy, which is, at least as far as I am concerned, the best way to place political power in the hands of the people, as the constitution directs. There are several distinct periods of American history, influenced and marked by specific historical events, when one political faction and philosophy dominated politics for an extended period of time, long enough to be considered an "era" by definition. And while those in the minority clearly do not like how the government operates under the opposition, if they are true patriots, and they understand how a representative democracy works, including the constitutional protection of their rights regardless of the faction that is in power, they are still contributors to national unity.

"To be patriotic requires mutual respect when it comes to the rights and liberties of others. And to get to that point, the prejudices and selfish interests of people must be overcome, as Washington says, "enlightening public opinion."

[Jilly_in_VA]

1. It is time

to restore mandatory Civics classes in high schools (mine was freshman year, but it would probably have been more appropriate in junior or senior year). Further, I believe all senior students should be required to take and pass a Civics test in order to graduate. This could be the final in a senior Civics class.

I also believe that anyone running for public office, at any level, should be required to take and pass the citizenship test required of all immigrants requesting American citizenship. That would certainly weed out the Boeberts and Cawthorns and probably the Mo Brookses and certainly the Tommy Tubervilles from our midst.

[lees1975]

2. I love the citizenship test requirement for members of Congress, or the President and Vice President

for that matter.

[Jilly_in_VA]

3. Not just them

Anyone running for any public office. That would keep the MAGAts off the school boards too.

[lees1975]

4. Yes, like the lawmaker in Virginia

who wanted to legislate that students be required to study the debates between Abraham Lincoln and "Frederick Douglas"?

[Uncle Joe]

5. Kicked and recommended.

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume." George Washington from his Farewell Address

(snip)

"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty." George Washington's Farewell Address

(snip)

It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?

Promote then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened. George Washington's Farewell Address

(snip)

https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2022/01/its-time-for-much-needed-civics-and.html

https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=15&page=transcript

Thanks for the thread lees.