It has always been unbelievable to me that there could be seniors in high school who do not have a basic understanding of the governmental institutions, about the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, about the roles of Congress and the President. Indeed, the lack of that knowledge is dangerous to the preservation of our Republic, for it leads to the erosion of awareness of our rights and eventually to the erosion of our very rights themselves.
You saw this in the aftermath of September 11th, where there was much clamor for the curtailment of our rights under the 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments just so we could feel safe from the Terrorists.
I received a good education, both in school and at home. My parents and grandparents were always politically involved, to the point where my great-grandfather was a Mayor of Penns Grove, New Jersey and my father ran for County Commissioner of Cecil County three times. Political discussions and fights were the norm at our family dinner table, not the exception. So that is why it is unfathomable to me that there could be families out there that do not discuss current political events.
Since my parents instilled in me a love for our rights and institutions, I do believe it is a parental responsibility to instill a civic awareness in their children. To that end, Nemski found a great site put together by former Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor called OurCourts.org. Talk a look and share it with your children.
