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Can you? I know I can't. If I had to take the test today, I would be too embarrassed to even make the attempt. That's crazy since we are in a time when some Americans like to look down their noses on 'foreigners'...
There is so much dissension among Americans these days. And so much ignorance. People are no longer just citizens and voters. So many of us are now like groupies, blindly and ignorantly lining up behind one party, person, or agenda. Actually, we seem to take our entertainment more seriously than we do the state of our nation. That kind of makes sense now that many politicians have become showmen trying to win a popularity contest rather than being sincere and intelligent leaders.
I'm so tired. I'm tired of BLM, MAGA, Trump, Biden, impeachments, investigations, and the "news" media trying to win ratings wars. I've gotten so lost in the sauce that I can barely stand it. There are too many activists and not enough knowledge.
(Remember when Google had a conscience and the motto "Don't be evil"? The motto for us as citizens should be "Don't be ignorant".)
Reading the news is a process of sorting through several sources on one topic, and then trying to weed out the opinions from the facts. It's exhausting, disheartening and depressing.
There was a time when every one of us could be proud of being Americans. We didn't all agree on everything, or like each other unconditionally, or even be proud of everything in this country's history. But we were proud to be Americans. I was (and am) so proud to be the daughter, sister, and niece of U.S. servicemen.
Even with my foggy brain, I can clearly remember the time I was so proud of my country that I was brought to tears. I was in England sometime in the 1980s, newly married, feeling homesick, and watching the USAF Thunderbirds fly overhead. I was like a five-year-old. My then-husband was amused that I was so moved by the whole thing. (I had to remind him how his family behaved every time the Queen waved...)
Fast forward to the 2020s and I am still proud to be an American but I am tired of the dissension, tension, and chaos.
As I was thinking about all this a couple of weeks ago, I also happened to be promoting the idea of lifelong learning. I think it's important to always be in learning mode whether or not one is enrolled in formal education.
What better time than now for all of us to do a little homework? I know that I had already put The Federalist Papers on my to-read list. But now I realize that I will also need to study the U.S. Constitution itself.
Here are some resources for being a better-informed citizen or at least for not being an ignorant "activist". It's more of a back-to-basics reading and study list:
- The Constitution (in plain English) You can browse the Constitution and there are explanations.
- The Constitution transcribed. For a nice and eye-friendly transcription. Also, the Declaration of Independence and other documents.
- Voting and Election Laws. This includes guides on the election process and other essential info.
- About the Supreme Court.
- Things Every American Should Know. From the Aspen Institute. Peruse the entire site.
