Today I wanted to take a moment to spotlight:
This is Stan Ellsworth, host of American Ride, and he's working with Freedom Factor.org
to teach Americans about our history and help them read the U.S. Constitution.
This is Freedom Factor.org's mission statement:
"We at Freedom Factor have a passion for our American Heritage and want to share it with the world. The United States Constitution is the centerpiece of this heritage. What makes America unique in world history is the emphasis on local government and written Constitutions. Written Constitutions mark 'a momentous advance in civilization and it is especially interesting as being peculiarly American.' To keep our civilization advancing we are asking you to do three simple things: Read the U.S. Constitution, get to KNOW it better, and SHARE it with others. Partner with us in our efforts to put a Pocket Constitution into the hand of every American. Let's together spread the message that protects us, promotes our happiness, and most importantly, brings us together."
Hear it from Mr. Ellsworth himself (This is the first of many videos that teach U.S. History):
This site is so great! I wish I had known about it sooner!
You can read the U.S. Constitution:
https://freedomfactor.org/read-the-us-constitution/
There's a great audio program that teaches kids about the U.S. Constitution:
https://freedomfactor.org/category/kids_podcast/
And if you create an account there are videos that teach U.S. History:
https://freedomfactor.org/video-login/
In American politics right now, it seems like no one agrees on anything, and no one gets along. Many people have a "my way or the highway" attitude; consequently, there aren't many people on opposite sides of the aisle that work together. Is compromise a word anyone understands any more? When our Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution, it wasn't easy. There were differing opinions. There were strong emotions. There weren't even any examples of what they were trying to accomplish. Years ago I read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey. In it, Mr. Covey talks about how there's something even higher and better than compromise. When people really come together, it's not just my way, your way, or compromise; there's a fourth option. You take what person #1 wants and what person #2 wants, and you don't make either one of them compromise, but you have them come hand in hand and find another option. You create something completely different that fits the needs of both equally. (He gave an example of a young married couple that didn't have a lot of money. The husband wanted a new sofa, and the wife said that they couldn't afford one. To make it work, they bought an old sofa at a thrift store and they learned how to reupholster it....they both got what they wanted). That is what is missing in politics today, and I find that disheartening because coming together like that is what brought about the Constitution of the United States of America.
A couple of years ago I was trying to get my teaching license current after letting it expire. I took an American History class, and we talked about the making of the Constitution. I hadn't read it since high school (oops!). So I took the time to read and study the Constitution. I was amazed at how much I thought I knew, but didn't really know. There were a few things I thought were included in the Constitution, but aren't; and there were a few things in the Constitution that I didn't know were there. I love this project by Freedom Factor.org because I think it is so important for us as citizens to get back to the basics. We need to read and study our Constitution. We need to talk to each other. We need to discuss our differences in a way that uplifts each other. I think we all really want the same things, we just have different ways of getting there. If we take the time to talk to each other without vilifying or destroying, I think we'll see that we're not enemies; in fact, we're on the same team. Let's come together, find common ground, and help each other. It all starts with education. The more we learn about how our government works and the more we learn about each other, the more we see each other's individual worth, the better voters and leaders we become, and that results in a better run government. After all, to quote Abraham Lincoln, this is a "government of the people, by the people, for the people," so the people better know their Constitution!
Disclosure: I did receive a free Pocket Constitution from this organization for providing this spotlight. However, this does not sway my opinion. I think it's a great organization, and I'm excited to delve more into their site and resources in the future.
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