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Americans have been amazingly dumbed down by the public education system. Need proof? The following questions address relatively basic principles regarding our system of government. See if you can answer them without looking up the answers:
1) Natural law is one of the foundational principles upon which our government rests. Explain what it is and how it is relevant to our system of government.
2) Explain the difference between a republic and a democracy. Which type of government did the Founders intend America to be?
3) What are the three branches of our government and what are their roles? List them in the order of their power.
4) Explain the concept of federalism. Why did the Founders implement a system of federalism in America?
5) Why does Congress have two houses? Who were they both supposed to represent? (Hint: they were not both intended to directly represent the people)
6) What were the Articles of Confederation and why were they scrapped? What replaced them?
7) What was the legal basis cited by the Founders for the break with England?
If you cannot answer these questions in full without looking up the answers, it is a pretty good bet you have been dumbed down by America's educational system. I too am a product of the educational system, but have recently been studying our system of government on my own. It was not until 3 years ago that I had actually read the Constitution myself, and I am 30 years old. Let me ask you the following:
1) Have you studied the Constitution yourself?
2) Have you studied the Declaration of Independence?
3) What about the Federalist Papers?
If you have not, then how can you possibly say that you understand your government and your freedoms? Do you even care that you do not understand your freedoms? How can you protect your freedoms if you do not know what they are? I encourage everybody to read America’s founding documents. Don't depend on somebody else to tell you what they say, find out for yourself. All three texts mentioned above can be found online with a quick Google or Yahoo search. Check them out, and take the first steps toward understanding the republic in which you live.
-MR |
