US Civics Education

The People Guard Constitutional Rights & Liberties

A Transparent Government

The Media's Responsibility to Ensure a Transparent Government

The 9th Amendment -Protects the Rights of the People

A transparent government system is necessary for citizens to keep government accountable for doing their duties, and to know if government is creating regulations and laws which might infringe on their Constitutional Rights, Liberties and Freedoms.

The 9th Amendment -Protects the Rights of the People

The Media's Responsibility to Ensure a Transparent Government

The 9th Amendment -Protects the Rights of the People

The 9th Amendment states: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

The 10th Amendment -Power to the States & the People

The Media's Responsibility to Ensure a Transparent Government

The 10th Amendment states: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The Media's Responsibility to Ensure a Transparent Government

The media - Investigative journalists are essential to bring forth unbiased information to the public to highlight transparency of government actions and policies, and to expose misdeeds by their representatives.

civil rights U.S. Constitution 101

America's Republic System

America's Self-government System Was a Revolutionary Change from the Oppressive Rule Under a Tyrannical King

No longer Subjects of a King, the United States formed

a Constitutional Republic style government system.

Created by the People for the People.

Recognized names for the American Government System

include:

- Republic

- Constitution-based federal Republic

- Representative Democracy

(source: uscis.gov)

In America, the People have personal freedoms & liberties, which neither the State nor Federal government can encroach upon.

The Constitution limits the powers of government,

and binds the People together in this Republic system

of Self-governance.

The United States has a representative system of self-governance - Through the democratic process

citizens choose fellow citizens from their communities

and states to represent them in their government bodies

- to make laws; set policies to protect their

freedoms, liberties and general welfare.

* * *

U.S. Constitution Article VI: The Senators and Representatives . . . and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States

and of the several States,

shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation,

to support this Constitution . . .

The Democratic Process is How We the People Elect Representatives to Office

In order to control their government and protect their

life, liberty and pursuit of happiness,

each citizen must be

actively involved through

direct participation as a leader/member,

and/or in the voting process for their local, state and federal governments.

- A Citizen's responsibility is to learn:

the pros and cons of each representative's

political ideology; their voting record

if they previously served in civil service,

and then vote into office a person qualified

to serve on their behalf.

Over the centuries, the Federal & State

government's powers have grown.

The fear of the government becoming

oppressive rulers

was well documented by the States (Colonies)

and was a focus of many debates

when deciding to join together

as a Union, under U.S. Constitution.

*
It is up to an active, participating citizenship

to keep Federal & State powers in check

and stop a tyrannical government system

from developing.
* * *

U.S. Economic System

In support of an individual's Rights, Liberties & Pursuit of Happiness, Americans have a Free-Market Economic System.

There are two standard terms to describe

America's Economic System:

Capitalism and Free-Market

This American economic system is

based on the market-system of supply and demand

of goods and services.

The basic structure: Rather than the government controlling what to produce and who to produce it,

private citizens, as entrepreneurs* own businesses as a method of financial support and creating wealth.

Entrepreneurs in

the "free" market system try to determine which products & services people want and need (demand).

Entrepreneurs produce (supply) products or services to meet those needs & wants.

* An Entrepreneur is one who

assumes financial

& other risks

to undertake a private

business venture.

Basic Terms & Structure - United States Civics 101

We the People Rule

The People’s United States government is referred to in several ways:

- Central government

- National government

- Federal government.

The U.S. Constitution

states the powers granted and

the powers prohibited to

each branch of U.S. government.

10th Amendment The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the People.

The Supreme Law of The Land

The Supreme Law of the Land is:

1. The Constitution of

the United States

2. All laws made in

pursuance thereof

3. All Treaties made, or

which shall be made,

under the

authority

of the United States

4. All judges in every

State shall be bound

thereby, notwithstanding

anything in the

constitution or laws

of any State to

the contrary.

The Federal Government has 3 branches: Legislative, Executive and Judicial

Each department, or branch is equal to the other and they act as a “check” on the other branch's powers and have rules to keep their own branch in check and balanced.

“Checks and balances”

Ensures that no one branch of government

or all three, combine power

and become tyrannical

with the immense powers

the People entrust in their care.

FEDERALISM

Refers to the system of dual powers - the State's & the Federal Union's.

Each State has their own Constitution which addresses their state's interests, policies, procedures and laws. There are separate powers belonging to each state and to the federal government, and there are shared powers. These powers are explicit and implicit in the U.S. Constitution.

United States Federal Government 101

The Law-making Power of the United States Government is Limited to the Legislative Branch

A Bicameral System

(the prefix bi is derived from Latin and means two;

Latin cameralis refers to chamber)

Congress has two chambers (bodies):

the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Both chambers are

required to make laws.
Neither chamber

of Congress

acting separately

can enact a law.

According to the US. Constitution: Congress cannot delegate

its power

to make laws

to an executive department or to an administrative

officer, nor can any department or officer repeal,

extend, or modify an act of Congress.

Article I, Sections

1 – 10 include the following:

The Senate

1. How Senate is composed

2. Eligibility Requirements for office

3. Tenure of office

4. By whom chosen

5. When chosen

6. How classed

7. Vacancies

8. Vote

9. Presiding officer

10. Senate Powers

The House of Representatives

1. Proportion

2. Apportionment

3. Eligibility

4. Term of office

5. By whom chosen

6. Electors

7. Vacancies

8. Census

9. House powers

Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution states:

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be

vested in a Congress of the United States,

which shall consist of a

Senate and House of Representatives.

The Executive Branch - Law Enforcement Powers

The President is the sole leader of the Executive Branch.

The President is Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States.

The Constitution states:

"he shall take Care that the Laws

be faithfully executed . . ."

Article II, Sections 1 – 4

include the following:

1. Term of office

2. By whom chosen

3. Voting & Electors

4. Oath of Office

5. Salary

6. Powers & Duties

7. Vacancies

Article II, Sections 1 & 2 of

the U.S. Constitution states:

The executive Power shall be vested

in a President of the

United States of America.

He shall hold his Office during the

Term of four Years, and, together

with the Vice President,

chosen for the same Term,

be elected, as follow:

Each State shall appoint, in such

Manner as the Legislature

thereof may direct,

a Number

of Electors,

equal to the whole Number of

Senators and Representatives

to which the State may be

entitled in the Congress . . .

He shall have Power, by and with the

Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur;

and he shall nominate, and by and with

the Advice and Consent of the Senate,

shall appoint Ambassadors,

other public Ministers and Consuls,

Judges of the supreme Court,

and all other Officers of the United States,

whose Appointments are

not herein otherwise provided for,

and which shall be established by Law . . .

The Judicial Branch - Power to Review Constitutionality & Equity of Laws & Treaties

Article III, Section 1 - 3 of the U.S. Constitution includes:

The Judicial Power of the

United States, shall be vested

in one Supreme Court, and

in such inferior Courts

as the Congress may from

time to time ordain and establish.

The Judges, both of the

supreme and inferior Courts,

shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour,

. . . The Judicial Power shall extend to all Cases,

in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution,

the Laws of the United States, and

Treaties made, or which shall be made,

under their Authority . . .

By the Numbers: Judicial Branch, Legislative Branch, Executive Branch

Federal Government Representatives include:

Legislative Branch:

The U.S. Senate - Each state has two representatives.

100 Senators

The U.S. House of Representatives – Each state has a number of representatives commensurate with their state’s population.

435 House of Representatives

Judicial Branch:
Supreme Court Justices: 9 (9 since 1869)
Courts of Appeal: 13
District Courts: 94
Bankruptcy Courts: 91

Executive Branch:
1 President
1 Vice President
Cabinet - 15 Executive Departments

Please see page links for further information

American Principles & Traditions

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

We, the people of the United States,

1. In order to form a more perfect union;

2. Establish justice;

3. Insure domestic tranquility;

4. Provide for the common defense;

5. Promote the general welfare; and,

6. Secure the blessing of liberty to

ourselves and our posterity,

do ordain and establish

this Constitution for the

United States of America.

The American Flag

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

(Pictured above is original flag with 13 stars representing the 13 colonies)

Today, the 50 white stars on a blue field represent the 50 states.

The colors on the flag represent:

Red: valor and bravery

White: purity and innocence

Blue: vigilance, perseverance

and justice

Stripes: The flag’s 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the original colonies

Learn Flag Etiquette

The Pledge of Allegiance

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

The Pledge of Allegiance

"I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the

United States of America,

and

to the republic

for which it stands,

one nation

under God,

indivisible,

with liberty

and

justice for all."

Basic Rights of Citizens

The Pledge of Allegiance

Right to Life

Right to Liberty

Right to Pursuit of Happiness

Right to Equality under the law

* * *

The people had all their rights and liberties before they created the Constitution.

The Constitution was formed, among other purposes, to make the people's liberties secure - secure not only as against foreign attack but against oppression by their own government.

They set specific limits upon their national government and upon the States, and

reserved to themselves all powers

that they did not grant.

(source: U.S. Constitution Sesquicentennial Commission, established by a

Joint Resolution of the Congress of

the United States,

approved August 23, 1935).

A Citizen's Responsibilities

Loyalty - to the United States and the words and spirit of the Constitution

Obey - the laws of the United States

Vote – Learn about your representatives and determine who will represent your interests best and the interests of America.

Jury Duty – Participate in the court system as a juror to decide facts in legal cases involving peers in your community.

* * *

Allegiance to the Republic

U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 4:

The United States shall guarantee to every

State in this Union

a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion;

and . . . against domestic Violence.

Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence

"WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal,

that they are endowed by their Creator

with certain unalienable* Rights,

that among these are

Life, Liberty, and

the Pursuit of Happiness.

Governments are instituted

among Men,

deriving their

just Powers from

the Consent of the Governed,

that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends,

it is the

Right of the People to

alter or to abolish it, and

to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles . . .

We mutually Pledge to each other,

Our Lives, Our Fortunes and

Our Sacred Honor . . ."

July 4, 1776

* Unalienable - Permanent; cannot be removed

God & The Golden Rules - The Foundation of Life & Law

The Golden Rules of a Civil Society

America was founded on the Judeo-Christian principles expressed in the Ten Commandments. The Biblical Abraham, has been widely accepted by Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions as the Father of all nations. Moses, as told by the Old Testament, brought the tablet of Commandments as stated by God, to all the People of the World to follow.

The Golden Rules of a Civil Society

Throughout the ages, the Commandments IV-X (4-10) have been accepted universally as the "Golden" Rules, which are the basic behaviors expected in a civil society, and are the foundation of many laws in America and throughout the world.

There are many religions and religious-sects practiced in the United States, and the First Amendment of the Constitution provides the People the guaranteed freedom to believe or not believe in a religion or God - without government interference. Also, no government body can establish a religion (or religious sect) which citizens must follow.

The First Amendment begins: "Congress shall make no laws respecting anEstablishment of religion, orProhibiting the free exercise thereof; Or Abridging the Freedom of speech . . ."

In God We Trust

"In God We Trust" refers to trust in the Creator of life and the Universe. This saying does not refer to a particular religion or a government body which might claim to rule by divine right or any other right.

* * *

As referenced in the Declaration of Independence, our Creator of life is responsible for our birth right to equal and unalienable rights; to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - Not a man or a government body.

The U.S. Declaration of Independence begins:

”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness . . ."