How many times have I heard these two idioms in my lifetime? When something is so difficult to fathom, how are these helpful statements?

It’s true that individuals must let go of past experiences to move forward. Dealing with emotions that bring us down helps us get a sense of clarity and purpose for our future selves. And yet, so many of us have held onto the grudges from the past. It doesn’t serve us when those in power hold onto these feelings and try to change the perspective of everyone around them. This me-centric personality is not a good fit for the highest office in the land.

But you know that’s not the only thing that I am here to talk about tonight. I was pondering how our future voters are doing in their government/civics and history classes in school? Are they learning what governmental entities should be doing? Are they learning what democracy is all about so when it becomes their time to vote in the next presidential election, we won’t have this fiasco once again?

Reporters in a 2023 article in USA Today, stated that the “2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (often called “The Nation’s Report Card”) showed that only 22% of eighth graders are proficient in civics and 13% in U.S. history.  These scores have been declining – and we will pay the price if we don’t turn around those scores.”

This article further stated that “There is nothing partisan about being a good citizen. Understanding our history and the fundamental principles of our country and government are as fundamental and learnable as our ABCs − if we follow sound principles, and take history and civics seriously as a nation….That means quality history education for all − anchored in well-researched and verifiable truths about our nation’s unique founding and contributions to the world, our high ideals and core civic principles, the promises we’ve struggled to fulfill, and the diverse voices and experiences that have shaped our history.”

How has this gotten past the fundamental knowledge kids need to know about history and government? Why haven’t we provided teachers the support to create “critical thinking skills” to shape early minds so they don’t turn out like the crazed forces who put this person in office? What happened to teaching students how to “…evaluate evidence, consider different perspectives, and to discuss and debate historical events and controversial topics − respectfully and in a balanced manner. They should be taught the awesome responsibilities of citizenship, and the equally awesome powers of civic engagement and community involvement.”
Kid’s Education in Civics and History

Why did the parents of this last generation lose interest and a priority to teach basic understanding of their government, its history, and how it works to their children and themselves? An article on the Big Think website explained that “When political know-how is low among a populace, misinformation spreads easily, and citizens don’t have the confidence to engage with the system.” Author and professor of Political Science, Lindsey Cormack, asked this question among many others and has authored an amazing book called How to Raise a Citizen which came out in 2024. She stated: “I don’t know anything that gets better by people not being willing to talk about it,” Cormack says.

The article further states that “Civics is often taught as a checklist of must-memorize facts that don’t build into valuable skills. The short time frame is partly to blame, but so is a social climate that makes teachers and districts fearful that going beyond the “most anodyne” of trivia risks a social media firestorm.”

“The result? “It turns kids into spectators of history rather than participants,” Cormack says. For more information on this subject see the website:
Explaining How Government Works

We have to allow teachers to teach these subjects without fear of repercussions. We have to teach our children to delve deeper into topics that are controversial and are now being controlled by social media.

“Democracy dies in silence, and…parents need to do this job because no one else will….Follow her [Cormack’s] advice and maybe inspire them for life. Our national conversation starts with you.”—David Daily from How to Raise a Citizen.

We can’t “take it easy” about fascism and its grip on our society and people. We have to be vigilant and learn what government should be about. We have to get our country back to a state of peaceful cohabitation with the rest of the world. Sure, it’s easy for those in power to tell us to “Move on,” but we can’t move on to a government that shouldn’t be ours. We have to return to what is right and lawful and make our peace with the world leaders who are kind and just. We cannot let oligarchs take over. Their actions are despicable and self-centered and people are hurting everywhere, even those who bought into the whole world of that guy in office. They truly drank the Kool Aid (Look it up!). They are suddenly realizing that all of these events to defeat democracy are affecting them as well as the people they hate.

So, no, I’m not ready to give up the fight and move on. I will continue the fight locally and have my say. I can’t take it easy until lawful and peaceful movements take precedence. It is good to see people attending meetings and asking good questions. But Democrats have to stop being frustrated with the people they elected. They are doing the best they can. They don’t have a majority and so many illegal things are happening right now in our government. Now is the time to keep the conversations going. Now is the time to keep asking questions. Everyone has to reach out to the neighbors (Republicans) and explain to them what they have done. We have to all come together and understand what is going on. We must make the world a better place.

Something to think about and hopefully, react to, in these next few years. Keep reading, keep writing, keep asking good questions.

Reach out to all those in need and help them in any way you can in your little hometowns. I love you all tonight and stay safe out there.