Week 3: Civic Virtue

 

   Last week we talked about the principles that guide the different forms of government, and how the Founding Fathers set up a system of virtue for our American government with checks and balances: 

• the House of Representatives checks the law on behalf the people
• the Senate checks the law on behalf of the states (changed to the people with the passing of the 17th Amendment)
• both houses of Congress have sole legislative powers, not a single executive
• the president checks the law on behalf of the whole nation
• the federal courts check the law for compliance with the Constitution

Ultimately, however, they knew that the only way to create and maintain a virtuous government was if the people themselves were virtuous. They also recognized that the people must be taught the principles of virtue in churches, in homes and in schools. If the American people were themselves virtuous (and educated), the Founders knew that they would choose virtuous leaders to protect and preserve the Constitution, and in turn, the Constitution had to require a system of checks and balances to keep the leaders from usurping power from the people. Faith in God and living the commandments is the one thing that makes our country a choice land above all others. If we lose our faith as a nation, we lose our liberty.

    Alexis de Tocqueville, a French jurist and writer toured America in 1831 to find out what our secret to success was. He wrote, 

“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

ASSIGNMENTS:

CONSTITUTION JOURNAL: Article 1, Sections 5-7

WRITING: Which is better: a highly educated political leader with little faith or a very faithful political leader with little or no education. Use real-world examples to support your opinion.

READING: Finish Freedom Factor, work on Fifty-Five Fathers due March 10th.

DEVOTIONAL: Liam

AWARD REQUIREMENTS: Work on trying to pass off one thing this week…maybe the preamble to the Constitution?

Candy Trivia: 

Give the names of five agencies or departments appointed by the federal government.

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Make-up work for Sarah - Read the article and watch the video below:

Without Civic Virtue the Constitution Cannot Endure | CNSNews