Why has there been so little done to teach economics, civics, politics? Perhaps you might want to know. It used to be taught. Part is what they omitted (and on purpose) from (government) public school curricula. Why would that be? Hmm. Interestingly there is a magnificent two-word phrase that puts it together: CONTRIVED IGNORANCE.Yes it is a Contrived Ignorance (repeat the phrase -- say it to yourself, even others, "Contrived Ignorance").
This poses two questions -- Who contrived it and how did they pull it off (and "they" did). No definitive answer to the first question.
Then there's a third question: What can be done about it, or more personally, "What can I do about it?"
The first assignment is to begin to get the information that was denied you.
The second and greater assignment is to inform others, continually and relentlessly as you become more aware, informed and knowledgeable.
A first cut would be to read in total, America's 1776 Declaration of Independence and her 1787 U.S. Constitution with its incredibly important Bill of Rights (1791). Then think about them, and share them. Get more information about them. Review the three Freedom Document Power Thoughts:
1) The Freedom Documents exist;
2) They are powerful documents;
3) People who know them are powerful people. (Does that, at least in part, explain why they are not taught?)
So be a "powerful people," and it is that easy.
But we extend our power to greater power, with just a little more knowledge.
By the Constitution, all elected officials and others in government service, including military personnel, are required to take the oath of office. So what is that?
The Constitution details the oath the President must take (What article is that in?). The Congress long ago extended it to all the others, and this extension, sometimes called a "Sacred Oath" is this:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.Once you know that, you have the power. You know public officials are required to take the oath to enter public office, and by all the honor, respect and duty they have, to know and constantly live by that oath in any and all ways possible.
So when you, in your Constitutional knowledge find things happening that are clearly unconstitutional, can ask them two questions: 1) "Did you take the oath of office to take the office (you know the answer)? and 2) "Is what the Congress -- House of Representatives, Senate, and/or chief executive (President) are proposing or doing, in compliance with their sacred oath and the Constitution? Wow, what power! And you have it. And you are not afraid to use it.
A few last thoughts. The Constitution is not to control people but to control government. It permits some things and prohibits others. If only there were a part of the Constitution that says so, that says if it is not authorized it is prohibited. Why didn't the Founding Fathers think of that?
Well, they did, with the 10th amendment! What does that say? You find a copy, read it and find out. And further, check the 9th Amendment in the Bill of Rights. It says in case they forgot to list or mention some rights, you still have them -- such as what to read, what clothes to wear or food to eat, or whether or not to go to a movie or see it on TV, what education to get or job to work.
What HUGE POWERS we American citizens, people, persons have, if all we need to know is the Three Freedom Document Power Thoughts:
1) There are Freedom Documents;
2) They are powerful documents; and,
3) People who know (and use) them are powerful people.
Be a powerful people.
You can get much more information from Chapter 17, "Discovering the Freedom Documents" from the Fred Holden book, TOTAL Power of ONE in America. Subtitled, Discover What You Need to Know, Why and How to be a More Powerful Person and Citizen, this 26-chapter, 608-page Citizen Power Manual can be owned by sending $25 check or money order to "TOTAL Power," Box 1900, Arvada, CO 80004. Indicate if you want it signed or personalized, and how.
