Elect John Cruz

Students are taught American History, as they should be, however without a deeper understanding of what makes America “America”, they are left learning facts and dates.

The freedoms that we enjoy are unique, yet many students don’t know what they are. They know we have the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion, that we can criticize our government, but not much else. Many students will struggle to tell you even a basic rundown of how government works.

How can we expect these kids to understand what it means to be an American if we don’t bring that to light? Some students will graduate and proudly serve in the military, and while we wish them the best I have to wonder if  they know what they are truly fighting for without an understanding of the Constitution.

What made this country what it is today is outlined in the Constitution. We need to alter the social studies curriculum at all levels to incorporate a greater understanding of constitutional principals, the limited powers of government, the separation of powers, and the Bill of Rights. The whole idea behind this is that as citizens, we are part of the checks an balances that are supposed to keep the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government in line.

When you have an uneducated populus who will not challenge these bodies to abide by the law, they will hold it in no regard. As a result, people will continue to vote for, and support candidates that will violate the documents that give us our freedoms. To keep America being “America”, we need to ensure that our students know what America really is.