James Madison, the Father of our Constitution, once said, “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
The Informed Citizen, a civics blog of the NJSBF, tackles civics-related topics with the goal of arming all citizens with the knowledge of how the Founding Fathers created the nation and what every citizen’s rights are under the U.S. Constitution.
Posts are added to the blog periodically. All posts contain Discussion Questions and Glossary Words, providing a complete lesson plan. To suggest a civics-related topic for the blog, contact Jodi L. Miller at jmiller@njsbf.org.
For more on civics, check out the Civics Publications toggle on our Publications Page, download a copy of the Special Civics Edition of The Legal Eagle or order one of our civics-related publications, including the Bill of Rights Up Close or Beyond the Bill of Rights using our Publication Order Form.
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Invoking the Ninth Amendment
by Jodi L. Miller The meaning and importance of the Ninth Amendment has literally been debated since its inception when it was included in the Bill of Rights. The amendment states: “The enumeration...
Sharing the Power of a Nation
by Jodi L. Miller The 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the last amendment that makes up what is known as the Bill of Rights. The amendment states: “The powers not delegated to the United...
Governing During a Pandemic: Who Has the Power?
by Jodi L. Miller These are uncertain times, what with having to wear a mask when you’re outside and being stuck at home. At this point, you might even miss attending school in person. One thing to...
Impeachment: It’s Complicated
by Jodi L. Miller The bar to remove the President of the United States from office via impeachment is high. The framers of the U.S. Constitution made it that way intentionally, which is why the...
Primaries & Caucuses—Why Do Iowa & New Hampshire Go First?
by Jodi L. Miller In 2020, Americans will once again (as they do every four years) head to the voting booth to elect a president. Before that happens, though, the nation needs to select candidates...
A Long Road for the 27th Amendment—And the ERA Too
by Jodi L. Miller The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which is the last one to be added to the document, states: “No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and...
DC Residents—Taxation With Some Representation
by Jodi L. Miller The United States was born in rebellion, so it is fitting that the origins of the nation’s capital can be traced back to a rebellion as well. In 1783, while the Continental...
America Embarks On An “Experiment”
by Jodi L. Miller It has been called a failed experiment, as well as a “noble experiment” depending on which side of the issue you favor. The “experiment” was Prohibition, a nationwide ban on the...
Taxing Income With 16th Amendment
by Jodi L. Miller Nothing may be more complicated (or snooze-worthy) than a discussion of taxes, but that is what the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is all about. The Amendment states: “The...
Fourteenth Amendment Slow to Grant Equality
by Jodi L. Miller After the Civil War, the United States was faced with the problem of how to incorporate four million newly freed people into a society that saw them as less than. For its part,...
Thirteenth Amendment Ends Slavery But Makes Way for a Different Kind
by Jodi L. Miller Frederick Douglass, a former slave who became the most well known African American leader of the 1800s, called slavery “the great sin and shame of America.” The United States still...
Taking a State to Court…Not So Fast
by Jodi L. Miller The Bill of Rights hadn’t been in place that long when another amendment to the U.S. Constitution was added. The 11th Amendment, ratified on February 7, 1795, states: “The Judicial...