Mar 18, 2019 | The Informed Citizen
No one likes the guest that stays too long at the party. But in terms of those that govern or adjudicate, how long is too long? The longest serving member of Congress was Congressman John Dingell, who represented Michigan for more than 59 years from 1955 until he...
Jan 8, 2019 | The Informed Citizen
As a rule, written constitutions don’t last that long. Legal experts estimate the lifespan of a constitution is less than 20 years. Indeed, the United States’ first foray into a constitution, the Articles of Confederation, only lasted six years before making way for...
Jan 7, 2019 | The Informed Citizen
To some, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is a sacred ritual that demonstrates American patriotism. The Pledge has been at the heart of several court rulings, however, most notably one brought by Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1935. Given that Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t vote...
Nov 28, 2018 | The Informed Citizen
“Equal Justice Under Law.” Those are the words inscribed on the front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. The words are derived from the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states that no state shall “deny to any person within its...
Oct 19, 2018 | The Informed Citizen
Article II of the U.S. Constitution spells out the powers of a U.S. president. Traditionally, the president has also been limited to some degree by what are called democratic or presidential norms. What is a democratic norm? Essentially, it is an unwritten rule that...
Oct 19, 2018 | The Informed Citizen
Every American is familiar with “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Some may even be able to sing it or at least get through “O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light….” On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed the law that would officially designate “The...
