DON'T FORGET
GRADUATION DAY
This is the perfect gift!

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BEFORE YOU VOTE:
KNOW HOW YOUR GOVERNMENT WORKS

What American youth should know about government.

Your rights, your Constitution, your responsibilities,
the differences between a Republic and a Democracy,
Socialism vs. Capitalism, the Electoral College,
how legislation is passed, the Media's influence, and more.
As such, it is a GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES.

by Tim Bryce
IN PRINTED, PDF & eBOOK FORMATS (Kindle)
For pricing and ordering information, click HERE.
March 2020

TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE BOOK

TIM BRYCE is an author and management consultant living in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.
Over the last 45 years, he has written several books and numerous articles on politics, management, technology, and our ever changing world.
His columns are incisive and educational.
In terms of politics, he has written for several news organizations
and attended a variety of political functions.
His blog, "The Bryce is Right!," can be found at: timbryce.com
 

Published by:
TIM BRYCE
Copyright © 2020 by Tim Bryce
Paperback, PDF & eBook (Kindle) formats
ISBN: 9798623807946
52 pages (paperback)
E-Mail: timb1557@gmail.com

 
To download a flyer describing Tim's book in PDF format, click HERE
 

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Mr. Bryce is available for lectures, speeches, readings, and after-dinner talks.
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    DESCRIPTION

    Book describes what American youth should know about government, such as your rights, your Constitution, your responsibilities, the differences between a Republic and a Democracy, Socialism vs. Capitalism, the Electoral College, how legislation is passed, the Media's influence, and more. As such, it is a GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR YOUTH.

 

    From the INTRODUCTION

    These are contentious times. There are now two distinctly separate interpretations of what the United states was, is, and should be, and they are definitely not compatible. This is not the first time this has occurred and will likely not be the last. The years leading up to the American Civil War was such a period, pitting family and friends against each other. The 1960's was also a difficult period with much social upheaval but failed to split the country as the Civil War did. However, the discontent of today was planted in the seeds of the sixties. Historians know this well, but for those who do not, the anger we face today is similar to that of yesteryear, and the near catastrophe we almost fell into. Education about American history and how this country operates is of paramount importance before deciding on a revolution which would change the very essence of America. Unfortunately, teaching these subjects has waned over the last few decades.

    To illustrate, I spent my grade school years in Connecticut during the first half on the 1960s. By the time I finished fifth grade, I knew more than today's average High School graduate.

    In Social Studies class, we learned about the famous explorers of the world and why they traveled the seas to find new lands. We learned about Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco da Gama, Hernando de Soto, and others. We also learned about the Pilgrims, the Virginians, and the native Indians. The intent was to discuss how these various cultures affected each other, both good and bad. There was no discussion of political correctness, just "this is what happened," what triggered it, and when.

    In all grades, we began the day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, and sang a patriotic song, such as "God Bless America," "America the Beautiful," and of course, the "Star-Spangled Banner." It was considered an honor to hold and present the flag at the front of the classroom during this ceremony. We also observed Columbus Day by reviewing his voyage.

    For American history we naturally had a text book to study, but there was a lot of discussion on how the country was founded, going back to the French and Indian Wars, followed by the Revolution, and the Declaration of Independence.

    We read the Declaration, discussed how and why it was created, and committed quite a bit of it to memory, particularly, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

    Likewise, we memorized the preamble of the Constitution, to wit: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

    In discussing the Constitution, it was impressed upon us the three "separate but equal branches of government"; the executive, legislative, and judicial, and how this formed "checks and balances" on each other. We also reviewed the Bill of Rights and discussed how to amend the Constitution.

    We spent considerable time discussing the Civil War, including why we went to war, the horrors of it, and the principals involved on both sides. Although we were Connecticut Yankees, I do not remember my teachers ever besmirching the names of southerners like General Robert E. Lee, or President Jefferson Davis. Again, there was no discussion of political correctness, just "this is what happened" and when.

    In addition to the generals and politicians of the day, we also learned about Abolitionist John Brown, Nurse Clara Barton, Assassin John Wilkes Booth, the Underground Railroad, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Gettysburg Address. As to the Address, we studied it carefully. Although we were not asked to memorize it, I know others who had to do so as it was considered almost as important as the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

    After the Civil War, we studied Reconstruction, the various Presidents, World War I (which our grandfathers served in), and World War II (which our fathers served in). We spent time discussing Hitler's rise to power in Germany, as well as the Holocaust, which was a real eye-opener.

    In looking back on this curriculum, we had no problem digesting it and found it stimulating.

    It was this teaching that planted the seeds of history within me, which would later be supplemented in High School with more in-depth discussions, but the foundation was carefully laid in my Elementary School years.

    And, Yes, we learned the differences between a Democracy and a Republic.

    By the way, thank you Mr. Hamilton and Mrs. Gilmore, wherever you may be.

    WHY THIS BOOK?

    Understanding American history simplifies the learning of our government. However, it is not my intention to write a dissertation herein on American history as others, much more qualified than myself, have done so already. What is missing is a fundamental understanding of how our government works and the importance of civics, which explains the rights and duties of citizenship.

    When you compare the United States to such countries as India and Australia, our voting record is rather embarrassing. If you are unwilling to at least cast a vote, and become an important part of electing officials and legislation, you have no right to criticize the government. This is YOUR country and YOUR vote is important to represent the interests of the people. Do not shirk your responsibility, a simple task many other nations do not allow their citizens to perform.

    Therefore, the purpose of this book is to provide a guide to clear up misconceptions about our government, e.g.; how it is organized, how it works, and why certain mechanisms are in place, thanks in large part to the U.S. Constitution, one of the most brilliant inventions ever created by mankind. The Constitution not only included a unique approach to government, it was tightly written and well organized. In fact, it was written on just four large pieces of parchment paper. Compare this to the 906 pages used for Obamacare, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," a complicated document with rambling narrative.

    It is hoped this collection of essays will help clear up the naiveté of those who do not understand their rights and freedoms, how legislation is passed, why the Electoral College was invented, the differences between a Democracy and a Republic (we actually live in a Republic), the differences between Socialism and Capitalism, the power of the news media, and more.

    I hope you will find it illuminating.

    Keep the Faith!

    - Tim Bryce
    Palm Harbor, Florida
    March 2020

 

 

    TIM DISCUSSES HIS BOOKS IN THE MEDIA -

    Willie Lawson podcast - (May 6, 2020) Willie gives his take on the book.

    KIT-AM (1280) (March 19, 2020) on "The Morning News" with Super Dave Ettl, Yakima, Washington (length 9:50).

    WTAN-AM (1340) (March 30, 2020) on the "Kelly Kelly Show" Tan Talk Radio in Clearwater, Florida (length 18:40).

    Conservative Commandos (April 7, 2020) interview with Sharon Engle and Rick Trader in Washington, DC (length 21:51).

 

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