-By: C. Richard Archie, Opinion Contributor
Civics classes were all the rage once upon a time. We wanted our general population to be appraised and informed as to the function of a republic, if one was called upon to put life and limb in jeopardy to protect and defend it, they should at least understand the why and how.
We seem to have, as a state, backslidden from that intention. We were warned about this early on in our history by very intelligent men who risked all to give birth to this exercise in Liberty.
“Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse the history of his own country.” – Noah Webster, On the Education of Youth in America, 1788
My favorite scholar on all things Constitutional, Thomas Jefferson, eloquently stated this:
“I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.”
I believe there should be a test for candidates who seek to occupy seats of power. (One of the failings of our society today is that Representatives, Senators, County Commissioners, City Councilpersons etc. now believe they are elected to be rulers instead of servants as our Founders intended.) That test should include a requirement of being 95% proficient in knowledge of the Constitutions, both state and U.S. Failing that test should preclude their ability to serve.
Today the first test for candidacy is, can one raise enough money to pay the Republican Party to even give you a shot. It runs on a sliding scale from $25.00 for their perception of low level functionaries such as constables and county commissioners to $5,000.00 to enter the Governor’s race. Senate Leader Jack Johnson and House member Lee Reeves forced through legislation that takes away from the non-governmental Republican state executive committee, a private entity supposedly in charge of the Republican Party, the ability to allow caucuses as an option for nominating Party candidates rather than primary elections. Meanwhile, they were accepting of the imposition of a required “tax” to seek office.
The reason the Few, the Proud, the Controllers of your life, both elected or appointed are able to order every facet of your existence (and charge you taxes to do so at their desire with no input from you) is simply the effect of dumbing down the general population with respect to their rights and responsibilities laid out in the contract that is our State Constitution.
If the average Tennessean on the street is appropriately educated to the existence of and provisions within that document, somebody might be held to account:
Article 1 §1That all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness; for the advancement of those ends they have at all times, an unalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform, or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper.
The General Assembly is solely responsible under Article 11 § 12 for educating the public. If they can keep Tennesseans dumb and ignorant, then they can lead the ill informed public like sheep to the slaughter. Our schools are producing A generation of students where 70% lack proficiency in reading. Is that a failure of our government schools or the planned outcome of our elected “leaders”?
In 2018 then- candidate now Governor Bill Lee wrote to the Tennessee Firearms Association with his promise if elected:
“Provide for the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the State Constitution to be taught in our public schools, including the requirement of passage of a civics exam prior to graduation from high school.”
Sounded great, but it did not happen. Instead, taxpayers gifted a billionaire a private football team millions of dollars for a new stadium, among other boondoggles. But we have seen no money in a single one of his budgets for the promised civics instruction.
Educate yourself. They do not intend for you to be aware of the rules of the road that is our Constitution. They may know what it requires or not, but they certainly do not want a state full of voters who do know! As we enter another cycle to elect a new Governor, it’s our responsibility to demand more than mere platitudes and promises from candidates. We must hold them accountable for ACTION on their promises.
C. Richard Archie
West TN Director, Board Member
Tennessee Firearms Assc.
