In 1965, as a 7th grader, I was taught New Math, which focused on theoretical principles. I enjoyed it because even then I had a philosophical perspective.
But when it came to “civics “ I received the same old, same old. I’m sure you did too.
You know what I’m talking about: the Mayberry perspective of life, where decent folks work everything out for the common good. But that’s not reality is it?
So why don’t we start teaching a “New Civics” which teaches the reality of politics right from the start rather than setting folks up for a huge dose of cynicism when the truth, as it always does, emerges from the fairytale?
No theory in the “New Civics”; only cold, hard facts. For Florida’s “New Civics” I propose the story of how Sen. Paula Dockery, against all odds, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in her battle against the CSX deal.
How? By finding a single ally so powerful that all the other forces lined up behind CSX were unable to withstand the blitzkrieg and the force of its assault. What happened is better than most Hollywood dramas.
Because the reality of government is that it’s who knows who, who owes who, and who can bring power to bear on the right pressure point(s) that often determines how an issue is resolved. Regardless of the “facts.”
Read my New Civics lesson here.
(Next week: how I became an Internet addict and then hooked my father.)
