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.)
The Sunday Blog at Spencer Court 
That was a great article. But shoot, I confess I was kind of hoping for a quiz. You know, along the lines of how most Americans don’t know the difference between the Bill of Rights and the Gettysburg Address…
Hmmm…I like it! Maybe that will be completely separate blog!
When I got to the part about Jeb Bush I had to stop reading. Somehow just hearing the name Bush starts my stomach turning!
Hey..maybe JEB’s blogging on TDO as a troll…lol!
Nah, JEB! is too busy hiding out after helping to run Lehman Brothers into the ground. Here’s a nice thought though; I do believe that W has ruined the Bush trademark to the point that JEB! no longer has a shot at the White House. Maybe we are finally done with Bushes.
BTW, to keep on topic, that was an interesting article. Thanks for the link!
Thanks for the comment OWG…now that I’ve approved your first comment, future comments will not need to be approved and will appear immediately. A nice wordpress feature….
Does it not just amuse the hell out of you that people (at least on the TD) are crying socialism when Dems want to repeal tax cuts for the wealthy, and you don’t hear a peep out of them about “nationalizing” AIG, Bear Stearns, et. al.?
Fakename…actually, I am very unamused at the hypocrisy of that. I do not support the bailout; I’m pleased that many GOP congress folks do not, at least as presented.
Did you see the article in the NYT about how Sweden dealt with a similar problem? They took a “bleed the investor to death” approach that made them (investors) lose their shirts in exchange for assistance which the government then was later able to recoup. Along the lines of AIG bailout. Now that I support!