A friendly Reminder

What is the proper remedy to past discrimination? Is it present discrimination, as Ibriam Kendi says? Or is reverse discrimination just as evil as the discrimination it claims to remedy? Ibriam Kendi is often quoted as saying “The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination.” Is that true? Above the main entrance to the Supreme Court is a promise chiseled into the marble façade: “equal justice under law”. How can we have equal justice under law if one side is

Whose safety matters more, law enforcement of civilians? Does being legally armed automatically make you a danger to society? Should officer safety override the Constitution of the United States? Imagine you are stopped by law enforcement. Maybe you were doing something wrong, maybe not. At this point, when you are in the custody of law enforcement, whose safety matters more: Yours or that of the officer? In the 2017 Fourth Circuit case United States v. Robinson, while not sp

Why does the Supreme Court go gaga just about every time abortion comes before them.  Coalition Life sued the city of Carbondale, Illinois, claiming a the city violated their rights protected by the First Amendment. This time, the Supreme Court wouldn’t even take the case. Free speech jurisprudence has rested on shaky ground for decades in this country. Looking back at cases like Hill v. Colorado, Austin v. Reagan National Advertising of Austin, and Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s H

Balancing faith and freedom has played a significant role throughout the history of the United States. As we delve into the past, we find a complex relationship between religious beliefs and the quest for liberty. This delicate balance has been central to American constitutional history, impacting how rights and freedoms are understood today. From the early days of the new republic, faith influenced pivotal decisions and shaped the nation's core values. Historical perspective

The Fourth Amendment protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures. This includes the unreasonable use of force by law enforcement. Shouldn’t law enforcement be as responsible for their actions as any other citizen? Most of us are aware of the Fourth Amendment’s Unreasonable Search and Seizure Clause. While definitions of what is “reasonable” have been argued since the Bill of Rights was ratified, it is pretty much agreed that the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against

Most people know that the Fourth Amendment protects our right to not be unreasonable searched or seized. But what makes a search reasonable? In the legal profession, reasonable searches in traffic stops are based on the case Pennsylvania v. Mimms. I doubt it would surprise you that I watch a fair amount of videos that involve interactions with the police. One question that comes up is when is an officers attempt to search or detain someone reasonable? One of the cases attorne

When do you get your constitutionally protected rights? Does the Second Amendment apply to 18-20 year olds? Is it constitutional for Congress to allow 18-20 year olds to own handguns, but not purchase them? There are certain things in life with a minimum age limit like driving, drinking alcohol, and even voting, but is there a minimum age limit for your constitutionally protected rights? That was the question Caleb Reese and others wanted asked, when they filed a lawsuit agai

Learning plateaus can be quite frustrating, especially when you're deeply invested in your education. You start off with a burst of enthusiasm, and everything feels fresh and exciting. But after a while, things seem to slow down, and you might find yourself stuck in a rut. Your progress doesn't appear as smooth as before, and that can be discouraging. This is common in various learning environments, including IOTC Courses, where students often face this stall in progress. Add

Expanding Access to Constitutional Education Across Language Barriers The Institute on the Constitution (IOTC) is thrilled to announce a historic milestone: our flagship online course, “Learn Your Constitutional Rights: An American View of Law, Liberty, and Government,” is now available 100% FREE in Spanish! Thanks to our partnership with The Great Discovery , Spanish-speaking individuals across the country can now study the U.S. Constitution in their native language—bringing

Understanding the intentions of the Founding Fathers has never been more significant. Many see these figures as the architects of the United States, and their visions have shaped the nation's ideals for generations. When you dig deeper into their thoughts and principles, you unearth a wealth of insights that continue to influence modern society. Their intentions were the cornerstone for creating a robust yet fair system, reflecting values like liberty, justice, and democracy.

Stepping into online classes for American government can be an exciting journey, but it often begins with a frustrating hurdle: login issues. Many students find themselves dealing with problems accessing their classes, which can throw a wrench in their learning plans. These obstacles might seem small, but they can quickly build into significant stressors if not addressed. Starting your day, ready to tackle your assignments, only to be stopped by an error message on your scree

Understanding constitutional principles lays the foundation for grasping how the United States government operates. These principles, embedded in the Constitution, shape the laws and political processes that affect every citizen. For students, grasping these ideas is like discovering the rules of a game they're already playing. By learning these rules, they can see how policies influence people's lives and appreciate their own role in democracy. From voting rights to freedom

Taking online constitution classes can be a great way to learn more about important historical documents and engage with others who share this interest. But anyone who has taken part in virtual learning knows that technical issues can pop up and disrupt the flow of a class. Slow connections, blurry video, or trouble logging in can turn a promising learning experience into a frustrating one. Understanding common technical glitches can help ensure a smoother journey through the

America's Christian heritage has played a significant role in shaping the nation's identity and values. From its beginnings, the influence of Christian principles has seeped into the fabric of American society, offering guidance and moral framework that resonate even today. Understanding this heritage allows us to appreciate the foundational elements that have contributed to America’s development and continue to influence its culture. Despite the increasing diversity in belie

Teaching at the Institute on the Constitution offers a unique opportunity to make a difference in your community by educating others about the principles that make our country great. Instructors play a crucial role in spreading knowledge about the Constitution and its ongoing impact on American life. If you've ever considered becoming an instructor, you might be wondering what the process involves and how to get started. From understanding the role and responsibilities to nav

Who decides what’s appropriate for minors? Who decides what belongs in the public library? Should it be librarians or the people’s representatives? Who decides what is appropriate for public libraries? That is at the heart of the case Fayetteville Public Library et. al. v. Crawford County, Arkansas et. al. The representatives of the people of Arkansas passed a law, Arkansas Act 372, which both established a crime of furnishing a harmful item to a minor and established guideli

When police damage your home, who should pay? Police officers of the City of McKinney, TX damaged the home of Vicki Baker while apprehending a fleeing felon. Neither her homeowner’s insurance or the city would pay for the damages, so she sued. When the government, in the form of the police, damages your property, who pays for it? In the case of Vicki Baker v. City of McKinney, TX the police had to damage her property to apprehend a fleeing felon. However, when the city refuse

Do the Constitution and Laws of the United States require birthright citizenship What does “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” mean? Does Trump’s executive order fall within a President’s duty to faithfully execute the laws of the United States? One of the executive orders Donald Trump signed on his first day in office ordered federal departments and agencies to not issue any citizenship documents to anyone born in the United States to a mother who was either illegally

Is so-called “gender affirming care” safe for minors? Do the states have a duty to protect minors from such care, even if the parents and doctors approve? Do transgender prohibitions violate the Equal Protection Clause? The transgender agenda has been moving fast the last few years. That said, several states have moved to slow their progress, especially among our young people. One state, Tennessee, is being sued by the federal government. Oral arguments were heard by the Supr

Have you received a census questionnaire this year? The Census is important, but lately it appears to be more about snooping on the American people. Could these census questionnaires actually be illegal? Have you received one of these? We’re all familiar with the decennial census, the enumeration of the population every ten years, but this isn’t one of those years. While the census is an important part of the union, it’s been corrupted and used illegally for decades, but thes