The consitution

[Guest Caveman]

My 7 year old daughter came to me tonight and asked " you have guns because the consitution (spelled incorrectly because she pronounced it that way) says you can, right? I almost cried

[Guest UTVOL87]

Wow! A 7 year old knows more about the constitution than most politicians. But then again maybe I should not be surprised.

[Guest mikedwood]

She has my vote!

And as long as she interprets it correctly I don't care how she pronounces it.

[Guest jackdm3]

You have a 2A Rights litigator on your hands!

[G27]

Congrats, continue to teach her well!

[oldogy]

Someone is doing their job of teaching that young'un.

oldogy

[Guest Xd9]

"From the mouths of babes". Take that girl to the range Dad!

[gregintenn]

Great job. You are raising her right. My 11 year old pizzed off his teacher the other day. She was talking about our government, and called it a democracy. He chimed in and said he thought we were governed by a representative republic. She didn't know what to say. I'm sure she doesn't know the difference.

[Guest Muttling]

Great job. You are raising her right. My 11 year old pizzed off his teacher the other day. She was talking about our government, and called it a democracy. He chimed in and said he thought we were governed by a representative republic. She didn't know what to say. I'm sure she doesn't know the difference.

And yet it is most often called a democracy. I think you're the first poster I have ever seen properly refer to out government as a republic.

Being a teacher, I would have simply explained we oftern refer to it as a democracy since it's for the people and by the people but you are correct in that it is a representative republic. The majority of kids would rush home to say how he corrected his teacher and leave that second part out of the story.

[Guest Caveman]

"From the mouths of babes". Take that girl to the range Dad!

Oh yes my friend. I already have several youth weapons waiting in my safe. I just havent decided when to start taking them.

[Guest grimel]

And yet it is most often called a democracy. I think you're the first poster I have ever seen properly refer to out government as a republic.

Then you need to read more closely.

Being a teacher, I would have simply explained we oftern refer to it as a democracy since it's for the people and by the people

That still makes calling it a democracy wrong. It is a representative republic and shouldn't be referred to and/or confused with mob rule.

[Guest Muttling]

Then you need to read more closely.

That still makes calling it a democracy wrong. It is a representative republic and shouldn't be referred to and/or confused with mob rule.

I agree that it's not a true representation of our government, but my point is that our society as a whole (including every president I have ever hear) has often referred to the U.S. as a democracy. They know the difference between a Republic and Democracy, but they're more interested in clear communications than splitting silly hairs for no real reason.

In this post, gregintenn said "I'm sure she doesn't know the difference." I find that possible but extremely unlikely and he's basing his opinion on a child who had every right to brag, but was more interested in bragging than telling an accurate story.

Also....Please claim that democracy over republic is wrong and then be wrong in how you present a democracy is by calling it mob rule. It simply means that everyone votes on every piece of legislation. It is not a government without laws.

If you guys want a FAR better question of accuracy, ask people who the first person that our government awarded the title of president of the United States of America was. 99+% will get it wrong and have never heard of the guy.

Edited December 19, 2009 by Muttling

[Guest Sgt. Joe]

If you guys want a FAR better question of accuracy, ask people who the first person that our government awarded the title of president of the United States of America was. 99+% will get it wrong and have never heard of the guy.

Would it be John Hanson you are referring to....?

[Guest Muttling]

Would it be John Hanson you are referring to....?

+1 for Sgt Joe. Now be honest, did you Google it or know it? (No disrespect either way as it's something that is rarely taught in our education system.)

[Guest Sgt. Joe]

+1 for Sgt Joe. Now be honest, did you Google it or know it? (No disrespect either way as it's something that is rarely taught in our education system.)

I did know the name for some reason that I can not recall.....then I ran a search and found this.....very interesting read....I sure didnt know all that the man did.....Wow!

John Hanson, First President

[oldogy]

And yet it is most often called a democracy. I think you're the first poster I have ever seen properly refer to out government as a republic.

Being a teacher, I would have simply explained we oftern refer to it as a democracy since it's for the people and by the people but you are correct in that it is a representative republic. The majority of kids would rush home to say how he corrected his teacher and leave that second part out of the story.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag

of the United States of America,

and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible,

With Liberty and Justice for all.

I kinda remember the grade school civics lesson that came with learning the pledge, many years ago, even before "under God" was added.

oldogy

[Guest grimel]

I agree that it's not a true representation of our government, but my point is that our society as a whole (including every president I have ever hear) has often referred to the U.S. as a democracy. They know the difference between a Republic and Democracy, but they're more interested in clear communications than splitting silly hairs for no real reason.

Did you ever consider they might WANT the confusion? If they wanted clear communications they would NEVER use an inaccurate and misleading term (democracy when referring to a rep republic) especially wehn trying to get some crap (like health care "reform") rammed through as "the will of the people".

In this post, gregintenn said "I'm sure she doesn't know the difference." I find that possible but extremely unlikely and he's basing his opinion on a child who had every right to brag, but was more interested in bragging than telling an accurate story.

I don't find it extremely unlikely, more likely than not she is a result of the public (non) education system.

Also....Please claim that democracy over republic is wrong and then be wrong in how you present a democracy is by calling it mob rule. It simply means that everyone votes on every piece of legislation. It is not a government without laws.

Everyone votes on every piece of legislation - we don't even come close to that so, calling this a democracy is hugely wrong. Democracy as you stated everyone votes on everything is mob rule - the majority makes the rules - mob rule isn't without laws the mob makes the rules, possibly even as they go along. Claiming democracy and the "will of the people" needing to be followed (as long as it is compatible with THEIR idea) is contemptible.

If you guys want a FAR better question of accuracy, ask people who the first person that our government awarded the title of president of the United States of America was. 99+% will get it wrong and have never heard of the guy.

Hmmm, that would be either Hancock (president of CC when the Declaration of Independence was signed) or McKeaon (president of CC when Cornwallis surrendered). Take your pick. Usually, Hancock gets the nod with Mckeaon getting a good argument.

[Guest Muttling]

Hmmm, that would be either Hancock (president of CC when the Declaration of Independence was signed) or McKeaon (president of CC when Cornwallis surrendered). Take your pick. Usually, Hancock gets the nod with Mckeaon getting a good argument.

Obviously, you already KNOW it EVERYTHG and aren't interested in hearing anything that would put what you KNOW into question.

The answer to this question was given 5 posts before your last one by Sgt Joe. He even included a link providing the details of the story which you are oblivious to and don't want to hear.

I'm done, blather away and have the last word.

[gregintenn]

Would it be John Hanson you are referring to....?

Thanks. I was unaware of that.

[Chief07]

Good for her!

Give her all the facts before the school system

ruins her.

Future NRA Member.

[Guest HexHead]

Congrats. Your daughter is already smarter than most of Congress, half the Supreme Court and the majority of voters.

[gregintenn]

President Hanson was the 3rd President of the United States in Congress Assembled, not the first. He was preceded by Samuel Huntington (1st) and Thomas McKean (2nd). On my website, johnhanson.net, I have an image of the letter signed by Hanson as President thanking Thomas McKean for serving as President. The picture utilized on the website is John Hanson who was not a Black Moor. For more go to uspresidency.com.

President Hanson was the 3rd President of the United States in Congress Assembled, not the first. He was preceded by Samuel Huntington (1st) and Thomas McKean (2nd). On my website, johnhanson.net, I have an image of the letter signed by Hanson as President thanking Thomas McKean for serving as President. The picture utilized on the website is John Hanson who was not a Black Moor. For more go to uspresidency.com.

Wow! The more you look into this, the more the waters become muddy. There is even some controversy as to the ethnicity of John Hanson. This is very interesting. I thank all of you for bringing this to light.

[Guest Sgt. Joe]

President Hanson was the 3rd President of the United States in Congress Assembled, not the first. He was preceded by Samuel Huntington (1st) and Thomas McKean (2nd). On my website, johnhanson.net, I have an image of the letter signed by Hanson as President thanking Thomas McKean for serving as President. The picture utilized on the website is John Hanson who was not a Black Moor. For more go to uspresidency.com.

President Hanson was the 3rd President of the United States in Congress Assembled, not the first. He was preceded by Samuel Huntington (1st) and Thomas McKean (2nd). On my website, johnhanson.net, I have an image of the letter signed by Hanson as President thanking Thomas McKean for serving as President. The picture utilized on the website is John Hanson who was not a Black Moor. For more go to uspresidency.com.

Wow! The more you look into this, the more the waters become muddy. There is even some controversy as to the ethnicity of John Hanson. This is very interesting. I thank all of you for bringing this to light.

WOW is right....this is all soooo cool. I do think my knowing the name Hanson came from a college teacher years ago who was....ummmm? Very nice looking and I was on Parole (between marriages;)) and we had many discussions about many things and probably didnt agree on squat....my knowing that name had to come from her and see....she was even wrong about that or so it seems.

I wonder just how much trouble we could get into trying to inject this information into our current non-education system?

Maybe we should try before they try to change Washington to Abdul Rajeeve or something like that.

Interesting and I will be reading more on this.....very cool....

[Guest grimel]

Obviously, you already KNOW it EVERYTHG and aren't interested in hearing anything that would put what you KNOW into question.

The answer to this question was given 5 posts before your last one by Sgt Joe. He even included a link providing the details of the story which you are oblivious to and don't want to hear.

I'm done, blather away and have the last word.

No, I actually have an education. Hancock was President of CC when independence was declared. Mckean was Pres of CC when Cornwallis surrendered. One of those two were president way before Hanson (something like the 18th president).

The actual answer (see I knew you were trying to be cute, but, I'm cuter) is George Washington. Hanson was the first president under the Articles of Confederation. There was still no USofA and no single country just a loose confederation of states similar to the European Union. So, to be factual and accurate the first President of the United States of America was George Washington (who was also the first president who had any authority). The first President of what was to become the USofA was the guy who either was PofCC at declaration of independence from England or when England surrendered. If you want to go back and pick the guy who was the first President of the Continental Congress I could even go for that, but, I'd have to look that guy up.

I know the story and the back story. You are showing why public (non)education is a bad thing. Like most of the (non)educators, you are unable to grasp the (non) educators don't really know the answers and fall to a defacto "the whole story isn't being told, the teacher really did know the answer, but things are being distorted/left out" stance.

The OP's kid is smarter than 90% of congress and Greggintn's kid busted the teacher's chops and she didn't know the correct answer or she wouldn't have called the US a democracy.

[Guest grimel]

Wow! The more you look into this, the more the waters become muddy. There is even some controversy as to the ethnicity of John Hanson. This is very interesting. I thank all of you for bringing this to light.

Not really, ignore the (non)educators trying to be cute and start with the actual facts based on the question asked. The answer is George Washington. No other answer works. No other answer has the ability to be correct.

Under the Continental Congress this wasn't the United States of America. So, the Pres of CC wasn't the first Pres of USof A only the first Pres of what was to become the USA.

Then the question becomes would you consider the 1st, the Pres when independence was declared, or pres when England surrendered to be the "first" president. Hanson was a transitional guy somewhere around the 18th president (which was a mostly a do nothing post with no authority beyond heading the congress). Washington was the first POTUS and the first President with executive authority.

I muddied the waters being slicker with the word games (and it seems having a better grasp of the actual history involved than the "teacher").

I was lucky to have TWO very good history (world and American) teachers in high school. That resulted in me having a more than casual interest in US history. Not enough to spend time learning all the dates and getting a piece of paper, but, enough to have a good grasp of what happened when and REALLY get ticked at the various re-writes of history being done today.

Case in point - where in the Americas were most of the African slaves imported/used? clue - it wasn't the USofA.