The Constitution and Voting.

Avatar for thefalliblefiend
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
The Constitution and Voting.
18
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 3:05pm

Last year, the HS my senior (now college fresh woman) attended invited parents to a back-to-school night. Parents went to each of their students' classes, met the teachers, got syllabi, asked questions, met parents of other kids in those classes, etc. In my daughter's government class, the teacher asked if any of the parents had read the constitution. I was the only one who raised my hand. The teacher asked me when - my answer, "I reread the constitution every single time before I vote." I've only read the entire thing a few time, but I have read the first 7 and the BoR dozens of times - and I'm still very weak on some things. It's a lot to remember. I was (and am) alarmed that so few (none) of the other parents had read it. Admittedly my memory is much worse than average and I need the reminders. Still, I would think people would have read it at least once.

The teacher looked at me as if I were a little loony. I suppose it is loony. But it seems bizarre to me that this should be considered loony behavior. The fact that I recognize it's loony, doesn't prevent me from believing that it shouldn't be.

I suspect that people in this forum, if no others, at least the ones from US would be much more likely to have read it.

So here's a question: Have you read it?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2001
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 3:10pm

I have read it. When I was homeschooling my two oldest kids for 2 years (2000-2001) we did a whole unit on the Constitution. It took a long time to slog through all the language with a 6th and 7th grader, but it was very educational for me (and hopefully for them as well). Until that time I had never read the entire thing.

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VJ-Sig
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2007
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 3:27pm

I have read it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 3:29pm
I've read it several times
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 3:30pm

Yes, I have read it numerous times, particularly when people go on and on about our "Constitutional rights," but what they say doesn't match with what I remember.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 3:49pm
I have not only read it but written it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 4:00pm

When you think about it, that's actually rather sad...


"When you're bad, we punish you by making you learn about your government."

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2004
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 4:05pm
Yes, I've read it many times.
Avatar for thefalliblefiend
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 4:11pm
"...who used to make us write articles of the constitution as punishment."
My 5th grade teacher had me doing the Bart Simpson at the blackboard nearly every day. I deserved it, though. Aside from that, he was the best teacher I've ever had. He changed my life. I'd probably be a gang-banger or a gas station attendant if it weren't for him. Never had to write the constitution, though. That could give you an entirely different appreciation for the founding fathers.
Avatar for thefalliblefiend
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 4:12pm
"Not only have I read it, I have a pocket-sized copy on the shelf above my desk and refer to it on occassion. "
Me too! And I don't work for congress! I've also given pocket copies to my spawn.
Avatar for loudlady
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Wed, 09-17-2008 - 6:24pm
Yes. This is a wonderful topic to discuss on Constitution Day.

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