Obama's Address to the Nation's Children: What will you do?

Okay, I lied about blogging today. I have something to say, and I'm going to wing it rather than write before-hand.

Pesonally, it doesn't matter what your particular political persuasion is, nor what the political persuasion of the President is. To me, it is utterly wrong for government figures to bypass parents and speak directly to our children. The same goes for religion, too...my kids religious persuasion is my business, not the business of a government-run institution. It was wrong when Reagan did it, it was wrong when Bush Sr. did it, and it is wrong for President Obama to do it.

I got annoyed enough when a teacher's belief systems snuck into my childs' ciriculum. I know that it happens sometimes, after all teachers are human. Whether it was the first grade teacher who would pass out "ranch-flavored organic wheat nuggets" as snacks and prizes (they were nasty, too), or whether it was the second grade Holiday coloring book that had snuck in "Christmas is a prayer". Yes, believe it or not, I am annoyed by both the so-called left and the so-called right.

So what are we doing? We have a good excuse today...my in-laws are in from out-of-town, and its been a while since the kids have seen them (the 2-year-old has never seen them), and today is their last day.

But in the interrum, before we visit today, my kids are getting an education in the United States Constitution. We have a lovely little pamplet that includes both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, thanks to Colonial Williamsburg via one of the grandmothers (who shares many of our civic beliefs). My oldest will probably be bored...I'm sure he's heard some of it before (mom's got a bad habit of ranting). But I think its more important than ever that our children learn their rights and responibilities as sovereigns in this country.

Do you know your rights? Do your children? Are you even aware of what "God given rights" or "Natural rights" means? Is the "Bill of Rights" those rights that are handed down from the government, or rights that the government is barred from touching? If the schools won't teach these things to my children, then it is my utmost duty to do so.

As I said, my oldest probably already knows much of this because mom can't keep her mouth shut. But this is my first foray in formally teaching civics. After today, my children will know. Will yours?