Nov. 4, 2008
Current Events: An Opportunity for Homeschool Learning
In my family, current events are discussed daily. There is a lot going on, and today is election day in the USA. This is truly a historic time, and many years from now, history books will have a chapter about October of 2008.
The economic turmoil, the global nature of both the problem and of the eventual solutions, make these interesting times indeed. My children have learned a lot about macro- and microeconomics, government and political science in the last month. It helps that I am taking courses as I work toward a degree in Business Administration through Columbia Southern University. I am taking these courses online, and it is not easy. To get a grade, I have to read, understand and reiterate what I learned in dozens of essays. This ensures that I know the stuff and know how to apply it. So I have the opportunity to view the events of this month and last month through the eyes of a student. I just finished Introduction to Political Science. What could be better?
Today is the day that we get to see who the good people of the USA elect for president. You see, we do not get to vote for our president. This really rankles some of us here on Guam. "Are we not American enough?" they ask. Guam does not get a single electoral vote. So we watch instead of participate.
This is the time to teach your kids about the electoral college and why it is such a genius part of the Constitution. Teach them to be thankful that you can vote if you live in the States.
The electoral college allows smaller states to have a say in who is the president. If the president was elected by popular vote, a few large cities would decide the issue for the rest of us.
Guam:
1 Member of Congress, and that representative gets no vote
0 Electoral votes, citizens cannot vote for President.
The Democratic Party allowed Guam to take part in deciding who would be the Democratic Nominee. I think the 2008 election was the first time this happened, but I'm not sure.
Guam has the highest per capita involvement in the US Armed Forces and consequently, the highest per capita combat casualties. In addition, Guam's natives suffered under foreign occuaption, the only US citizens to do so. It is arguably the most patriotic of all places in the US.
The taxes we pay do not go to the Federal Government. It all stays here. But there are other factors unique to Guam that make this a sensible arrangement, so we need not feel like the "black sheep" territory of the US. What are some of the reasons the people of Guam should not feel like they are, as one Congressman put it, enjoying "representation without taxation"? (This comment is in Congress' minutes. Ms. Bordallo, our Rep., asked for an electoral vote for Guam. I found it with Google.)
These facts should be used for a family discussion of the whats and whys of Guam's relationship with the US Government. I am not going to provide all the answers; there are many differing opinions. But people who live here should at least try to understand the historical and cultural context of Guam and its place in the United States. |
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Homeschooling on the tropical island of Guam, a US Territory...where America's Day Begins.
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