Doug's Presentation at a Homeschool Conference

Douglas V. Gibbs

Four Keys to Understanding the U.S. Constitution by Douglas V. Gibbs

• Natural Rights

• State Sovereignty

• Separation of Powers

• Republicanism

Introduction: The Lion in the Cage

Natural Rights

1.     Assume the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle them.

a.      Individualism

b.     Sovereignty

c.      Equality

d.     Entitled

2.     State Sovereignty

a.      Began as separate colonies united only by English commonality

b.     Unique and autonomous members of the union

c.      First constitution joined the States into a confederacy

d.     Federalist 45: Internal versus External Powers

e.      10th Amendment: Granted Authorities and Prohibited Authorities

3.     Separation of Powers

a.      Three Branches of Government

b.     Federal, States, and Local

c.      Checks and Balances

d.     The Final Arbiters of the United States Constitution

4.     Republicanism

a.      Dangers of Democracy

b.     Representation

c.      Separate Constituencies

d.     The voices of the States, Counties, Municipalities, and We the People

e.      Protecting the Minority

f.      With Freedom comes Responsibility

g.     Republic Review

Postscript: Education

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