The Voters Knowledge System

The first part of civics focuses on the role of citizens in their government. In Civics 101, we look at some of the larger issues involved in politics, along with the workings of specific systems of government. At a basic level, civics informs people about their political systems and how they can interact with the government.

In civics 101, we look at the system of government our founders established in America, and the implications of our government in our lives. We also encourage you to get involved in your government by writing letters to elected officials, visiting government offices, or talking with local politicians. Our goal is to, once again, get Americans engaged in the political process.

Understanding civics is a critical part of being an American because it helps you understand your relationship to the government. Citizens have specific rights and responsibilities and being educated about these can be very empowering. People who do not know their rights or who fail to fulfill civic responsibilities may find themselves abused by the very government they elect.  To understand more of how things are supposed to work, read these essays.

Many of these essays have been taken from the book, "Our Ageless Constitution" by W. David Stedman & La Vaughn G. Lewis. This book, which was out of print for over 20 years, is now reprinted and available at its own web site, Our Ageless Constitution. Visitors can read about the work, view endorsements of the original edition, including one from then-President Reagan, as well as distinguished educators, a former State Supreme Court Judge, and others. The beautifully-bound edition can be ordered from their web site and is a great addition to any library.

The Voters Self-Defense System

The second part of Civics 101 focuses on our elected representatives in government. Are our representatives truly speaking for us? Discover what your politicians stand for at the local, state, and federal government levels.

Voting Records -- Compare what your representatives said during the campaign with how they actually voted on the record.

Biographical & Contact Information -- From their previous professions, education, families, organizational membership to their latest e-mail address, we gather it all.

Issue Positions (Political Courage Test) -- We test thousands of candidates for President, Congress, Governor and State Legislature with our Political Courage Test. The test accurately measures a candidate's willingness to provide voters with their positions on the issues they will most likely face if elected to represent you.

Interest Group Ratings -- Over 150 competing special interest groups, from conservative to liberal, evaluate your representatives. Look at what they say.

Public Statements -- The Project constantly collects speeches and public comments of the president, governors, and congressional representatives. Just type in a word, say; 'immigration' and all public utterances containing the word 'immigration' will appear. Compare what they said while campaigning in California a few years ago to what they are saying now in New Hampshire.

Campaign Finances -- How much money did your representatives raise and from whom? Just follow the money and then follow the votes.

Grade Members of Congress -- TV, radio, Internet, and newspapers are filled with politicians talking at you. It’s time that they started listening to you. At GradeGov.com, you can send a grade to individual Members of Congress — an A, B, C, D, or F — and write a letter explaining your grade.

Register To Vote! --