Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Civics 101

I was in federal court in Scranton yesterday to watch yet another scoundrel caught in the corruption scandal plead guilty.  He lined his pockets with extra money while you paid his fat salary.  He was on the take while the rest of us struggle to pay our taxes, put food on the table, heat our homes, and put gas in our cars.

There was a bit of a silver lining yesterday.  A class from Dunmore High School was there to watch the proceeding and tour the federal building.  Bravo!  I love it when kids get an up close look at the justice system.  You'd be amazed at how many people have absolutely no idea how it works.  I wish I had a teacher with vision, someone who wanted to do a little extra, when I was in school.

I talked with a court officer after the kids left.  He was impressed with their behavior and the questions they asked.  Yes, there are good kids out there.  I'm sure they learned lessons yesterday that will last a lifetime.

If you're an educator, get your kids out of the classroom and into a courthouse.  Prepare them to be good, intelligent, informed citizens.  Most, if not all, counties are willing to help.  The same goes for federal court.

If you're a parent, talk with teachers in your school district.  Ask the teachers what they're doing to give kids a look at the way things really are.

Maybe if more people knew how government and the courts work, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in.

It can be done.  It's not hard, and it's free.