(Sacramento, California)
Eureka! It's not only the state motto of California; it's a great word to describe this year's election process. My son Patrick says "Eureka" means "I have found it!" In 1849, that meant gold. Today, it means kids have found a link to the presidential election, as well as to the worlds of politics and government about which they can talk and learn.
Sunday, this interest took us to the state capital of California in Sacramento with Troop 36 of the Boy Scouts from St. Timothy's Church in Danville, CA. There were twelve Scouts and nine parents and many lessons about democracy. Interest in all this stuff always seems to peak when there is a big election, and this year does not disappoint.



Just some fun trivia:
The Capitol took fourteen years to build, and huge steel columns had to be floated on barges up the Sacramento River. The Assembly Chamber is green, modeled after Britain's House of Commons; and the Senate Chamber is red, modeled after the British House of Lords. The original Capitol had no electricity. The last governor actually to work in the original office was Earl Warren, who left to become Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.


The boys came away having learned that their government belongs to them; it does not belong to the people who get elected.
John McCain visits California today, while Barack Obama is in the key state of New Mexico. I will have more presidential analysis all week at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.
Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars.
1 comment:
Mark,
Great post! I didn't realize we had learned so much. Thanks for all your help yesterday. The more I get involved in Scouts, the more I realize what a valuable program it is for our boys. Thanks for your contribution!
Mary Beth
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