Introduction
The Constitution Party is one of several minor political parties in the United States that holds a distinct platform and ideology. Founded in 1992, the party promotes strict adherence to the U.S. Constitution and emphasizes limited government, states’ rights, and a pro-life agenda.
As educators, it’s vital to expose students to various political perspectives to enable them to form their own opinions and better understand America’s political landscape. This article provides a guide for teaching students about the Constitution Party.
1. The Party’s Background
Begin by teaching your students about the history of the Constitution Party. Explain that it was founded in 1992 by Howard Phillips as the “U.S. Taxpayers’ Party” and later changed its name in 1999. Discuss how the party aims to restore America’s Founding Fathers’ vision of limited government.
In recent elections, the Constitution Party has seen minimal success on both national and state levels. However, one of its members, Representative Rick Jore of Montana, served in a state legislature from 2007-2008 as their only elected representative.
2. Key Platform Positions
Introduce students to some principal platform positions of the Constitution Party:
– Limited government: The party advocates for a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and reducing governmental power to what is explicitly stated within.
– States’ rights: The Constitution Party believes each state should have sovereignty over internal issues that do not conflict with federal law.
– Pro-life: The party supports life “from conception until natural death,” opposing abortion, euthanasia, and assisted suicide.
– Second Amendment: The party maintains that individuals have an inherent right to self-defense enshrined in the Second Amendment.
– Fiscal responsibility: The party opposes deficit spending and stresses balanced budgets while seeking reduced taxes.
3. Key Figures
Discuss notable individuals associated with the Constitution Party, such as:
– Howard Phillips: The party’s founder and frequent presidential candidate.
– Michael Peroutka: A prominent party member and former candidate for president in 2004.
– Darrell Castle: The party’s nominee for president in 2016.
– Virginia Abernethy: A notable figure within the party and running mate of Michael Peroutka in 2004.
4. Teaching Resources
Present a variety of resources to ensure students learn about the Constitution Party from different perspectives:
– Official Party Website: Share the Constitution Party’s website with your students (www.constitutionparty.com) for information about the party’s platform, objectives, and key figures.
– News Articles: Share relevant news articles discussing the Constitution Party and its participation in elections, giving students a fair and balanced perspective on the party’s influence.
– Classroom Discussions: Encourage debate by providing prompt questions where students can discuss the pros and cons of the Constitutional Party’s platform positions.
Conclusion
Teaching students about the Constitution Party offers them an opportunity to explore alternative political viewpoints beyond the mainstream Republican and Democratic parties. An informed electorate is necessary for a healthy democracy, and exposing students to a diverse array of ideologies empowers them to engage in meaningful discourse about the nation’s governance.
