How Do We Teach Politics?

Though "US Government and Civics" is taught in high school most people get interested in politics when it affects them personally; sometimes, only when disaster strikes. For instance:

• Cancer survivor who once opposed federal health law challenges Ryan on its repeal
• 'Students aren't quitting': Thousands plan walkouts to protest gun violence, mark 19 years since Columbine
• Hurricane Harvey: Climate change, staggering costs, and people at the heart of it all

Things are a bit more complicated when two or more political topics interconnect, for instance: 

(1) protecting the environment, (2) health care, and (3) the economy.

Probably, if the government loosens many EPA restrictions, more Americans will get sick. Especially at risk are: people suffering from asthma, allergies, bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, and also – elderly people and young children.

If at the same time the government does not come up with a working health care plan, Americans will pay for the government's failures. It will also leave Americans with less money in their pockets which will affect the economy.

Naturally, environmental problems threaten the US economy in other ways too. For instance, "red tides" have been reported in the Gulf of Mexico in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Right now (2018), Southwest Florida is experiencing a toxic harmful algae bloom red tide.

Certainly, residents can avoid respiratory irritation (coughing, sneezing, and tearing) by not going to the beach. Tourists will do the same. It's hard to get people excited about a vacation at the beach if dead fish and birds, turtles, and manatees wash ashore.

But, Florida's economy depends on tourism.

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Though politics with regards to (1) protecting the environment, (2) health care, and (3) the economy is somewhat complicated, most people can see the various connections.

Things get a bit more complicated when it comes to education. Today, students compete with others around the globe, especially in the IT industry. Failures in education politics (like "No-Child-Left-Behind") can have an impact on students' earning power decades after they graduated.

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Even more complicated are tax reforms.

Who of us understands all that fine print? Hence, we are supposed to trust our representatives.

T R U S T ?

T R U S T ???

Sadly, that trust is at an all-time low.

The results are shocking to say the least: Since the early sixties overall views of the federal government have fallen from 77% to 19%. More than half of all Americans say “ordinary Americans” would do a better job of solving national problems.

Please find Pew Research's complete study here. Though it was done at the end of the year 2015 I see no reason to believe that these numbers have improved.)

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It seems to me the only way to avoid problems is to teach our students how to check out the trustworthiness of politicians before an event strikes that causes them to be interested in politics.

We need to teach them to look beyond bold statements and big shows.
Politics isn't supposed to be a circus, it's about life - our lives.

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Luckily, seventy-three years ago one man showed us the best way:

George Orwell

Trying to learn from the best, I penned a fable about government corruption in a fictitious squirrel world that resembles the United States.

Like most Americans, my squirrel protagonists have hopes and dreams, and enjoy getting together and partying.

Harry is an extremely clever and idealistic, young squirrel who attended the Squirrel Academy to pursue his dream career, Sadly, he finds out that new government regulations hinder him in actually living his dream. Since he has to pay off his student loan he has to work a job he doesn't like very much.

His Great-Grandpa, the oldest community member, has seen it all - the bad times and the good times. He is the first one to get suspicious when he notices strange things happening.

Juanita is an orphaned refugee who is looking for a better life. She also wants to learn new skills and is willing to do more than her share.

Gary Logisquir, Great-Grandpa's best friend and the national nut-checkers champion, is extremely clever but a bit laid back. Seeing Juanita's eagerness to participate in a grassroots movement is a wake-up call for him.

Librarian Maggie Carnegiesquir is a hopeless romantic and a savvy researcher. When put to the test she will stop at nothing to solve a mystery.

Together, the squirrels follow a trail of suspicious events. When they find out what's really going on, they take matters into their own hands. They want to save their republic.

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I hope my readers will do the same. 

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Early reviews:

"...If you enjoyed 'Watership Down' by Richard Adams, and see a lighter bit of current underhandedness thrown in as a plus, you can’t help but to enjoy this book..." L.G. Cullens

"... this time, it is squirrels who stand in for humanity, and this time, the message—while a warning---is one of hope..." Charles Freedom Long

"...I especially liked Great-Grandpa. He was wise and supportive of young Harry's dream to do something great and go on an expedition..." Wanda

"...Imagine reading about Bill Gatesquirrel and Johnny Cashsquirrel, whose theme song is “Everybody Loves a Nut”… (which is an actual Johnny Cash song, by the way.)..." Sherrill S. Cannon

"...Enjoyable poke at the idiosyncrasies of human government transposed onto squirrels in the manner of Orwell's Animal Farm..." Moon Cat

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Gisela Hausmann is multi-award winning author, an email evangelist, and mass media expert.  Her work has been featured in Success magazine and in Entrepreneur, on Bloomberg, and The Innovation Show ― a show for Square Pegs in Round Holes.

Her latest book is the fable, "Are We Nuts?"

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©  2018 by Gisela Hausmann