Civics Before Committee Power
The Wall Builders Show tackles a provocative civic question: Could Congress or state legislatures require lawmakers to pass a civics or citizenship test before receiving committee assignments? The hosts argue that while the Constitution sets minimal qualifications for office (age, citizenship, residency), it grants each legislative body the authority to set its own internal rules. This means leadership can withhold committee power—especially chairmanships—unless members demonstrate basic civic literacy. The episode highlights a shocking contrast: 91% of immigrants pass the U.S. citizenship test on their first try, while only 4% of high school students in 12 states pass the same test as a graduation requirement. This stark disparity underscores a national crisis in civic education. The discussion then pivots to a nostalgic but revealing question about the Adventures in Odyssey episode 'The Case of the Secret Room,' where a citizen investigates a cold case. The hosts affirm that while citizens have the right to investigate and expose truth, they lack the legal tools of law enforcement. Finally, the show debunks myths about Freemasonry’s role in America’s founding, clarifying that 18th-century lodges were closely tied to the Anglican Church and far more Christian than today’s secular, oath-bound organizations. The episode concludes with a call to restore civic literacy and historical truth, especially as the nation approaches Independence Day.
Legislative leadership can withhold committee assignments unless members pass a civic literacy test, even if the Constitution doesn’t require it.
91% of immigrants pass the U.S. citizenship test on the first try, but only 4% of high school students in 12 states pass the same test as a graduation requirement.
Citizens have the right to investigate public wrongdoing, but lack legal tools like subpoenas, search warrants, or power to compel testimony.
Early Freemasonry in America was closely tied to the Anglican Church and functioned as a Christian educational and charitable institution.
Few founding fathers were Masons—only a handful of prominent figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were involved, and Washington later disavowed his membership.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Foundations of Freedom Thursday: Civic Literacy and Committee Power
“You could withhold committee positions, committee assignments, committee chairs, other things, unless you could show yourself to be literate. And that would be a great thing for state legislatures to do.”
The Civic Literacy Crisis: Immigrants vs. American Students
“You're talking people who've only been here three months know more than kids who have been here for 13, 14 years of school and know much, much more, that 91% versus 4%.”
Citizens' Right to Investigate: The Case of Adventures in Odyssey
A listener asks about a fictional episode where a citizen investigates a cold case. The hosts affirm that citizens have the right to investigate and expose truth, but lack legal authority—such as subpoenas or search warrants—making investigative journalism a powerful but limited tool.
Debunking Freemasonry Myths: The Founding Fathers and Masonic Influence
“The Masonic lodges of the 1700s were nothing like the Masonic lodges of the 1800s.”
Hollywood vs. History: The National Treasure Misrepresentation
The hosts mock the film National Treasure for portraying Charles Carroll, a Roman Catholic, as a Mason—despite the Catholic Church excommunicating Masons. They praise the film for getting one fact right (Carroll was the last surviving signer), but criticize it for fabricating the rest.
“So you're talking people who've only been here three months know more than kids who have been here for 13, 14 years of school and know much, much more, that 91 versus 4%.”
“And that is you could withhold committee positions, committee assignments, committee chairs, other things, unless you could show yourself to be literate. And that would be a great thing for state legislatures to do.”
“And again, what you will discover is that the Masonic lodges of the 1700s were nothing like the Masonic lodges of the 1800s.”
Host
Guests
Freemasonry
organization
David Barton
person
Tim Barton
person
Rick Green
person
Wall Builders
organization
Adventures in Odyssey
media
George Washington
person
Benjamin Franklin
person
National Treasure
media
Charles Carroll
person
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