Civics Made Easy

How do we change the U.S. Constitution? We’ve done it 27 times – is that too many or too few? Ben Sheehan explains what constitutional amendments are. What are some of the most famous and consequential ones? Are there any parts of the Constitution that CAN’T be amended? And are there any new amendments that a vast majority of Americans could agree on in these polarized times?

How do we change the U.S. Constitution? We’ve done it 27 times – is that too many or too few? Ben Sheehan explains what constitutional amendments are. What are some of the most famous and consequential ones? Are there any parts of the Constitution that CAN’T be amended? And are there any new amendments that a vast majority of Americans could agree on in these polarized times?

You probably learned about the original Constitutional Convention (the one from 1787) in history class. But did you know America could potentially be having another? Ben Sheehan explains what led to the original Constitution Convention, and whether or not another is on the horizon. How would a new constitutional convention work? Who makes the rules? And what are the potential benefits and risks?

Why do we pay taxes? Where does all of that money actually go? And is the U.S. government collecting and spending our money wisely? Ben Sheehan takes a cold, hard look at America’s finances. What is the history of taxing and spending? Who gets to decide how much money we owe? Why are some spending items in the budget ‘required’ while others are merely optional? And how bad is U.S. debt really? Be

Did you know America has ‘territories’ with thousands, if not millions, of U.S. citizens living on them? But not every territory grants U.S citizenship to those born there. And even so, citizens living in territories don’t have the same rights as citizens living in states. Ben Sheehan explains the history, legality, and tax status of U.S. territories – and whether or not they should become states.

Why do most bills need 60 votes to pass the Senate? Ben Sheehan explains the filibuster’s history, evolution, rules, and potential reforms. Is the filibuster a tool of bipartisan compromise or just a partisan obstruction tactic? Also, if the filibuster isn’t mentioned in the Constitution or set by federal law, how’d we get it in the first place? And what would America’s founders think about it?

In this episode of Civics Made Easy, Ben Sheehan explores America’s civic knowledge gap and why so many adults and students struggle to understand how our government works. Through conversations with civics education experts and a look at post-WWII civic engagement, he highlights why government literacy matters—and shares practical steps anyone can take to become a more informed citizen.

In this episode of Civics Made Easy, Ben Sheehan traces the real history of voting rights in America. Who got the ability to cast a ballot, and when? How has voter eligibility changed over time? Why do rules differ so much from state to state? Along the way he uncovers a surprising truth: Americans don’t actually have a constitutional right to vote for president.

In this episode of "Civics Made Easy," Ben Sheehan unravels the complexities of American elections, from the agricultural origins of Tuesday voting to the modern patchwork of state and county election systems. Ben breaks down who runs our elections, how they work, why Election Day is on a Tuesday in November and speaks with Commissioner Ben Hovland from the Election Assistance Commission.

In this episode of "Civics Made Easy," Ben Sheehan unpacks America's complex relationship with political parties, from George Washington's wariness to today's two-party dominance. Through a conversation with Independent Senator Angus King and an exploration of various state’s voting systems, Ben explains how our current system evolved, why third parties struggle to compete, and what reforms could

In this episode of "Civics Made Easy," Ben Sheehan demystifies the complex world of political fundraising. From the surge in campaign texts to the intricacies of donation limits, PACs, and dark money groups, he explains how modern campaign finance works. With expert insight from the Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub, Ben shows how money flows through American politics while remindi