The United States of America is a democracy where “We the People” elect fellow citizens to serve the welfare of all. The Founders resented financial burdens imposed by a far-away government in which they had no voice. They wrote a Constitution which insured both local and federal government would listen to the voters before taking action that stressed ordinary people.

In our 250 years as a nation, America has evolved from a local rural economy to an international powerhouse. Those changes have been guided by our elected officials, who both make the laws and administer them. It has not always been a peaceful process. Yet, time and again, leaders have emerged to unify our efforts to make the necessary changes.

We elect leaders for the school board, city, county, state and federal bodies of government. It is not unusual for a single vote to determine the outcome of an election. Voters defy the polls and pundits to preserve our democracy.

This class will discuss the key periods of change to our nation and the people who made them happen. We’ll follow the votes from George Washington to the present day.