You know what would be a big help to the level of discourse we're having around politics in North Dakota and the rest of the country? If more citizens had a stronger grasp on how their government works. Or, at least, had the honesty to admit when they don't understand the process.

I've been reporting and commentating on politics for going on two and a half decades, and I can tell you that the state of civics education in this country is abysmal. It's hard enough to debate an issue with someone you disagree with. Now try it with someone who doesn't understand how the process unfolds.

That's why we wanted to talk about the civics bee put on by the Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce. Local competitions have already happened, and the state competition is scheduled to take place at the capitol building in Bismarck on July 10 with Plain Talk co-host Chad Oban as the master of ceremonies.

"Having been the former mayor of Horace, North Dakota, I understand the whole civics thing," Kory Peterson, government affairs specialist for the GNDC, said on this episode. "The conversations about all the different aspects of things, having that political discourse of things like that, the kids, unfortunately, are seeing a lot of the negative that comes with the civil discourse. And this is a way to kind of promote a positive experience with civil, civic engagement."

Peterson tested out some of the civics questions on us. Chad got them all right. I went 4 for 5 (that Supreme Court question was a tough one).

Also on this episode, we talked about the odd far-right, far-left coalition the North Dakota Democratic-NPL seems to be trying to build for its candidates this election year. Plus, a conversation about ailing, aging politicians on the national level, and right here in North Dakota, clinging to office long past the point when they should have resigned.

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