Why do so many Americans struggle to understand how their government actually works? In this episode of History Told Forward, host Donald Dunn sits down with Marine Corps veteran and civic educator Carl Abel, founder of Crayon Box Politics, to discuss the real issue behind America’s political divide: civic confusion.

After two decades in the United States Marine Corps, Carl Abel began questioning why even highly trained professionals—including military members—often lack a clear understanding of government systems and civic responsibility. That realization led him to create Crayon Box Politics and develop The Archivist, a platform designed to make government data easier for everyday Americans to access and understand.

In this conversation, Dunn and Abel explore leadership failures in both politics and the military, why Americans have slowly given away their political power, and how technology—including AI—may help rebuild civic awareness. They also discuss the dangers of partisan extremes, the importance of informed voters, and why the future of democracy depends on education, transparency, and civic engagement.

If you’ve ever wondered why politics feels broken—or what ordinary citizens can do to fix it—this episode dives deep into the structural and cultural challenges facing American democracy today

https://www.crayonboxpolitics.com/