A Free Civic Education Series

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness How Self‑Government Works

A conversation on the citizen’s role in a democratic republic—how elections are run, and how government actually functions at the federal, state, and local levels.

Life

The Citizen’s Role

What it means to be a self-governing citizen—rights, responsibilities, and the habits that keep a republic alive.

Liberty

Elections

How ballots become results—registration, campaigns, voting procedures, and certification, demystified.

Pursuit of Happiness

Government at Work

How federal, state, and local governments actually operate—and where you fit into each one.

Presented by

Dan Else, PhD

Dr. Else retired after two decades with the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress, where he advised members of Congress on how their own government works. Now he’s bringing that expertise home to Culpeper.

Mondays · 6:30 PM · August 24–November 2, 2026

Culpeper County Library
271 Southgate Shopping Center, Culpeper, VA

Free and open to the public.
Classroom presentations available by request.

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness

2026 Session Schedule ♦ Culpeper County Library

August

24: The US Constitution: Compromise, Debate, and Ratification

31: The Three Branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

September

7: Federalism in America: Comparing Federal, State, and Local Governments

14: Federal Government vs. Virginia: How Laws are Made

21: Duties and Responsibilities of Citizenship: In a Democratic Republic

28: The Role of Voting: Its Importance in a Democratic Republic

October

5: Virginia’s Constitutions: The Struggle for Enfranchisement

12: Virginia Elections: Conduct, Process, and Vote Security

19: Life - America’s Social Safety Net: Federal Programs that Protect Americans Liberty

26: Libery - False Flag Operations: Deception in Elections

November

2: The Pursuit of Happiness - The Long Arc: Government and American Public Education

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness

This is a series of hour-long seminars developed by Dan Else, PhD, that explain the workings of government and the citizen’s role in this democratic republic. The sessions explore the foundations of our law, the organization of governments, how laws are made, citizenship, and the process and history of voting in Virginia. We then dive into one issue related to each of our self-evident, unalienable rights. Click on the topics below to view the slides for each topic.

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness

Dr. Else retired after two decades with the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress, where he advised members of Congress on how their own government works. Now he’s bringing that expertise home to Culpeper.

Dr. Else can be contacted at AskDan51 at yahoo dot com