“The Duties and Responsibilities of Citizenship”
A Citizen’s Legal Duties
How do you describe a community? What is your community? Is it your school? Your neighborhood? Your town? There are many communities that a person belongs to, civic, religious, familial, etc. With the increased use of the internet and other technology, you are also a member of the global community, more connected than ever before to people around the world.
As part of a community, we all have a role to play. There are responsibilities that you and I have to fulfill. Responsibilities are things we SHOULD do; they are obligations that we fulfill voluntarily. American citizens have legal duties that should perform. Duties are things that we MUST do.
National, state, and local governments direct Americans to perform certain duties as set out by law. If we don’t do them, we may suffer legal penalties, such as fines or being put in jail or prison. In the acceptance of these responsibilities and duties, we strengthen our communities and help secure our rights. The United States government asks less of its citizens than some other countries. Service in the military is voluntary where it is mandatory, or required, in various other countries. Still, the United States government does require that citizens fulfill their duties.
Obey Laws
To follow the law is the most important duty American citizens have. Our laws are designed for a reason, to help people get along, prevent accidents, see that resources are used fairly, and more. If we do not obey the law, then governments cannot keep order or protect our health, safety, and property.
Pay Taxes
To pay for the government’s activities, they require citizens to pay taxes. Without these taxes, the federal government could not pay the salaries of its employees, maintain armed forces to defend the country, and help those in need. Your local government could not hire law enforcement or firefighters, and your state could not pave the roads or maintain prisons.
There are various ways that a citizen pays taxes. The federal government and some states, such as Missouri, collect income taxes. Income taxes are a percentage of what people earn. Even some cities collect income tax. Most states and some cities collect taxes on the sale of goods and services. Every year before school starts, your parents may take advantage of a “free sales tax weekend.” This event allows people to purchase common school supplies and clothing without having to pay the state sales tax. Few people realize that the community may still charge their own sales tax on these purchases, although many communities do not. This is just one example of how citizens pay multiple forms of sales tax. If you parent buys a new automobile, they will pay sales tax on the vehicle, both to the state and often to the community where they live. Most local governments collect taxes on the residential and commercial property within school districts.
Defend the Nation
All men aged 18 through 25 in the United States are required to register with the Selective Service, a part of the government, in case the country needs to draft, or call up, men for military service. There is currently no draft in effect in our country and hasn’t been since the Vietnam War. Our nation’s military has been entirely made up of volunteers since that time. Still, the government does have the authority to use the draft if necessary.
Serve in Court
Criminal cases and most civil matters have the guarantee of a trial by jury as written in the Constitution. To make sure this happens, every adult citizen must be prepared to serve on a jury. People can be excused from jury duty if they have a good reason. People involved in court cases depend on their fellow citizens to reach a fair verdict, or result. Another duty of citizens is to serve as witnesses at a trial if called to do so.
Attend School
State governments regulate the public school system and in most states it required that people attend school until they are 16 years old. This is important for you in that you need knowledge and skills to prepare you for adult life. It is also important for our government in that they need informed citizens to operate effectively. In school you not only gain an understanding of history, government, and other important subjects, but you also learn to think through problems, form opinions, and express your views clearly.
Civic Responsibilities
Not all responsibilities are enforced by law. Some are voluntary obligations. If you ignore them, you won’t be arrested or punished. But by fulfilling them you help our democracy flourish and reap personal benefits from doing them.
Be Informed
Government leaders must make decisions daily that affect your life. The state legislature might pass a law changing the rate of sales tax you must pay. Your school board might vote to change your weekly schedule from five days to four to save money. Your city council might set aside funding for the local library. It is your responsibility to know what the government is doing so that you can share your opinion on matters that concern you.
There are a host of avenues available to you to learn about the issues and leaders in our society. Books, newspapers, magazines are abundant addressing these matters. News sources, such as the radio and television have daily reports on these topics. The internet has become a bevy of information from these vehicles of news, although you must take caution on what online sources you chose. There is just as much inaccurate information on the internet as there is factual information. You can talk with your teachers, family, and friends about the issues at hand. Many Americans make their decisions about topics from the advice of trusted individuals.
Being informed includes knowing your rights. People accused of crimes have the right to be represented by a lawyer. If people were unaware of that right, they might not receive fair trials.
Speak Up and Vote
As you have already learned, our country was established with the principle of “popular sovereignty” or the “consent of the governed.” That means that the citizens of our country have the right and authority to decide what happens in the government. People are the source of any and all governmental power, since the government exists to serve you. But, you have to make your concerns known to public officials. You can call, write, or send e-mails to your elected officials. You can become a part of a political party or a group working for a particular cause to make your voice heard. Most importantly, you should vote in the elections. Voting is one of our most important rights and responsibilities. When we elect political leaders or vote on proposed measures, we give our consent to the government.
Many voters study the candidates and issues carefully before making their decisions. They regularly check on what the elected officials are doing to make sure they agree with those actions. If the official is not doing what they are supposed to, it is up to the voters to choose someone else in the next election. Voting responsibly ensures that leadership is changed in a peaceful and orderly manner.
Respect Other’s Rights
To enjoy your rights to the fullest, you must be prepared to respect other people’s rights too. Your pets should not be a nuisance to your neighbors. If you are in a library, you should not interfere with anyone else’s right to work quietly.
Citizens also have a responsibility to show respect for public property and for the property of others. Some could say that littering or other things don’t hurt anyone, but these things end up costing everyone to repair because of it being public property.
Vandalism and littering are more than disrespectful acts; they are crimes. Many of our laws have been enacted to encourage people to respect other’s rights. If you have a party that gets out of hand, you could be arrested for disturbing the peace.
Respect Diversity
Our country has a very diverse population. There are many cultures, religions, and lifestyles represented by many of the citizens of the United States. It is important to respect the civil liberties of others in our country. People that may not believe the same as you or have different lifestyles have the same equal rights to their beliefs and practices. Respecting and accepting others, regardless of their beliefs, practices, or differences, is called tolerance. Treating others politely and respectfully is part of being a good citizen. The diversity of our country has always been one of its strengths.
People who have come to the United States from other countries have contributed greatly to make our nation what it is today. People like Albert Einstein, E.I. DuPont, and Alexander Graham Bell contributed to science and technology. Levi Strauss, Liz Claiborne, and Oscar de La Renta contributed to fashion and design. Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are known for their involvement in politics. Schwarzenegger also is well known for athletics and entertainment as is Gene Simmons and Sammy Sosa. More contemporary immigrants have contributed to the computer age, including Sergey Briin, Pierre Omidyar, and Jerry Yang, of Google, Ebay, and Yahoo fame respectively. Immigrants have brought a variety of religions, traditions, and lifestyles to this country. Citizens have a responsibility to respect these practices and traditions just as we expect them to respect our own differences. All citizens are equal in the United States and entitled to be treated the same.
Contribute to the Common Good
Responsible citizens care about others and are willing to contribute time, effort, and money to help people and improve community life. What if no one donated to help charities or volunteer in after-school programs? What if no one spoke out about community problems? Communities and governments need people to participate. All American citizens must be active participants and not just idle bystanders in our communities.
A Citizen’s Legal Duties
How do you describe a community? What is your community? Is it your school? Your neighborhood? Your town? There are many communities that a person belongs to, civic, religious, familial, etc. With the increased use of the internet and other technology, you are also a member of the global community, more connected than ever before to people around the world.
As part of a community, we all have a role to play. There are responsibilities that you and I have to fulfill. Responsibilities are things we SHOULD do; they are obligations that we fulfill voluntarily. American citizens have legal duties that should perform. Duties are things that we MUST do.
National, state, and local governments direct Americans to perform certain duties as set out by law. If we don’t do them, we may suffer legal penalties, such as fines or being put in jail or prison. In the acceptance of these responsibilities and duties, we strengthen our communities and help secure our rights. The United States government asks less of its citizens than some other countries. Service in the military is voluntary where it is mandatory, or required, in various other countries. Still, the United States government does require that citizens fulfill their duties.
Obey Laws
To follow the law is the most important duty American citizens have. Our laws are designed for a reason, to help people get along, prevent accidents, see that resources are used fairly, and more. If we do not obey the law, then governments cannot keep order or protect our health, safety, and property.
Pay Taxes
To pay for the government’s activities, they require citizens to pay taxes. Without these taxes, the federal government could not pay the salaries of its employees, maintain armed forces to defend the country, and help those in need. Your local government could not hire law enforcement or firefighters, and your state could not pave the roads or maintain prisons.
There are various ways that a citizen pays taxes. The federal government and some states, such as Missouri, collect income taxes. Income taxes are a percentage of what people earn. Even some cities collect income tax. Most states and some cities collect taxes on the sale of goods and services. Every year before school starts, your parents may take advantage of a “free sales tax weekend.” This event allows people to purchase common school supplies and clothing without having to pay the state sales tax. Few people realize that the community may still charge their own sales tax on these purchases, although many communities do not. This is just one example of how citizens pay multiple forms of sales tax. If you parent buys a new automobile, they will pay sales tax on the vehicle, both to the state and often to the community where they live. Most local governments collect taxes on the residential and commercial property within school districts.
Defend the Nation
All men aged 18 through 25 in the United States are required to register with the Selective Service, a part of the government, in case the country needs to draft, or call up, men for military service. There is currently no draft in effect in our country and hasn’t been since the Vietnam War. Our nation’s military has been entirely made up of volunteers since that time. Still, the government does have the authority to use the draft if necessary.
Serve in Court
Criminal cases and most civil matters have the guarantee of a trial by jury as written in the Constitution. To make sure this happens, every adult citizen must be prepared to serve on a jury. People can be excused from jury duty if they have a good reason. People involved in court cases depend on their fellow citizens to reach a fair verdict, or result. Another duty of citizens is to serve as witnesses at a trial if called to do so.
Attend School
State governments regulate the public school system and in most states it required that people attend school until they are 16 years old. This is important for you in that you need knowledge and skills to prepare you for adult life. It is also important for our government in that they need informed citizens to operate effectively. In school you not only gain an understanding of history, government, and other important subjects, but you also learn to think through problems, form opinions, and express your views clearly.
Civic Responsibilities
Not all responsibilities are enforced by law. Some are voluntary obligations. If you ignore them, you won’t be arrested or punished. But by fulfilling them you help our democracy flourish and reap personal benefits from doing them.
Be Informed
Government leaders must make decisions daily that affect your life. The state legislature might pass a law changing the rate of sales tax you must pay. Your school board might vote to change your weekly schedule from five days to four to save money. Your city council might set aside funding for the local library. It is your responsibility to know what the government is doing so that you can share your opinion on matters that concern you.
There are a host of avenues available to you to learn about the issues and leaders in our society. Books, newspapers, magazines are abundant addressing these matters. News sources, such as the radio and television have daily reports on these topics. The internet has become a bevy of information from these vehicles of news, although you must take caution on what online sources you chose. There is just as much inaccurate information on the internet as there is factual information. You can talk with your teachers, family, and friends about the issues at hand. Many Americans make their decisions about topics from the advice of trusted individuals.
Being informed includes knowing your rights. People accused of crimes have the right to be represented by a lawyer. If people were unaware of that right, they might not receive fair trials.
Speak Up and Vote
As you have already learned, our country was established with the principle of “popular sovereignty” or the “consent of the governed.” That means that the citizens of our country have the right and authority to decide what happens in the government. People are the source of any and all governmental power, since the government exists to serve you. But, you have to make your concerns known to public officials. You can call, write, or send e-mails to your elected officials. You can become a part of a political party or a group working for a particular cause to make your voice heard. Most importantly, you should vote in the elections. Voting is one of our most important rights and responsibilities. When we elect political leaders or vote on proposed measures, we give our consent to the government.
Many voters study the candidates and issues carefully before making their decisions. They regularly check on what the elected officials are doing to make sure they agree with those actions. If the official is not doing what they are supposed to, it is up to the voters to choose someone else in the next election. Voting responsibly ensures that leadership is changed in a peaceful and orderly manner.
Respect Other’s Rights
To enjoy your rights to the fullest, you must be prepared to respect other people’s rights too. Your pets should not be a nuisance to your neighbors. If you are in a library, you should not interfere with anyone else’s right to work quietly.
Citizens also have a responsibility to show respect for public property and for the property of others. Some could say that littering or other things don’t hurt anyone, but these things end up costing everyone to repair because of it being public property.
Vandalism and littering are more than disrespectful acts; they are crimes. Many of our laws have been enacted to encourage people to respect other’s rights. If you have a party that gets out of hand, you could be arrested for disturbing the peace.
Respect Diversity
Our country has a very diverse population. There are many cultures, religions, and lifestyles represented by many of the citizens of the United States. It is important to respect the civil liberties of others in our country. People that may not believe the same as you or have different lifestyles have the same equal rights to their beliefs and practices. Respecting and accepting others, regardless of their beliefs, practices, or differences, is called tolerance. Treating others politely and respectfully is part of being a good citizen. The diversity of our country has always been one of its strengths.
People who have come to the United States from other countries have contributed greatly to make our nation what it is today. People like Albert Einstein, E.I. DuPont, and Alexander Graham Bell contributed to science and technology. Levi Strauss, Liz Claiborne, and Oscar de La Renta contributed to fashion and design. Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are known for their involvement in politics. Schwarzenegger also is well known for athletics and entertainment as is Gene Simmons and Sammy Sosa. More contemporary immigrants have contributed to the computer age, including Sergey Briin, Pierre Omidyar, and Jerry Yang, of Google, Ebay, and Yahoo fame respectively. Immigrants have brought a variety of religions, traditions, and lifestyles to this country. Citizens have a responsibility to respect these practices and traditions just as we expect them to respect our own differences. All citizens are equal in the United States and entitled to be treated the same.
Contribute to the Common Good
Responsible citizens care about others and are willing to contribute time, effort, and money to help people and improve community life. What if no one donated to help charities or volunteer in after-school programs? What if no one spoke out about community problems? Communities and governments need people to participate. All American citizens must be active participants and not just idle bystanders in our communities.