WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CITIZEN

WHO IS A CITIZEN? A person who by

birth or choice owes allegiance to a nation

You are born in the US or a territory

At least 1 of your parents was a US citizen when you were born

You have been naturalized (gone through citizenship process)

You were under 18 when parents were naturalized

If you come to the US from another to country to live you are considered an alien. Alien: Citizen from one country who lives in

another countryAs an alien you have many of the same

rights as regular citizens Can’t vote or hold government office

THE OFFICE OF CITIZEN Abraham Lincoln “ ours is a government

by the people, and for the people.” Our government can make laws, build

roads and bridges, tax, fight wars, make agreements with other countries, but only if the citizens want to.

As citizens we elect representatives, people who are chosen to speak and act for their fellow citizens.

WHO IS ELECTED? President Congress City Council School Board Mayor Judges

RIGHTS OF CITIZENS Right to vote and hold elected office Right to say what you think in speech

and writing Right to practice your own religion Right to a fair trial Right to be protected by your

government when you are working or traveling in other countries

IDEAS ON RIGHTS Rights in the US are based on American

beliefs of: equal respect, freedom, equality, and justice

Our rights are guaranteed by our Constitution and protected by laws and our courts.

DUTIES OF CITIZENS Obeying the laws Defending the nation Serving on a jury or as a witness in court Paying taxes Attending school

OBEYING THE LAWS We have rules and laws to keep society

running in an orderly way Some laws are there to prevent us from

hurting each other Some laws establish rules for making

agreements and settling disagreements in a fair way

We must obey laws to that protect citizens rightsEqual opprotunity

TOO MANY LAWS It is impossible to know all laws in your

city, state, nation It is up to you to know the laws that

affect your life and your actions. Ignorance of the law is no excuse

DEFENDING THE NATION Helping our country defend itself

against threats to our peace and security is another important duty of citizens

US maintains armed services during peacetime

When you are 18 or older you may volunteer to serve in the military

Young men must register for military service when they turn 18Doesn’t mean they will serve, but in a

national emergency they could be drafted to serve

SERVING ON A JURY OR WITNESS Basic right is right to a fair trial Innocent until proven guilty No person may be found guilty unless

there is beyond reasonable doubt Constitution guarantees the right to trial

by jury Witness in a case

PAYING TAXES Income taxes Sales taxes Property taxes Through taxes

out government raises money to pay for the services that it provides to the nation

ATTENDING SCHOOL Required to attend from 5 or 6 to at

least 16 School attendance laws Schools are to make sure students have

the knowledge and skills to succeed in life and be a good citizen

THE COMMON GOOD Basic responsibility of all citizens is to

contribute to the common goodActing in ways that protect the rights and

freedoms of other Americans and to make our communities, states, and nation a good place to live

Voting (voting wisely)

HOLDING GOVERNMENT OFFICE Elected officials have accepted the

responsibility of learning about the issues and trying to make decisions that are in the peoples best interests

ELECTION CAMPAIGNS Carry campaign

signs at a rally Putting signs in

your yard Stuffing

envelopes Making phone

calls

INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT Influencing

government is another way to fulfill the “office of citizen”

Right letters to government officials/put in newspapers

Speak at city council

Join or create organizations with the goal of influencing government

SERVING THE COMMUNITY Not all responsibilities of people are

connected with the government Each of us are responsible to make our

communities the best places possible