Responsibilities
Return to Common Sense
July 16, 2012
Section:
Introduction – Rights and Responsibilities
“Citizenship is earned and it comes with civic rights and
responsibilities”
“We, in America, do not have government by the majority. We
have government by the majority who participate.” Thomas
Jefferson
Philosophy
(Background, Issues, Objectives):
Rights are entitlements or permissions usually of a
legal or moral nature.
·
Rights do not impose an obligation upon others.
- Anything that
violates either of these restrictions is not a “right” at all.
- Anything called
a “right” that does not meet this definition is really a goal
or objective.
Being a USA citizen is a privilege
with associated responsibilities:
- Common language.
- Common moral
values.
- Common set of
laws.
- Representative
government.
- Respect for
country heritage.
Naturalized citizenship requirements are fairly
simple:
- Lawful entry as
a permanent resident.
- Continuous
residence in the U.S. for at least five years prior to filing petition for
naturalization.
- Physical presence
in the U.S. for at least half of the period of continuous residence.
- Read, write, and
speak good English.
- Knowledge of
U.S. history and understanding of the fundamentals of our government.
- Good moral
character and attachment to the principles of our Constitution.
- Swear an oath of
allegiance to the Constitution and the U.S.
o
Renounce all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign
prince, potentate, and state.
Immigrants continue to voluntarily
flood into this country (legally and illegally).
- Culture of
freedom.
- Personal safety.
- Economic
opportunity.
Principles:
Rights of citizenship are enumerated in
the Constitution.
- Citizenship is
voluntary.
- The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the
Constitution.
- Constitution
guarantees the right to pursue happiness, not to achieve happiness.
Citizenship includes responsibilities:
- Abide by
American culture and language.
- The price of
citizenship is service to the country.
- Jury duty is a
service obligation.
- Voting is a
civic responsibility.
Personal responsibilities are the
flip side of rights:
- It’s your
responsibility to pay your own way.
- It’s your
responsibility to take care of your children.
- It’s your
responsibility to look out for future generations of Americans.
- You have a
responsibility to be an informed voter.
- You have a
responsibility to support and defend the Constitution.
- You have a
responsibility to put America first.
- You have a
responsibility to be a good person (honesty, honor, godliness, industry, respect for the law, morality, and truthfulness).
Recommendations:
Require all citizens adopt the American language
and culture:
- Learn the
English (national) language (understood for centuries, but never stated as
such).
- Learn and
respect American history and culture.
Require all citizens fulfill their American
responsibilities:
- Abide by
American morals and laws.
- Implement
national identification (identity, voting, paying taxes).
- Every citizen
must vote (enable e-voting).
References:
“Make
English the Official Language!” by Dave Gibson dated April 18, 2005 published by
American Daily at http://www.americandaily.com/article/7481
.
“We the
People… of the United States” in a speech by Mitchell Aye,
dated July 6, 2005 published on http://www.oilstick.com/humor/wethepeople.htm .
“What about
My Rights?” by Jan Larson, dated February 27, 2006, published on
American Daily on http://americandaily.com/article/12119 .
“Citizenship:
The Precious Legacy” by Thomas Lifson,
dated March 29, 2006, published on Real Clear Politics on http://www.realclearpolitics.com/printpage/?url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/03/citizenship_the_precious_legac.html .
“A
lesson on learning English as America debates new laws” by John
Hughes, dated July 5, 2006, published in Christian Science Monitor on http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0705/p09s02-cojh.htm .
“Citizenship
Bargain” by George Putnam, dated December 8, 2006, published on News
Max at http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/12/8/84649.shtml .
“The Rise of the ‘Civ-Cons’”
by John Fonte, dated January 29, 2007, published on
National Review Online at http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YjU3Nzg0ZDcyMDFhOGVmNzc4MWQxOTVlMDM0YzM2Njg= .
“Newt’s Philosophy” by Paul Weyrich, dated January 31, 2007, published on Town Hall at http://www.townhall.com/columnists/PaulWeyrich/2007/01/31/newts_philosophy .
“Entitlement
is a Disease” by Herman Cain, dated February 6, 2007, published on
Town Hall at http://www.townhall.com/columnists/HermanCain/2007/02/06/entitlement_is_a_disease .
“Time
to Put English First” by Newt Gingrich, dated February 12, 2007,
published on Human Events Online at http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19394&keywords=time+to+put+english+first .
“Thank
You for Not Voting” by Burt Prelutsky,
dated November 5, 2007, published by Town Hall at http://www.townhall.com/columnists/BurtPrelutsky/2007/11/05/thank_you_for_not_voting .
“7
Responsibilities You Have As an American” by John Hawkins dated June
7, 2011 published by Town Hall at http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2011/06/07/7_responsibilities_you_have_as_an_american
.
“Pride and Privilege” by Tom Doenges dated July 15, 2012 published by Canada Free Press at http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/48076 .
