responsibilities

Return to Common Sense

April 5, 2009

Section: Introduction – Rights and Responsibilities

“Citizenship is earned and it comes with civic rights and responsibilities”

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:

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).

Principles:

Rights of citizenship are enumerated in the Constitution.

Citizenship is voluntary.
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:

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:

References:

“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 .

“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 .