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WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CITIZEN
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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
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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
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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.
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WHO IS ELECTED? President Congress City Council School Board Mayor Judges
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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
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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.
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DUTIES OF CITIZENS Obeying the laws Defending the nation Serving on a jury or as a witness in court Paying taxes Attending school
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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ELECTION CAMPAIGNS Carry campaign
signs at a rally Putting signs in
your yard Stuffing
envelopes Making phone
calls
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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
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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