responsibilities
Return to Common Sense
June 15, 2010
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.
- 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.
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:
“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 .
