Speaker1: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Pursuit of History.
In this episode, we'll be
discussing a fundamental topic in the study of civics the duties and responsibilities of
American citizens. A citizen is a member of a country who is loyal to the government of
that country. Citizens have rights, and it's the government's responsibility to protect
those rights. As American citizens live out their day to day lives in their communities,
they have duties and responsibilities that benefit their society. A duty is an action people
are required to perform. A responsibility is an action people should perform to help their
communities. In the United States, duties include obeying the law, paying taxes,
defending the nation, serving in court, and attending school. Let's dive into each one of
those duties in more depth. Obeying the law. Laws are created to keep citizens safe
and to keep order in society. By obeying laws, citizens contribute to the peace, safety
and order of their community. For example, laws state that cars must stop at red lights.
Following that law is important because it helps prevent accidents and keeps traffic
patterns running smoothly. Paying taxes. Let's face it tax season doesn't have the best
reputation. You'll often hear people complaining about paying their taxes and lament
how their tax dollars are being used. So what exactly are taxes? A tax is money that
people are required to pay. Generally speaking, the more money a person makes from
their job each year, the more taxes they pay. Taxes are a complicated subject, but their
purpose is important.
Speaker1: [00:01:42] Citizens pay taxes to support government projects that directly
benefit them. They are used to pay for road repairs, government workers, schools, and
more. Defending the nation. Citizens have a duty to protect their country. Defending the
nation is an important duty because it keeps citizens safe. Some citizens volunteer to
serve in the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Additionally, all
male citizens from age 18 to 25 must register with the Selective Service System. This
means that if there is a war that requires more military personnel than are currently
serving, these men can be drafted into the war. If drafted, it is their duty to serve and
defense of the country. Serve in court according to the Bill of rights. American citizens
have rights to protect them in civil and criminal cases. This includes the right to due
process, a fair and speedy trial, the right to counsel, and the right to a jury trial. Citizens
have a duty to serve as jurors in the court system. Jurors have the responsibility of
listening to court cases and making informed decisions. Attending school. Even kids
have duties. Many states require that kids attend school from the ages of 7 to 16. States
provide free education to students through the public school system. Schools prepare
students for their future workplace environments, and teaches them how to collaborate
with others and how to solve problems. Now on to the responsibilities of citizens.
Citizens have four major responsibilities. Be informed and vote. Respect the rights and
property of others.
Speaker1: [00:03:29] Participate in their government and community and respect the
opinions of others. Be informed and vote. Citizens over the age of 18 aren't required to
vote. However, their vote matters and their decisions affect government. Every citizen
has the responsibility to learn about the issues and candidates they're voting on, and
make informed decisions at the ballot box. Respect the property of others. Respecting
the property and rights of others is another important responsibility of citizenship.
Everyone has a right to own property and to expect others to respect that right. This
creates a peaceful society. Participate in your community and government. People can
contribute to their community and government through volunteer work. Helping others
makes a society run smoothly. Citizens have the responsibility to help out when and
where they can. Giving your time to an organization, religious institution, or government
can make a real difference in the lives of people in your community. This brings us to
the last responsibility of American citizens. Respect different opinions. Citizens have the
responsibility to listen to the opinions of others and respect those viewpoints, even if
they don't agree with them. This respect can lead to productive debates, new
compromises, and a community that stands united in a common purpose despite
differences of opinion. Well, there you have it. The duties and responsibilities of
American citizens. The next time you find yourself walking around your community, take
note of all the ways your fellow citizens are doing their part to contribute to the good of
all.
