Citizen Nation

Citizenship in the Nation 1. Explain what citizenship in the nation means Citizenship is membership in a political community (originally a city or town but now usually a country) and carries with it rights to political participation; a person having such membership is a citizen. It is largely coterminous with nationality,[citation needed] although it is possible to have a nationality without being a citizen (i.e., be legally subject to a state and entitled to its protection without having rights of political participation in it); it is also possible to have political rights without being a national of a state. In most nations, a non-citizen is a non-national and called either a foreigner or an alien. Citizenship is the political rights of an individual within a society. Thus, you can have a citizenship from one country and be a national of another country. For example, a Cuban-American might be considered a national of Cuba due to his being born there, but he could also become an American citizen through naturalization. Nationality derives from either place of birth (i.e. jus soli), parentage (i.e. jus sanguinis), or ethnicity and religion (as in Israel). Citizenship derives from a legal relationship with a state. Citizenship can be gained through naturalization and lost through denaturalization.

and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country. Citizenship status often implies some responsibilities and duties under social contract theory. "Active citizenship" is the philosophy that citizens should work towards the betterment of their community through economic participation, public service, volunteer work, and other such efforts to improve life for all citizens. In this vein, schools in some countries provide citizenship education.

Discuss the rights, Adult citizens of the United States who are residents of one of the 50      states have the right to participate fully in the political system of the    United States, as well as their state and local governments (with most    states having restrictions on voting by persons imprisoned for felonies,    some states having restrictions on voting by people convicted of  felonies,    and a federal constitutional prohibition on naturalized persons running for    President and Vice President of the United States), are represented and    protected abroad by the United States (through U.S.  embassies and    consulates), and are allowed to reside in the United States and certain    territories without any immigration requirements. duties, Duty (from "due," that which is owing, O. Fr. deu, did, past participle   of  devoir; Lat. debere, debitum; cf. "debt") is a term that conveys a sense of  moral commitment to someone or something. The moral commitment is the sort  that results in action, and it is not a matter of passive feeling or mere  recognition. When someone recognizes a duty, that person commits  himself/herself to the cause involved without considering the self‐interested  courses of actions that may have been relevant previously. This is not to  suggest that living a life of duty precludes one from the best sort of life,  but duty does involve some sacrifice of immediate self‐interest.  Jury Duty and obligations of a responsible and active American citizen.

  Citizens have the duty to serve in a jury, if selected. Citizens are also  required to pay taxes on their total income from all sources worldwide,  Including income earned abroad while residing abroad for at least 12 months – 

but only beyond the first $85,700 in this case because of the foreign earned  Income exclusion.[1] U.S. taxes payable may be alternatively reduced by  credits for foreign income taxes regardless of the length of stay abroad. The  United States Government also insists that U.S. citizens travel into and out  of the United States on a U.S. passport, regardless of any other nationality  they may possess. Male U.S. citizens (including those living permanently abroad and/or with dual U.S./other citizenship) are required to register with the Selective Service System at age 18 for possible conscription into the armed forces. Although no one has been drafted in the U.S. since 1973, draft registration continues for possible r einstatement on some future date. In the Oath of Citizenship, immigrants becoming naturalized U.S. citizens swear to defend the Constitution and laws of the US and, when required by the law, to bear arms on behalf of the U.S. and/or perform noncombatant service.

2. Do TWO of the following: (a) Visit a place that is listed as a National Historic Landmark or that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tell your counselor what you learned about the landmark or site and what you found interesting about it. Museum

(b) Tour your state capitol building or the U.S. Capitol. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and the history. Madison State Capital c) Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation. (d) Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent's permission), and other resources, find out more about the monument. Tell your counselor what you learned, and explain why the monument is important to this country's citizens. 3. Watch the national evening news five days in a row OR read the front page of a major daily newspaper five days in a row. Discuss the national issues you learned about with your counselor. See Newspapers. Choose one of the issues and explain how it affects you and your family.

4. Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your counselor how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one. (a) Declaration of Independence The United States Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, announcing that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were no longer a part of the British Empire. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration is a formal

explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to declare independence from Great Britain, more than a year after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. The birthday of the United States of America—Independence Day—is celebrated on July 4, the day the wording of the Declaration was approved by Congress. After approving the wording on July 4, Congress issued the Declaration of Independence in several forms. It was initially published as a printed broadside that was widely distributed and read to the public. The most famous version of the Declaration, a signed copy that is usually regarded as the Declaration of Independence, is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Contrary to popular mythology, Congress did not sign this document on July 4, 1776; it was created after July 19 and was signed by most Congressional delegates on August 2.

(b) Preamble to the Constitution The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief introductory statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles which the Constitution is meant to serve. It expresses in general terms the intentions of its authors, is sometimes referred to by courts as evidence of what the Founding Fathers thought the Constitution meant and what they hoped it would achieve (especially as compared with the Articles of Confederation). “

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence,[1] promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

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Meaning and application  The Preamble does not assign any powers to the federal government[2] or provide specific limitations on government action. Due to the Preamble's limited nature, it has almost certainly never been relied upon by any court as the decisive factor in deciding a case,[3] except in apparently frivolous circumstances.[4]

(c) The Constitution

The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States. It provides the framework for the organization of the United States Government. The document defines the three main branches of the government: The legislative branch with a bicameral Congress, an executive branch led by the President, and a judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court. Besides providing for the organization of these branches, the Constitution carefully outlines which powers each branch may exercise. It also reserves numerous rights for the individual states, thereby establishing the United States' federal system of government. It is the shortest and oldest written constitution of any major sovereign state.[1] The United States Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later ratified by conventions in each U.S. state in the name of "The People"; it has since been amended twenty-seven times, the first ten amendments being known as the Bill of Rights.[2][3] The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was actually the first constitution of the United States of America.[4] The U.S. Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation as the governing document for the United States, and transformed the constitutional basis of government from confederation to federation, also making it the world's oldest federal constitution.[5] The Constitution has a central place in United States law and political culture.[6] The handwritten, or "engrossed", original document is on display at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.

(d) Bill of Rights In the United States, the Bill of Rights is the name by which the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are known.[1] They were introduced by James Madison to the First United States Congress in 1789 as a series of constitutional amendments, and came into effect on December 15, 1791, when they had been ratified by three-fourths of the States. The Bill of Rights limits the powers of the federal government of the United States, protecting the rights of all citizens, residents and visitors on United States territory. Thomas Jefferson was the main proponent of the Bill of Rights.[2] The Bill of Rights protects freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to keep and bear arms, the freedom of assembly, the freedom to petition, and freedom of the press. It also prohibits unreasonable search and seizure, cruel and unusual punishment, and compelled self-incrimination. The Bill of Rights also prohibits Congress from making any law respecting establishment of religion and prohibits the federal government from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. In federal criminal cases, it requires indictment by grand jury for any capital or "infamous crime", guarantees a speedy public trial with an impartial jury composed of members of the state or judicial district in which the crime occurred, and prohibits double jeopardy. In addition, the Bill of Rights states that "the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people,"[3] and reserves all powers not granted to the federal government to the citizenry or States. Most of these restrictions were later applied to the states by a series of decisions applying the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which was ratified in 1868, after the American Civil War. Madison proposed the Bill of Rights while ideological conflict between Federalists and anti-Federalists, dating from the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, threatened the overall ratification of the new national Constitution. It largely responded to the Constitution's influential opponents, including prominent Founding Fathers, who argued that the Constitution should not be ratified because it failed to protect the basic principles of human liberty. The Bill was influenced by George Mason's 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights, the 1689 English Bill of Rights, works of the Age of Enlightenment pertaining to natural rights, and earlier English political documents such as Magna Carta (1215).

First Amendment – Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause; freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly; right to petition Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. •

Second Amendment – Right to keep and bear arms. A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

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Third Amendment – Protection from quartering of troops.

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. •

Fourth Amendment – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

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Fifth Amendment – due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain. No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

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Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and rights of the accused; Confrontation Clause, speedy trial, public trial, right to counsel In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

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Seventh Amendment – Civil trial by jury. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

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Eighth Amendment – Prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

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Ninth Amendment – Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. •

Tenth Amendment – Powers of states and people. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

(e) Amendments to the Constitution The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

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11th

Immunity of states from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners not February 7, Full March 4, 1794 living within the state borders. Lays the foundation for sovereign immunity. 1795 text

12th

Revision of presidential election procedures

December 9, 1803

June 15, 1804[2]

Full text

13th

Abolition of slavery, except as punishment for a crime.

January 31, 1865

December 6, 1865

Full text

14th

Citizenship, state due process, applies Bill of Rights to the states, revision to apportionment of Representatives, Denies public office to anyone who has rebelled against the United States

June 13, 1866

July 9, 1868[3]

Full text

15th

Suffrage no longer restricted by race

February 26, 1869

February 3, Full 1870[4] text

16th

Allows federal income tax

July 12, 1909

February 3, Full 1913 text

17th

Direct election to the United States Senate

May 13, 1912

April 8, 1913

Full text

18th

Prohibition of alcohol (Repealed by 21st amendment)

December 18, 1917

January 16, Full 1919 text

19th

Women's suffrage

June 4, 1919

August 18, Full 1920 text

20th

Term Commencement for congress (January 3) and president (January 20.) January 23, Full March 2, 1932 (This amendment is also known as the "lame duck amendment".) 1933 text

21st

Repeal of Eighteenth Amendment; state and local prohibition permitted

February 20, 1933

December 5, 1933

Full text

22nd

Limits the president to two terms

March 24, 1947

February 27, 1951

Full text

23rd

Representation of Washington, D.C. in the Electoral College

June 16, 1960

March 29, 1961

Full text

24th

Prohibition of the restriction of voting rights due to the non-payment of poll September 14, January 23, Full taxes 1962 1964 text

25th

Presidential Succession

July 6, 1965

February 10, 1967

Full text

26th

Voting age nationally established as age 18 (see suffrage)

March 23, 1971

July 1, 1971

Full text

27th

Variance of congressional compensation[1]

September 25, May 7, 1789 1992

Full text

5. List the six functions of government as noted in the preamble to the Constitution. Function Discuss with your counselor how these functions affect your family and local community. 1. Form a more perfect Union... States working together 2. Establish Justice... Make and enforce laws 3. Ensure Domestic Tranquility... Peace in our country 4. Provide for the Common Defense... Keep country safe from an attack 5. Promote the General Welfare... Contribute and promote happiness 6. Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity... Make sure we stay free

6. With your counselor's approval, choose a speech of national historical importance. Find out about the author, and tell your counselor about the person who gave the speech. Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given, and tell how it applies to American citizens today. Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to you,and tell your counselor why.

Speech: President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address Author: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. He was also the commander and Chief of the Union Army during the Civil war. “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense we can not dedicate ~ we can not consecrate ~ we can not hallow this ground. The brave men living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God,

shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Importance of the speech: In 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was the site of one of the bloodiest and most important battles during the Civil War. Over 51,000 causalities had been suffered on both sides. Four months later President Lincoln gave this speech to dedicate a cemetery on this battlefield site. Even though the speech was only 2 minutes long it left a lasting impression on Americans, even to this day. Lincoln reminded everyone what we were fighting for - "one nation under God". Not a separated nation. He also claimed that the nation built by our fore fathers "shall not perish from the earth". In other words, he would not allow the country to be destroyed. Sentence and what it means: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." What this sentence means to me is, in 1776 our fore fathers signed the "Declaration of Independence" creating a new nation. I also believe that Lincoln was reminding us that "all men were created equal", indicating that the war was also being fought to end slavery. 7. Name the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch. For each branch of government, explain the importance of the system of checks and balances. Branch: Function:

In the United States Constitution Article I Section 8 places all the power of the government in the Congress which makes all the laws. Since the Constitution was written the Executive and Judicial branches have attempted to place checks and balances on the power of Congress. The Supreme Court established the implication of Judicial review in Marbury vs Madison.[8] The federal government refers to the branches as "branches of government", while some systems use "government" to describe the executive. The Executive branch has attempted to usurp power from Congress arguing for Separation of powers to include being the Commander in Chief of a standing army since the Civil war, executive orders, emergency powers and security classifications since WWII, national security, signing statements, and now the concept of a unitary executive . [edit] Checks and balances 

To prevent one branch from becoming supreme, and to induce the branches to cooperate, governance systems that employ a separation of powers need a way to balance each of the branches. Typically this was accomplished through a system of "checks and balances", the origin of which, like separation of powers itself, is specifically credited to Montesquieu. Checks and balances allows for a system based regulation that allows one branch to limit another, such as the power of Congress to alter the composition and jurisdiction of the federal courts.

Legislative Executive Judicial • Also known as • Preserves, protects • Determines which jurisdiction any Congress and defends the given case falls under Constitution • Makes all laws. • Judges when a law is unconstitutional • Controls all the • Faithfully executes money; taxes, the laws of the • Has the responsibility to administer borrows, and sets United States Constitutional law and to apply it to the budget. constitutional disputes • Executes the instructions of • Has sole power to • Determines the disposition of Congress declare war. prisoners • Oversees, • May veto laws but • May legally compel testimony and investigates, and the veto may be the production of evidence as the makes the rules for overridden by law provides. the government and Congress by a 2/3 • Judges and competently administers its officers. majority. uniform policies via the appeals process, but gives discretion in • Appoints the heads • Executes the individual cases to low-level judges. of the executive spending authorized (The amount of discretion depends branch. by Congress upon the standard of review, • Confirms Supreme • Executes the determined by the type of case in Justice instructions of question.) appointments. Congress when it declares war or • Ratifies treaties. • Oversees and administers members makes rules for the of the judiciary • Originates cases of military • Is subject to impeachment by impeachment. • Declares states of Congress emergency and publishes regulations and executive orders • Appoints judges with the advice and consent of the Senate • Has the power to grant pardons for crimes against the United States

Legislative – two houses of congress – the Senate and the House of Representatives. They make the laws. (page 17-18) Executive – President – enforce and administer the laws. (page 19-20) Judicial – interprets the laws. The Supreme Court is the highest level of the federal court system. It is composed of a chief justice and 8 associate justices. (explain the other courts, page 20-21) Explain the checks and balances on each branch: 1) The executive branch (president) can check the judicial branch by appointing judges and granting pardons. The president can check the legislative branch by suggesting legislation, appointing officials, making treaties and setting budgets. The most important check the president has is the power to veto legislation.

2) The judicial branch can check the legislative branch by deciding if their actions are within the framework of the Constitution. It can check the executive branch by deciding if his actions are within the framework of the Constitution and by presiding over presidential impeachments in Congress. 3) The legislative branch can check the judicial branch by determining the jurisdiction of federal courts, by establishing and abolishing lower courts. Congress can check the executive branch by passing legislation over the presidential veto and having the power to impeach the president.