8 Your Role as a Citizen

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The Importance of Paying Taxes... by Zoe and Joshua (Stafford)

Responsibilities of Being a Good Citizen... by Jason and Kevin (Hubbell)

RESPONSIBILITIES OF BEING A GOOD CITIZEN

There are many responsibilities that come with being a good and productive citizen. When people keep these responsibilities in mind and try to live up to them, our city, state and country all run better.

Here is a list of these responsibilities according to the government website, www.uscis.gov:

• • Support and defend the Constitution.

The Constitution is the main, supreme law of the United States of America. Supporting and defending the constitution means that you can disagree with the government, or other citizens views but support their rights to have those views. By following and defending the constitution you are defending the rights and liberties that come with being an American citizen.

• • Understand the issues in your town and state and participate actively in your community.

Since you live in Bristol, you should try to keep up on things that are happening in Bristol. Are your leaders asking for public input on what to do with the downtown area? Are ideas needed for local programs and activities? Read your newspaper to see decisions being made by your city’s leaders.

You should also participate in events that make a community come together.For example, you should go to the Duck Race, the Mum Festival, the Relay for Life, and more. Ask your parent/guardian if they can find information on these events.

• • Vote in elections.

You may be too young to vote for major political leaders, but in middle school and high school, you can vote for class president. When you’ve reached the age of 18, you can vote for mayors, governors, and even the president. There are always issues in your community that you should vote on if given the opportunity.

• • Respect and follow the laws in your country, state and city

This simply means to obey the law, or follow the rules. Think of how many problems arise when people choose not to obey the law. For students, it can be something simple like choosing not to litter, or not taking something that does not belong to you.

• • Respect other people’s opinions, rights, and ideas.

This means that you should respect that other people have the right to have different opinions and ideas from you. Think of how boring things would be if we all dressed, acted and thought the exact same way. Just because someone is different than you are does not give you the right to treat them unfairly.

• • Pay taxes on time by providing true information, to your country, state, and city.

This means that you should pay to the city, state or country some fees that are calculated based on your honest information of where you live, how many properties you own, as well as how much money you earn, spend, and donate. Also you have to turn it in on time, usually on April 15th of each year. The government uses your tax money to pay for many things, such as firefighters, policemen, public schools, and city workers. Though nobody enjoys paying taxes, as you can see they are vital in keeping our cities, states and country operating effectively.

• • Serve on a jury (a group of people, usually twelve people, chosen to give a decision on a crime that is presented before them in a court of law).

This means if you are chosen to be on a jury it is your responsibility to show up. Our courts function fairly because people are judged by a jury of their peers. You may not want to be on a jury, but it is your responsibility to serve if called upon.

• • Defend the country if the need should arise.

This means when you turn 18, and are legally an adult, all men must register with the selective service. If there is ever a threat on U.S. soil, you should be prepared to help your country in any way possible.

Click here to check out the US Selective Service

That’s all folks. If you want to learn more, go to www.uscis.gov.

Click on the presentation below to see what Jarod (Stafford) has to share with you about Bristol's Volunteer organizations