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14 Pages…
Rights and Responsibilities
Our Government
Philosophy of limited governmentElected representatives serve at the will of the people
Government is based on the consent of the governed
Republicanism
The Constitution and laws define the limits of those in power so they cannot take advantage of their elected, appointed, or inherited positions
Everyone, including all authority figures, must obey the laws (rule of law)
Government is restricted in what it may do
Limited Government
System that does not allow any one branch of the government to have too much power
Checks and Balances
Distribution of power between a federal government and the states
In the Constitution, certain powers are delegated to only states, others only the federal government, others are shared powers
Federalism
Federal State SharedMarriage LawsDriver’s LicenseRules and sale of alcoholSpeed Limits
Levy and collect taxesDeclare warEstablish Post Offices
Raise taxes Build roadsKeep public order
Separation of Powers
Legislative Branch – Creates the laws – Article I
Executive Branch – Carries out laws and ensures their just application – Article II
Judicial Branch – Interpret and apply the laws, ensuring they are just – Article III
Separation of Powers
Political power rests with the peopleThe people can create, alter, and abolish government
People express themselves by voting and free participation in government
Popular Sovereignty
Many opposed the Constitution in 1787 because they believed it did not protect individual rights
The Bill of Rights was added to correct this
Individual Rights
Definition: Fundamental rights or natural rights guaranteed to people naturally instead of by the law
Examples in the Declaration of Independence:
LifeLibertyPursuit of happiness
Unalienable Rights
1st – Freedom of speech, press, religion and assembly2nd – Bear arms3rd – No quartering troops during times of peace4th – Search and seizure5th – Right to due process, not to be tried for the same
crime twice(Double Jeopardy), and not to testify against yourself
6th – Right to speedy public trial7th – Right to trial by jury in civil trials8th – Right not to have excessive bail and/or
punishment9th – Rights of the people10th – Rights left to the states to decide
Bill of Rights
The constitution is written to protect one’s individual rights but also to define the consequences if one’s rights are not respected
Obeying Rules and LawsVotingServing on Juries
Importance of Personal Responsibilities and Responsible Citizenship
A naturalized citizen is a person of foreign birth who is granted full citizenship
If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth or did not acquire U.S. citizenship automatically after birth, you may be eligible to become a citizen through a process called Naturalization
This is done by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (INS)
It will take about 2 yearsProcess:Apply for naturalization Pay a fee FingerprintedCitizenship test InterviewOath Ceremony
Becoming a Citizen
Some of our rights include:Vote for elected officialsSocial Activism – participating in protests/petitions, writing Congressmen
Our national identity is reflected by the characteristics of responsibility, independence and participation
Reflections of our National Identity