Your thoughts on Citizenship

[talonTehRushFind]

OK, so citizenship is an important discussion. I'd like to hear what y'all think about the general topic of citizenship and the responsibilities, benefits, or risks associated with citizenship (national).

THIS IS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO RANT ABOUT CURRENT LEGISLATION, ADMINISTRATION, OR RACISM.

I frequently talk with my Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts about citizenship and what it means to be a good citizen. I would like to open an honest discussion about why citizenship is (or is not) important. I'll chime in with my comments once the thread gets going.


“Citizenship is what makes a republic; monarchies can get along without it” Mark Twain

“The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight.” Theodore Roosevelt

“It is not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen.” Aristotle

“No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline.” Kofi Annan

“Every good citizen makes his country's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defence and is conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.” Andrew Jackson

~Talon

[sir-understeer]

Having been an immigrant myself, I feel that citizenship is the total inclusion into the society that you live in. It is the nation's way of telling you "ok, you've finally been accepted into our country, you've passed your probation period."

Feels good to be a part of the nation that you've lived in forever, as you finally have a say in how things should run around here.

The right to vote is sooooooo important (ironic then, that I still haven't gotten my lazy butt down to register myself to vote, deeerrrr), and most people don't even exercise that right (like me, I am a bad example, I know). But instead, they want in as a citizen so they can collect on the social security checks.

For those people who are genuinely wishing to be a part of a country that they've immigrated to, and go through the process of becoming a citizen, I applaud you. To those people whom are just trying to get in and collect social security money, or generally abuse the benefits of being a citizen of the US of A, GTFO.

[White-Pinnacle]

I immigrated to the US as well. If you live in the US and reap the benefits then you have an obligation to be a citizen. Plus I think you also need to speak English as well. The older immigrants may have some difficulties in learning English but I think it's important. I can't believe immigrants who have lived in the US for 10-15 years and can't speak English.

I was around 12-13 years old and helped my mother study for her citizenship. I have traveled around the world and noticed that the US is truly a melting pot. The US is more tolerant of race and religion compared to other countries. There are problems and I don't deny that but at least we're not killing each other off like in Iraq, Sudan, Rwanda, etc.

There's also the issue of being a commissioned officer in the US military, you have to be a citizen. It's ironic that my periodic security clearance review is being rejected because I'm having some difficulty in proving that I'm a citizen after 30 years in the country. . . I finally found my US passport. Makes me wonder if the investigating agencies really checked my background prior to 911.

Anyway, my wife and I were joking that maybe I will be deported. But I have a backup, my wife was born in the US so I have a good backup plan. LOL.

OPREP