Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

1. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship American Citizenship involves great privileges and serious responsibilities

2. Key Terms Key Terms Naturalized Citizens Deport Draft Political Action Committee Interest Groups

3. Citizen Kane • Anyone Born in the United States is a US Citizen, but if they are born out of country and ONE parent is a US Citizen they too are citizens • Foreign Born people who come to the United States Legally Can become NATURALIZED CITIZENS and must go through a long process to become citizens • Legal Immigrants must follow the Same Laws as citizens and can be DEPORTED if they break the law while awaiting citizenship • Legal Imigrants can request Naturalization after living in the United States for FIVE years

4. I Pledge Allegiance • All Immigrants must be law-abiding citizens who can financially support themselves and have a knowledge of written and spoken English, US History and Government • When this is done, through a citizenship test, they pledge their allegiance to the United States through oath and get certificates of Naturalization • Naturalized Citizens cannot be President or Vice President and Can have their Citizenship taken away

5. You Said Duty… • Americans use the SOCIAL CONTRACT to make government effective. • People have the right to vote for elected officials and know the laws they pass and follow the laws • Paying Taxes is also a Duty of citizenship and help pay for the greater good of the people and community • When men Turn 18 they become a part of Selective Service and can be drafted into the military in times of war • Once Americans are Registered to vote they can also be selected to a jury to help protect the rights of the accused

6. Time to take Action • One of the most powerful rights of Citizens is the right to vote and people should become informed citizens on the issues and candidates we vote for • People have the right to help a candidate run for public office or support an issue, even if you are too young to vote • People can also give money to candidates through Political Action Committees that support a candidates ideas for government

7. Teamwork STILL makes the Dream Work • People can form and become part of groups that help influence government • Interest Groups help organize people, and money, behind a certain issue • People do not have to Join an Interest group to influence government, but groups can be more effective • In order to ensure your role in the government it is IMPORTANT to become involved in government

8. Lend a Helping Hand • Volunteerism is another important duty in our government • Some Communities have Volunteer fire departments and Law Enforcement, but it may be as simple as Neighborhood watches and patrols • People can donate Time, Money, and Blood to the Red Cross and help in times of emergency or join the boy scouts and girl scouts of America to help improve the community • People can also volunteer on their own to help the community

9. This has been another WORLD FAMOUS Mr. Green PowerPoint Presentation! You now know the Basics of Government, but always continue to be informed citizens!!