Rights and Responsibilities

1. Rights and Responsibilities 14 Pages…

2. Our Government

3. Philosophy of limited government • Elected representatives serve at the will of the people • Government is based on the consent of the governed Republicanism

4. 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

5. System that does not allow any one branch of the government to have too much power Checks and Balances

6. 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 Shared Levy and collect taxes Declare war Establish Post Offices Marriage Laws Driver’s License Rules and sale of alcohol Speed Limits Raise taxes Build roads Keep public order

7. Separation of Powers

8. 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

9. Political power rests with the people • The people can create, alter, and abolish government • People express themselves by voting and free participation in government Popular Sovereignty

10. 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

11. Definition: Fundamental rights or natural rights guaranteed to people naturally instead of by the law • Examples in the Declaration of Independence: • Life • Liberty • Pursuit of happiness Unalienable Rights

12. 1st – Freedom of speech, press, religion and assembly • 2nd – Bear arms • 3rd – No quartering troops during times of peace • 4th – Search and seizure • 5th – 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 trial • 7th – Right to trial by jury in civil trials • 8th – Right not to have excessive bail and/or punishment • 9th – Rights of the people • 10th – Rights left to the states to decide Bill of Rights

13. 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 Laws • Voting • Serving on Juries Importance of Personal Responsibilities and Responsible Citizenship

14. 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 years • Process: • Apply for naturalization • Pay a fee • Fingerprinted • Citizenship test • Interview • Oath Ceremony Becoming a Citizen

15. Some of our rights include: • Vote for elected officials • Social 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