OurCivicDuty.com: What Our Civic Duty is

What is our civic duty?

This concept, though largely forgotten, is the most important aspect of citizenship in the United States. We can broadly define this duty as a responsibility to preserve our Republic and uphold the Constitution. This is an overwhelming and undeniable responsibility to each other and our country that cannot be over-emphasized. The exercise of this responsibility is what enables a free nation to remain free and not fall victim to the appeal of lesser ideals or become subject to the whims of unjust government. This duty goes beyond voting and paying taxes to numerous other civic interests that are nowadays almost completely ignored.

"Our duty to ourselves, to posterity, and to mankind, call on us by every motive which is sacred or honorable, to watch over the safety of our beloved country during the troubles which agitate and convulse the residue of the world, and to sacrifice to that all personal and local considerations."

- Thomas Jefferson, 1809.

Every vigilant citizen's life is dramatically affected by the exercise of this duty even though this exercise is primarily accomplished simply by becoming aware of our country and our role as a citizen within it. It affects how we address everyday problems and issues, and it helps us to develop a more accurate view of the everyday problems that face our country and the world. It includes specific responsibility and action in nearly every area of our lives, so realizing its complete meaning requires a thoughtful examination of these different areas.

"All... being equally free, no one has a right to say what shall be law for the others. Our way is to put these questions to the vote, and to consider that as law for which the majority votes."

- Thomas Jefferson, 1809;
Address to the Cherokee Nation.

Voting

One of the most important parts of a citizen's duty in a Constitutional Republic is voting. This is the democratic aspect of our Republic, an aspect that has unrightfully taken center stage in the politics of government to the benefit of the corporation (United States Inc.) that most perceive to be government. Because this "government" is not he same government created by the Constitution, it is not surprising that our votes have only a minimal effect on this corporation's actions and membership. Currently, participation in the schemes of this corporation (including voting) reinforces their legitimacy and undue authority over the people. At the same time, however, it would be unwise to not attempt to influence the corporation that affects our situation so dramatically.

Assuming that the original jurisdiction government is reseated in the near future, this responsibility will be considerably more than just showing up on election day and casting your vote. An uninformed voter is far worse than a citizen who does not vote at all. If we don't thoroughly understand how our vote will affect our situation, we may end up destroying the ideals that we actually mean to promote. Voting is only a positive contribution to our country if thoroughly aware of our situation as well as how the specific issue or candidate may affect it.

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."

- Thomas Jefferson, 1816.

Decision that affect the direction of our country must always remain the responsibility of the people. To be able to effectively exercise this responsibility, we must know our intended government and its purpose, our laws and policy, our elected government officials, and the current social and economic issues. All these areas are closely related to and dependent on each other, so a full understanding of any one of these areas requires an understanding of them all.

"Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories. And to render even them safe, their minds must be improved to a certain degree."

- Thomas Jefferson, 1782.

Distrusting Government

In today's world, it seems a truly revolutionary idea to not trust what we perceive as government, but it is necessary to never trust any single man or institution if we are to remain free. Vigilantly questioning our government, officials, and policy are an integral part of preserving the Republic. This is why Benjamin Franklin, when questioned about what type of government the United States was to have, replied, "A Republic, if you can keep it." Franklin understood how difficult it is for the people to retain the vigilant skepticism and general awareness necessary to preserve a Republic.

"In questions of power then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution."

- Thomas Jefferson.

Unfortunately, we have been led to believe that it is acceptable, sometimes even patriotic, to trust our leaders and government. Many of our current government officials contend that we must trust both officials and the "government" during these difficult times, but history shows this to be a far too dangerous risk. It makes no difference whether we are at peace, at war, or (in our case since the 1860s) perpetual war. War has always offered governments a unique opportunity to usurp life, liberty, and property from a preoccupied nation under false pretenses.

"Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions of property in geometrical progression as they rise."

- Thomas Jefferson, 1785.

Respecting Just Taxation

Paying our taxes is part of our duty (more accurately a contractual obligation) until we democratically reform the corrupt, unconstitutional, unnecessary tax system that we have allowed to be imposed upon us. We do not pay taxes for the sake of taxation, but as respect for a civic agreement with other citizens that taxation is necessary to secure our rights and better our situation individually and as a whole. But the reality of our current situation is that this system is fraudulent and unnecessary.

"How soon we forget history... Government is not reason. Government is not eloquence. It is force. And, like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."

- George Washington.

Preserve the Republic

Our Civic Duty represents an awareness of, and a respect for, our nation's past. By upholding the Constitution and rejecting injustice, we will preserve the Republic that the Founding Fathers sought to establish. Like voting, this is impossible to accomplish without a full awareness of our situation. You cannot uphold the Constitution if you do not understand what it says, and you cannot fully understand our situation without understanding how it developed. Therefore, the first step is always awareness.

The flag of the United States of America displayed vertically.
Respect it.

The American's Creed

The following creed was an entry for a national competition hosted by New York's Commissioner of Education (Henry Sterling Chapin) in 1917. The competition prompted over 3,000 entries that attempted to convey the principles of America. The House of Representatives formally adopted William Tyler Page's entry as "the American Creed" in April 1918.

"I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."

It is interesting to note that in our country today it is unlikely that such a contest would produce the above entry, let alone the winning entry. There is little doubt that a modern entry would over-emphasize the concepts of democracy and security.

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Posted by admin on Wednesday, 06.27.07 @ 09:49am | #15

Other pages in this section:

The Purpose of Government - An explanation of and reason for this often misunderstood institution. Our Two-Party System - The political system feared by the founders for its inherent dangers. Know Your Government Officials - Our duty to know who we elect is often overlooked. The American Flag - An interesting perspective on the flag and related issues. Forms of Government - Information fundamental to understanding government. A Republic - An analysis of our intended form of government. Democracy - Rare insight into what a democracy really is. Socialism - Why socialism in the US is unfavorable for the people. Fascism - An oppressive system disturbingly evident in our country. Education - Education is a prerequisite for a free country. Influential Organizatins - Oranizations with undue influence over our government. Council on Foreign Relations - Large organization that often promotes unAmerican policy. PNAC - Neocnservative thinktank with many adherents in the Bush Adminstation. Council on Foreign Relations - Large organization that often promotes unAmerican policy.