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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