In YOUR opinion, what are the benefits AND responsiblities of being an American citizen?

Answer 1

The benefits?

Being able to have this conversation, for one. The country I came from when I was a child (Cuba), if you even thought about another country being better, or asked the above question, you could be considered anty-government and arrested. Another is that it affords one protecton from unlawful prosecution, torture, etc that would not otherwise be available. You are free to travel in the States. You can say the president is stupid if you want. You don't have to check in yearly as I used to have to before I became a citizen. There are more.

Responsibilities?

Voting. Jury duty. There are others, too many to mention here.

As a citizen of the US for many years now, I realize that this system is very imperfect. Sure, there is corruption, incompetence, abuse of power. Of course, there are politicians that basically do nothing for those they represent but instead line their pockets and go on free junkets. There are lots of ugly little things to look at.

But there are a lot of wonderful things as well. There are ways to correct problems. Below is my personal perspective:

Up until I was 10 years old, my parents mostly sheltered me from the ugly truth of the Cuban Revolution. But I knew that none of us could speak freely outside our apartment. The neighbors might report us to the authorities. Six months after my 10th birthday, I came to the US as a political refugee and my life changed forever and completely.

As an idealistic 18-25 year old, I was intent on throwing out the system and starting over again with love and peace.

As an optimistic, and now much wiser-I hope- 50+ years of age, I realize I cannot change the whole system at once. But there is something I can do: I can change myself. I can free my mind of its internal shackles. I can try to help those less fortunate tham myself in some way. As I change, as they change, so does the world around us, for better.

I guess that is a benefit of living in the good old USA: Having that option and being able to practice it openly.

Answer 2

The benefits are great to living in the United states:

1. We have Liberty--we can do things that many can only dream about in the world's dictatorships.

2. We are a Democratic Republic--we can change our government and rule by using our power to vote for a new way if needed by electing new representatives.

3. We have capitalism--while many governments around the world try to push the so-called "fairness" of socialism, they end up with many rich bureaucrats, and a stunted working class. In the USA you can attain almost anything by knowledge, vision, and hard work. This is "The American dream"

The responsibilities of our nation:

1. To learn the issues that define our nation. One should make well thought out and reasoned decisions on their beliefs and how these decisions will effect their vote.

2. To learn the Constitution and understand it's meaning. Our founding fathers wanted a basis for which Europe could not slowly morph us into one of their satellites, in this they provided us with the constitution. It is the foundation for the American way.

3. To vote using an informed opinion. Voting is both a right AND a duty.

4. To help those that are weaker than ourselves. This means doing so on a world scale, as well as a national one. The USA is for the most part, the world defender of Liberty.

Answer 3

The benefits are, being born into a society that does not disciminate about your color, gender, creed. Every person born as a citizen of these United States has just as good a chance of becoming President as the next person does. Has just as good a chance to go to the finest schools in the world. And has every chance given to them to be a first class citizen of the world as the next person.
Now comes the hard part.......It takes a real American to be able to uphold the benefits offered to ALL peoples of the United States without regard to color, gender, or creed. Sure, the obviouse responsibilities are to maintain a job, lead a respectful life, pay taxes, VOTE. But America has yet to live up to, and show by example to the rest of the world that people with a difference in color or religion,or opinions are able to live the American dream and put aside their differences.

Answer 4

The benefits of being an American are:
1. A citizen of a superpower,
2. Live in the land of the free, and
3. Realization of the American dream-high standard of living.

The responsibilities:
1. You have to work,
2. Pay taxes, and
3. Fight a war in other countries.

Answer 5

Well, I dont know because I live in Tenerife, a small spanish island but I had an american friend visit me and he told me how good it was to be american and everything, but for me it seems as if america is restrictive and really isnt the land of the free! Taxes, crazy president, unsafe streets! its not like i dont like america, in fact New York is a dream for me and I hope to go there soon but where I live the goverment basically leaves you alone and you are free to do what you want, so I know most of you wont believe me but Tenerife really is the land of the free, beautiful landscapes and a free loving life!

Answer 6

"The fulfillment of duty by each individual is a prerequisite to the rights of all. Rights and duties are interrelated in every social and political activity of man. While rights exalt individual liberty, duties express the dignity of that liberty."

To live in a democracy
The right to pursue your own dreams
The right to live your own life in any lawful way you choose
The right to make money and spend it any lawful way you choose.
The right to worship the God of your choice,
Personal and collective freedom.
Good health care
Free schooling(thru High School
Abundance of clean water and food supply
And many many more

The responsibilities
To vote
Pay taxes
Loyalty
Allegiance
Defend
Support
Do things lawfully
And many more

To have the benefits of America you must have a responsibility to America.
You can not have one without the other.
That is why I am anti illegal alien.
They enjoy the benefits without the responsibilities.

Answer 7

Benefits... that the American dream is possible if you work hard enough . Being able to speak and think freely , even though the ACLU doesn`t want you to ... Being able to worship God openly.

Responsibilities... To take back our government to express the opinion of the people instead of the business of politics and big business. ...To defend our country even if you know our president is a idiot and doesn`t really have enough sense to run this country properly.....To try your best to work and not live off the system, there`s nothing wrong with needing help sometimes but don`t take advantage of it.....AND IF YOU HAVE KIDS IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY( being you put them on this earth ) TO RAISE THEM TO HAVE RESPECT FOR OTHER PEOPLE AND TO NOT TURN OUT TO BE LITTLE THUGS AND DOPE HEADS !!!!

Answer 8

the benefits - driving my gas powered SUV to work everyday with out worrying about getting bombed, paying my mortgage, wearing my diamonds, complaining out loud to everyone who will listen about how much I hate liberals and democrats with out fear of imprisionment, being able to raise my son to be his own person. My resposibilities as an american citzen is to protect my rights by making informed decision when I vote, and working hard to get the un-educated people to not vote.

Answer 9

Thats easy.

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-pOypG0szd7Pv_X1rQxw_4qCWpA--?cq=1&p=210

Answer 10

I live in Australia but America is a great country to live in
you will have a good life & free