Five Star Citizenship Long Form
by Rod Miller
Citizenship in a freedom loving country is a birthright but one must exercise the basic duties of citizenship in five ways. The birthright of freedom in America is a given, but the right to keep it must earned. Our Founding Fathers expected it of us.
Many people fear government and if the idea of taking part in governing alarms you -- get over it! YOU are the leader of your life! Take charge of it and fear not those who govern because eventually they WILL take advantage of your trust. The first step is to conquer fear and join the best and the bravest among us as a fearless INDIVIDUAL!
Historian Lord Acton (1834-1902) warned that political power is the most serious threat to liberty. His essays and letters abound with memorable insights. For instance: "Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end...liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition...The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern ... Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Containing the power hungry personalities amongst us is an individual responsibility. Why? Because there will always be people who seek to gain power and control over the lives of others. When the people permit those who govern to gain too much power, they will always take advantage of the powerless. Do the names Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Castro and Hussein strike any bells? And those are just a few of the extreme examples from recent history.
2. Five Star Citizens know history and keep up with current affairs!
History is the study of change over time. So why is the study of history so important? Because the only sure thing in life is change. Because as many have said, history has proven that those who do not pay attention to the lessons of history will repeat the mistakes. So, a sense of history is crucial to good decision making in managing the inevitable changes in societies.
History is also the accumulation of knowledge we call experience and experience is not repeating mistakes. Some claim to have say twenty years experience. Do they? Or do they have one year's experience twenty times? Logic suggests that a good decision today is more likely when one considers the related factors that went into those bad decisions of the past.
America must avoid making the mistakes that caused other free countries to fail. Americans also need to understand the world's history as did their Founding Fathers when they wrote the Constitution. Those mostly very young Founders studied governments throughout recorded history. They drew upon that knowledge when, in just 4400 words, the very best protections for the individual citizen against oppressive government were written into law.
Knowing the history of one's country is one element of responsible citizenship.
The birth of America changed the status of the individual citizen and gave Americans a legacy of freedom to pass on to future generations. It is the responsibility of each citizen to behave in ways that preserve, protect and defend that legacy.
3. Five Star Citizens THINK for themselves!
Informed citizens study all sides of an issue and decide what they want to believe -- as individuals. Thinking people refuse to take politically motivated commercials too seriously or permit undue influence by the media and special interest groups.
Since the nature of politicians and their supporters is to seek power at your expense, re-structuring the truth to fit their agenda is just another example of 'the end justifies the means'. Thinking for oneself means 'reading between the lines' in the search for truth. As with divorce, there are three sides to every story: His, Hers and The truth! Take the position of a judge and/or jury ... hear both sides, consider the merits of each and seek your own truth.
Internet news is the modern way to learn. We like The Drudge Report Website because it links to the very latest news from a variety of reliable sources throughout the world. Also, there are links to a variety of viewpoints from those in position to shape public opinion.
4. Five Star Citizens VOTE in every election!
It is the duty of every citizen to secure rights and freedoms by participating in the affairs of their countries. Low voter turnout takes freedom for granted and is a disgrace to America in the eyes of the world. Do your part to stop the trend -- get involved! Civic responsibility is a habit one can feel good about. It is good citizenship. It is your insurance against disaster. Think of it as survival training for you and your descendants.
Some describe America as 'highly polarized.' Poppycock! We see a country where the two party system is working just fine. But, for the half of eligible voters who don't vote, well they have given up their right to a legitimate opinion -- about anything related to government.
5. Five Star Citizens use their political clout!
Individuals CAN and DO have influence -- IF they make themselves heard. Make it a point to write or call elected officials and centers of influence who shape public opinion like talk shows, networks, newspapers and magazines.
Informed communication and follow-up action is powerful. Get on your own soapbox! Be a committee of one ... a lobbyist for freedom. Voting is power. HOWEVER, uninformed voting just for the sake of saying, "I voted today" doesn't cut it. The best voters are those who are well-informed and can argue an issue from all points of view.=
Related Links
|
