Civics: US Government And Its Citizens

In the article “Not by Math Alone” published by the Washington Post, Sandra Day O’Connor and Roy Romer, uses rhetorical strategies such as appealing to logic and credible figures, through the help of factual evidence and reputable leaders, in which it supports the author’s concern of the youth not being well educated about their country’s government. The evidence used in the article aids in gaining the reader’s trust and helps accentuate on the need for more political and economic participation from the youth. As it states in the article, in the national civic assessment in 1998, “two-thirds of 12th –graders scored below proficient” and “only 9 percent” of the students could actually explain how they can positively affect their democracy. Although, in our modern societies, many of the adolescence are very nationalistic and loyal to their country, they still lack knowledge of what is really going on in our world and, because of this they are usually isolated from the events and issues that the U.S is facing.

In America, the debate over the warranted degree of government involvement in one’s daily life is ever-present. As citizens, Americans demand protection and security from our leaders. In return, they provide capital, ingenuity, and a responsibility to society. As can especially be seen in the current time of recession and bailouts, citizens rely on the government to regulate and stabilize of our economy - to act on behalf of their wellbeing. However, this has not always been the case. Subsequent to western expansion, the government was hesitant to impose regulations upon its citizens, especially in relation to their economic pursuits. Political leaders relied on powerful businessmen’s’ support for occupational security - so formed the

Coaching or finding the ability to grow your brain, according to many, seems like two methods that only some need. When senior surgeon Atual Gawande finds he has hit a plateau and feels the need to receive coaching or uncovering the physical methods to grow your own brain, it can lead to very informative discussions. We will learn Dr. Gawande’s feelings about coaching, the ways in which you can truly grown your brain, and how those methods and Gawande discoveries relate to my own personal experiences.

Kirk Bloodsworth was 22 when he spent eight years in prison, two of those on death row. He was wrongfully convicted. A 9-year old girl was raped and killed on July 25, 1984. Two boys had seen her walking with a man before she suddenly disappeared. The boys described the man to the police and the police came to the conclusion that the murderer was Bloodsworth. He repeatedly claimed he was innocent but he was found guilty and sentenced to death on March, 1985. After 8 years he finally proved he was innocent through DNA testing. He was released from prison on June 1993. He was paid 300,000 dollars (“Correcting”). The US should not institute the death penalty everywhere in the country because it would put us at risk of executing innocent people, costs us millions of dollars in administering the penalty and there is a better way to help the families of murder victims.

Civics and citizenship education is a vital part of the Australian curriculum, as it prepares students to become active and informed citizens in the community (ACARA, 2012). The term “civics and citizenship” covers a range of topics that relate to both the geography and history syllabuses. This includes government and democracy, citizenship, diversity and identity and laws and citizens. For students to be able to develop the necessary skills, attitudes and values to become active and informed citizens, civics and citizenship must be incorporated throughout the curriculum (ACARA, 2012). To understand the importance of civics and citizenship in primary education, both terms need to be understood and comprehended

How much money a person pays for taxes, how public schools work, why individuals protest are small ways the government impact and change Americans lives. Learning about the government is beyond crucial because the government affects every angle of Americans lives on a daily basis. Learning about the government and the nation in general assists citizens in getting involved and acknowledging their Constitutional rights. Additionally, it makes citizens appreciative and more inspired.

My understanding of politics and government prior to taking American Government came from my family and their beliefs. It was influenced by the schools I attended, which influenced my respect for this country, and my respect for our flag. They ingrained a sense of patriotism with their teachings. Television and newspapers had a big influence on me in my younger

As Americans citizen we enjoy our rights and freedoms as a society. We enjoy our freedom of speech and our right to choose where to live. With all those freedoms also these rights comes with a legal obligation to uphold and to follow the law of our country. Also there are many American citizens moral obligated to exercise their rights but many times of the case Americans citizens are not forces to legally oblige to follow the law. A good example an American citizen has the right to bear arms but also an American citizen also has the right not to own a weapon. It is really important as an American citizen that we understand the pros and cons of voting.

Knowledge about the United States constitution and the laws, policies, and procedures, of our government affects everybody's life. This experience will affect who I am by giving me opportunities; these opportunities will lead me to a happier life. One goal I have that is motivating me to be to learn more about the United states is my dream of becoming a lawyer. Becoming a lawyer is important to me as it will be a challenging job, but will also involve defending the constitution of the United

As the words spoken by Samuel Adams, “If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin” (Kehr). Our founding fathers, had built this country on the few basic principles of liberty, freedom, equality and happiness. It is our responsibility as citizens of that country to make sure that we not only protect it, but the liberties and freedoms bestowed upon us by our country also. Learning about the government and our America would help make sure that whenever a time of need were to arise we would be able to stand up and protect our country.

Many scholars believe that falling civic organization membership and the general decline in our Social Capital has negatively impacted voter turnout.” (Kaufmann. 145) To summarize, people in the United States are “less involved” with other groups and other people as a whole, so it is only logical to feel they would be less involved or interest in our political and governmental future.

“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish the Constitution for the United States of America.” Without the right that the Constitution brings us, we wouldn’t have rights therefore the United States wouldn’t be a good place to live in. The Constitution brings us the right of freedom of speech (first amendment) , the right to bear arms (second amendment), and the right to protect against unreasonable government actions such as search and seizure of person property (fourth amendment). Being an American citizen means that you have rights that they would like you to fulfil. As an American citizen is it voluntary to vote, but others are required such as obeying the law and paying taxes. The Magna Carta, John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government, and the Petition of Rights explains the rights and the responsibilities of an American citizen.

The structure of our American Government was founded in the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution was written to be the “supreme law of the land,” and produces a democratic republic, where citizens govern themselves (Our American Government, n.d). The purpose of our government, is to “establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity” (Our American Government, n.d.). For our country to accomplish this purpose our Founding Fathers created three principles, “inherent rights, self-government, and separation of powers” (Our American Government, n.d.). The government was developed to ensure order in society and protect its citizens, but with all systems, there is strengths and weakness, let’s examine those strengths and weakness. Let’s first look at the strength and weakness of the U.S. Constitution.

I have not had much interest in politics until recently. Before last year, I did not care for anything related to politics; I thought that it was all boring and had little to no affect on me on a personal level. I am more interested in politics nowadays. I know better now that it does affect me and I should care about it. I had learned about the concepts of political socialization, party identification, political tolerance, political trust, political efficacy in government class and how they affect my political beliefs. My personal political belief has been shaped into what it is today and is still being shaped because of those six concepts.

I completely agree with you about civics being taught much earlier than senior year. It is a very valuable class that should be taught early so our students can start applying them early. I wish I was taught how to balance a checkbook, about credit cards, and saving money. History was really boring to me otherwise because all I remember is PowerPoint, lectures and notes. It is not hard to memorize these but when it comes to remembering them hard because it is not memorable enough for students like myself to make connections to what was taught. Memorizing is good for some subjects but history is something that needs connections.