What It Means To Be A Citizen Of The United Sates Of America

"What It Means To Be A Citizen Of The United States of America"

I saw it on a poster board as I walked into the school; a simple advertisement for an essay contest that the general education department is holding. An essay that should be easy to write. I knew I would not be eligible for the prizes because I teach, but I thought it would be a good exercise for my brain and hopefully renew my appreciation for the blessings I have been given. I knew exactly what I was going to write about. I love American history and I love to debate about what it is to be an American. I enjoy talking about how we are the best in the world. But then I sat down to write it and I drew a blank.

September 17, 1787 could arguably be the most important date in US history. Yes, I know we all get taught that that date is April 23, 1971 (My Birthday). Or some of you might believe that it is July 4, 1776 (Signing of the Declaration of Independence). Some could even argue that April 9, 1865 (Appomattox) was the most important. I have been forced to think about all of this because I used to think that it was July 4th. But after further review...the call on the field is being overruled.

On September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 39 men signed the US Constitution. Without that day and that document, we would be a much different nation and probably many different nations. These men put the interests of the infant nation above their own interests and used much forethought to build a document that would be relevant for many years. While some may argue that it is antiquated today, I do not think many can argue its effectiveness in getting us to this point in history. And that point is the most; free, generous, powerful, respected, hated, and open society and country in history. Without the constitution we may have been a repeat of the rise and decline of Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries.

As a natural born US Citizen I can promise you one thing. I take my citizenship for granted. I did not have to work for it and I do not have to worry about losing it. I only have to worry about bitching about what Obama or any other elected official does to try to take my freedoms away. Who can I blame for all of this; myself and the rest of you that take your citizen status for granted. I vote and I try to stay informed, but I should want to do more. So I looked at what it takes to be a "made" citizen.

OK, I'll admit I did not read the whole thing. YET! It's 58 pages long and not very exciting, and the lack of pictures make it hard for me to understand. It has charts and lists of things you have to do. It even has a chart for things that can potentially get you disqualified, such as;

1. Illegal Gambling - Strike One
2. Use of any Illegal Controlled Substance - Strike Two
3. Oath of Citizenship - I never had to do this - Strike three?

So I might get to just scrape by. Here is the oath:

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

I would be willing to follow all of the provisions. Would all of you?

So what does it mean to me to be a citizen of the United States of America? It means freedom to do what I want to do in politics, religion, education, and employment. It means living in a nation that has many flaws but many more benefits. It means getting to gripe about the things I do not agree with. But most importantly, and I am now swearing a vow to my unborn child to do so, it means having a responsibility to pay attention to what the government is doing and knowing my rights so I can protect myself and my constitution should the need arise.

Stay Safe,

Rob