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Rights & Responsibilities of American Citizens

Rights & Responsibilities of American Citizens. All governments have and use authority over individuals- the difference between democracies and dictatorships is simply the extent of authority. Authority = executive branch, legislative branch, majority rule, interests of society. VS.

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Rights & Responsibilities of American Citizens

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  1. Rights & Responsibilities of American Citizens

  2. All governments have and use authority over individuals- the difference between democracies and dictatorships is simply the extent of authority. • Authority = executive branch, legislative branch, majority rule, interests of society. VS. • Freedom = unalienable rights, minority rights, individual liberty

  3. Originally the Bill of Rights applied only to the national government, not to the states. • In 1833 the Supreme Court, ruled that the states did not have to respect the first ten amendments. • The 14th Amendment’s Due process Clause has since been used case by case to expand civil liberties to the states.

  4. There is no complete listing of our rights; the Bill of Rights is not total listing, additional rights may be added. • 9th Amendment: a “safety net” for those legitimate rights that are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution. • 14th Amendment: no state may deprive any person of liberty without due process of law • the “liberty” it refers to includes all of the basic freedoms found in the 1st Amendment • “due process” includes most of the protections in Amendments 4, 5, 6, & 8.

  5. State police powers It is the job of the government to protect: • health • safety • welfare • morals • The courts have ruled that rights and liberties can be limited or even suspended during war or national emergencies.

  6. Rights & Responsibilities • The Courts stand as the guardians of our liberties; if an individual feels his rights have been unfairly restricted; it is the courts that act as the final arbiter. • Our civil rights are relative, not absolute; we may enjoy our liberties until they interfere with the rights of others.

  7. Rights & Responsibilities • Civil Rights do not apply to everyone in the same form; minors, felons, illegal aliens may not enjoy the same degree of protection as others.

  8. Responsibilities • Knowing about rights and laws • Participating in political life • Voting • Work and pay taxes • Volunteerism • Exercise your rights

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