Why Do Some American Citizens Have Responsibilities

Rights vs Responsibilities in the United States The United States prides itself in the multitude and strength of the rights it provides its citizens. Whether a citizen is born in the United States or immigrates to it, these rights are equally guaranteed to all American citizens. However, in order to maintain these rights, there are a series of responsibilities that all American citizens are expected to uphold in order for the United States as a nation to continue to prosper. While many rights and responsibilities may seems similar, their differences create a delicate balance that keeps the country running and the people’s rights protected. On the most basic level, a right is a freedom that is protected by an established rule or law. The Declaration of Independence stated that people had certain unalienable rights, of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These rights have been the base for everything the Constitution and Bill of Rights have expanded upon. These expanded rights include the freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and to petition the government, the right to bear arms, freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, the right to fair trial by jury, and the right to vote. All of these rights help to unsure that the United States stays a safe and corruption-free place for
Most of these responsibilities extend from the rights, and ensure that each person’s own rights are protected as well as the rights of others. One basic responsibility in the United States is obeying the law. Society is given the right to live in a safe environment through the protection of the law, but in turn this creates the responsibility to obey these laws, or risk losing rights through imprisonment or other legal action. Laws are a perfect example of how the establishment of rights creates a parallel responsibility to uphold and protect those