The Benefits of Being a United States citizen

This article is about the benefits of being a U.S. citizen of which there are many.  The rights we have under the Constitution are basic several of which are not available in many countries around the world.  We live in a great country and though it may have some problems which need to be addressed we still have benefits that others only hope to have one day.  This is not to say that other countries do not have great benefits for their citizens but that they are different than what we expect and what we have in this country.

     One of the basic benefits of being a U.S. citizen is the Bill of Rights, which make up the 1^st ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.  These ten amendments although they were initiated by our founding fathers today there are different interpretations and opinions on what they mean and their intent when they were first written.

     We are a country of many religious and ethnic backgrounds and these are only examples of what makes this country unique.  Under the Constitution we are free to worship as we choose and this freedom is either restricted or not permitted in other countries.  Another aspect is the right we have of free speech.  We freely have the right to provide our opinion of the government which is either frowned upon or not allowed at all in other countries. 

     Another benefit of citizenship is the right to vote on issues that affect us and for political candidates to serve us at whatever capacity is applicable.  Our election process is something we as citizens should cherish and exercise our vote whenever there is an election whether for President or for a state or local election.  While some countries have a right to vote the election process in other countries is different than our own.

     As citizens we can also live in another country without fear of losing our citizenship and we also have the right to leave and enter the country although we may need a passport to do so in some cases.  This is primarily for identification when in a foreign land.  Support for United States citizens does not end when we either live or travel to another country.  We as citizens, if we choose, can live in another country and still receive our retirement benefits such as Social Security and if we run into trouble the resources of our embassies are available to support us. 

     We as individuals are also free to run for elected office.  Many times there are no restrictions except for age to make an attempt to serve others through an elective office.  Another benefit of being a citizen is the eligibility to apply for government jobs or government related job            s.  Those who are not citizens do not have this opportunity.  Certain positions do have restrictions dependent upon the qualifications and the experience needed but having the availability of government jobs.   One big important aspect of being a U.S. citizen is our right to choose our own destiny in terms of what we want to do with our life.  This is not to say that there are not countries where the citizens can some of the things we cherish as citizens