Which come first to you? Federal or State? (speech, claim, voters)
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Are you a citizen of your County/Parish first, before your community?
Are you a citizen of your State, before you are a citizen of your county?
Are you a citizen of the USA, before you are a citizen of your state?
Or is it just the opposite and you are a citizen of your community, first and foremost?
We could learn a lot from the differing opinions, with this gem.
Good question. I have actually given this much thought in the past.
First, I suppose I consider myself a citizen of a region (Great Lakes states/provinces).
Second, a state (Michigan).
Third, continent (N.A)
Fourth, nation (USA)
I don't really give my local jurisdiction that much consideration because of relocating several times in my life, as well as the jurisdictional boundaries being so small. I may live in one, work in another, play in still another, etc.
Lastly, national boundaries do not have that much relevance to me. I feel more connection, or sense of community, with Ontario or Quebec then I do with California or Florida.
Good question. I have actually given this much thought in the past.
First, I suppose I consider myself a citizen of a region (Great Lakes states/provinces).
Second, a state (Michigan).
Third, continent (N.A)
Fourth, nation (USA)
I don't really give my local jurisdiction that much consideration because of relocating several times in my life, as well as the jurisdictional boundaries being so small. I may live in one, work in another, play in still another, etc.
Lastly, national boundaries do not have that much relevance to me. I feel more connection, or sense of community, with Ontario or Quebec then I do with California or Florida.
That is exactly how the founding fathers intended.
Family first
Community second
County third
State fourth
and the union last.
The States created the Federal Government. The States delegated certain powers to the Federal Government. Powers not delegated to the Federal Government they retained for themselves. The States maintain power over the Federal Government. They are not subjects of the Federal Government, but are independent and sovereign. One is a citizen of their state first, and we are all citizens of the United States secondarily.
I never signed any "Constitution" or "Social Contract," so I'm basically a victim of the Mafia...er, the State. I never consented to being ruled.
If I was a freedman and actually had liberty I would self-govern.
Apparently you have no understanding of our Constitution, or how and why it was created.
Your State ratified the Constitution, and assuming you are a citizen, you assent to it's terms.
"We the people" are governed by our consent. We created the Federal Government, and our States are to control it (whether they do a good job of it is another question). The Federal Government has no power over the States except that which we delegated to it, such as the power to create uniform rules for immigration and naturalization.
Agreed. If given the choice when being born, I would have preferred Germany, Austria or Switzerland to the US. Significantly better social reforms around healthcare, education and environmental policies.
As to the initial question, local first, country second. Not only can I actually have an impact on local policies, but local politicians are more often held accountable and are more in touch with their constitutes than federal level ones.
Why don't you move? Who his stopping you?
We are a Constitutional Republic, not a Socialist State. If you prefer socialism to Liberty, fine ...you're free to move elsewhere. Hope it works out for you.
Having been raised in a military family that moved every 3-4 years growing up and that stuck in my blood where I continue to do that in adulthood, I would say US citizen first. Locale changes too frequently to have deep roots.
It doesn't matter how often you move. You are a citizen of a State first, because the States created the Federal Government (becoming the United States). The States were independent and sovereign states before they created the Federal Government.
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