American political activist and philosopher Thomas Paine (1737-1809) once said, “Our citizenship in the United States is our national character.” After reading the information in the Citizenship Just the Facts article, analyze how Thomas Paine’s quote is reflected in the processes to becoming a citizen, how citizenship has changed over time, and the Oath naturalized citizens take. Use the information from the article to explain your position.

As a country, America is defined by the ideas of this being a democratic nation. Democracy refers to a country in which individuals choose what happens in the government. In this case, America represents these democratic ideals because our citizens have the opportunity to pick who runs our local, state, and national government.  With this in mind, it is the responsibility of American citizens to use their power of the vote in order to put in place the individuals who they think will help the country the most. Along with voting, debating, and using our first amendment right of freedom of speech to express concerns/views about the country helps to create an atmosphere where people can learn from each other.

legislative branch:

one of the three branches of government divided between the senate and the house of representatives.

- creates or makes laws

- power to override a veto

executive branch:

one of the three branches of government, headed by the president.

- enforces or carries out laws

- power to veto a bill sent to it by congress

judicial branch:

one of the three branches of government, headed by the chief justice of the supreme court.

- interprets laws

- power to declare laws or actions by the government unconstitutional

c, to compete