This was the initial discussion postinstructions. I just need the responses – the initial discussion postinstructions are included to give you the background information.

Discussion 1 – What does it mean to be a citizen?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7_sxbCgYkc&feature=emb_imp_woyt

Step 1: Watch the video I post.

Step 2: Your Post: Your initial post will bein response to a video that I post in the Discussion Board. My video willintroduce a topic related to that week’s material and at the end I will ask aquestion. I will repeat the question but if you need to refer to it, write itdown. Your initial post should be 250-300 word and end with a question. Thisstep must be completed by Wednesday at 11:59pm to receive full credit.

Step 3: Your Response to Others’ Posts:Once you have made your initial post, read through and/or watch yourclassmate’s initial posts. Their posts will all end with a question; engagewith them and answer it! Your reply should be 150-200 words or a 30-60 secondvideo and must end with a question.

Step4: Your Response to Other’s Posts to Your Post: Your classmates will be engaging you on your initialpost. You must respond to at least one person who has replied to your initialpost. This should be 150-200 words or a 30-60 second video and end with anotherquestion of your own. *If none of your classmates have responded to yourinitial post, replying to any other post will count.

PeerResponse 1

I agree with the ancient Greeks’ way ofthinking in that to truly be considered as a citizen of their country, one mustboth have knowledge and take action. I believe it to be true because in orderto engage in politics, it’s important to be well informed about the decisionsyou are making and the causes you are advocating. It’s important to understandwhat each politician values and it’s especially important to be well aware ofthe agenda of the politician you intend to vote for. It’s important to know thebeliefs of even those you disagree with in situations where you would belobbying, so that you may be more successful in persuading them into supportingyour cause. And as I was mentioning prior, it’s important to take action inorder to bring about the change that you desire. It’s important to vote, notjust in presidential elections but also in elections for your local government,since those are likely to be impacting you and your community much moreclosely. It’s important to be willing to fight for your cause, via lobbying,protesting, etc. It’s important to just be active in your community, sincethat’s what will improve your community.

I believe that natural born citizens ofthe United States should be required to take a similar test to the citizenshipexam prior to being allowed to register to vote. I believe this because it’simportant to understand the roots of the country you live in and the beliefs itwas founded on before making decisions that will impact it. I say that it’simportant to understand the foundations your country was built on because ifthe country was built on the idea of freedom to its citizens and you vote forsomeone that will be setting limits on the citizens’ freedoms, you would beworking against the very founders of your country. An example of this is thetopic of abortion. The country was founded on freedoms– freedom of expression,freedom of speech, freedom of religion. Freedom of choosing what one can dowith their body should be included. Where do you stand on the topic ofabortion?

PeerResponse 2

Todefine what it means to be a citizen, you must consider that there areresponsibilities that go hand and hand with citizenship. Yes, if you are borninto this country you are a citizen, and you can also applyfor citizenship while immigrating to the US. Nevertheless, to be a citizenyou are educated on the history of this country, and you’re educatedon what the three branches of government are and how theyfunction. You should be up to date and constantly looking outfor/staying informed about events that are taking place across the countryand the world. You personally should be invested in being a partof your community, perform civic duties and be ableto participate in elections and other political responsibilities throughthe pathway of action. Being a citizen also meanscoexisting/respecting each other and finding ways to peacefullyresolve issues, no matter the amount of pressure being put on you or thecommunity. You must obey the laws and respect the constitution whilemaintaining a form of patriotism and pride for the country and community youreside in. I personally believe that all-natural born citizens should takea citizenship test in order to participate in statewide and nationalelections. This is because you should have some underlying understanding of theissues being presented, and which issues and causes thecandidates/governmental figures represent. There are many factors, such as ourcurrent state of affairs and our history that should be understood beforebeing able to vote for public officials or running for an electedoffice. Do you believe that participating in a national electionwithout having an understanding of how our government works, andthe issues/causes of both candidates could be dangerous?