What makes a Citizen?

In honor of the b-day of America, I think I'll tackle the concept of who is, and isn't a citizen. Of course, it may seem clear-cut, however, citizenship throughout history has always been pretty abstract.

So, what makes a citizen? Even more then that, what makes a GOOD citizen? Most imporantly, given the immigration debate, who SHOULD be a citizen?

I think too many people have a Prussian-type of attitude toward citizenship. One had to serve in the military to be counted as a citizen in Prussia. Ancient Rome had this as well. Some conservatives, have even posited a required military-service. Some have an economic outlook, that taxpayers are citizens. And while voluntary military service is excellent, and paying taxes (even with government waste) is generally a service to the public good, both of these come from a view that one has to sacrifice something in order to be counted.

Should an immigrant that serves in the military be granted full-citizenship? Yes, and no. While military service shows commitment, not every new arrival should be expected to serve; much less required service for all able-bodied persons. The reason? Not all can serve in the military. Plus, I'm positive I wouldn't want to be apart of a nation that would fight for freedom, yet doesn't have the vaguest idea of what the word means. Not that american soliders fall into this mindset at all, however Roman, and Prussian soliders did - fighting for the prestige and guaranteed rights that came with citizenship; not because of an understanding of what they were protecting.

As for taxes, even visitors to the US pay into the tax system vis-a-vis sales tax, but no one would consider them "American" for doing so. Both legal and non-legal immigrants have a portion of their checks given to the government vis-a-vis income tax (unless of course they're paid "under the table"). But a tax-payer does not a citizen-make. This is because a) not everyone can contribute lump-sums equally, and b) everyone recieves the benefits of taxes whether they are a citizen or not, think transporation systems, etc.

So...sacrifice doesn't make a citizen, per-se, but it does show a commitment. Perhaps a citizen is someone who doesn't just sacrifice, but creates as well. One who has an understanding of government, a respect for law, and, for americans, a geuine love of freedom. These are concepts, and actions, that can only grow from an understanding of civics and histroy education. This is why felons don't get a vote, as they've demonstrated they don't care - and why people who choose to become citizens are first tested on american history.

This is partially the reason why, at least on some level, immigrants (legal and non-legal), throughout American history are viewed with a bit of suspicion - their level of "American-ness" is in question. Until they're assimilated into American culture, it will probably remain that way.