How do you define "good citizen"?

[bigride]

I think most of the fine individuals on this forum make the effort to be good citizens in these United States, but how do you define "being a good citizen?" If you had to explain to your child or granchild this concept of good citizenship, how would you explain it?

 

[Hillbilly77]

Do the right thing for the right reason. Even if nobody is watching.

 

[Bat Guano]

The Greeks thought that the good man was also the good citizen if he demonstrated the four key virtues: temperance, justice, courage, and wisdom.

All of which are taught from childhood at home and in school nowadays, of course.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Here goes'.

1. If you are able bodied and sound of mind you work for a living and support your family.

2. You not only support your family you treat them well and give support and guidance to the kids.

3. You are honest and your word is good.

4. You are not a nuisance to your neighbors, town/city and country.

5. You are kind when at all possible and ruthless when needed.

 

[Arney]

assimulation as a member of society.

 

[kamloops67]

Do no harm to others and contribute to society
( the only two laws I hold myself to )

 

[Grayfox]

VOTE.
One of the reasons this country is such a mess is because only about a third of us bother to get off our butts and go to the polls.

 

[Alpo]

I think Grayfox's is the closest to correct.

Everyone else has listed ways to be a good PERSON.

The question was good CITIZEN. Vote. Don't try to duck Jury Duty. Obey the laws of the land.

 

[Damn Yankee]

Stand behind your elected officials just like these upstanding Americans are stating.
» Video: Americans Want Obama to Repeal the Bill of Rights Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

You think you have seen and heard it all but everyday brings something new and unblieveable.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Sounds almost like a term of derision, the sort of knowing statement that would have rang true in Soviet Russia. A "good citizen" being someone who consumes, doesn't ask questions, does as told, and always stands ready to curry favor by informing to the police. I think in Russia, they used to be called "zeks".

 

[vigil617]

I am a good American citizen.

I love my country -- even when I think she's wrong -- and I took my turn defending her in the armed forces.

I took, and still take, an interest in learning about her history, economics, and government.

I try my best to uphold the principles upon which she was founded, most important being to support and encourage others in their lawful pursuits of life, liberty and happiness.

I vote. I support those like-minded individuals seeking office, and I put up with those unlike-minded individuals who get elected instead of the ones I wanted.

I pay my taxes in gratitude for the blessings of liberty I am afforded. If my government has programs with which I disagree, I simply consider that my own tax contributions go for the things that I do support.

I stay out of the criminal justice system. At the same time, I fully support those responsible for enforcing our laws and defending our nation.

I fly my star-spangled American flag on national holidays.

I try my best to be a good neighbor -- not for the reason of being a good person, but as a contribution to the good of the society in which I am a citizen.

There are probably other reasons, too, but for these, I am a good American citizen.

 

[zzzippper]

Obey the laws, take care of your family, strive to improve your station in life, community involvement, look out for your neighbors, do your duty when called upon.

 

[vytoland]

family and home come FIRST
treat others the same way that you wish to be treated
live your life with discipline, respect, courtesy

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

A good citizen puts God, country, and family first.

When I was a youngster we had to memorize and pledge an oath in Boy Scouts. It’s short and simple and still comes to mind when I need to get back on track.

“On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law.
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”

 

[the ringo kid]

VOTE.
One of the reasons this country is such a mess is because only about a third of us bother to get off our butts and go to the polls.

And they STILL moan and groan when the wrong people get in office.

 

[the ringo kid]

Stand behind your elected officials just like these upstanding Americans are stating.
» Video: Americans Want Obama to Repeal the Bill of Rights Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

You think you have seen and heard it all but everyday brings something new and unblieveable.

Absolutely amazing that there are that many mentally challenged people out there. I loved the last lady's comment.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I often wonder how much voting matters when appointed judges make so many major policy decisions and legislate from the bench.
A big part of being a good citizen is that you're not a sponge or a freeloader.

 

[Fat Frank]

In addition to some of the admirable traits listed above, there are a couple of things I was taught and have also tried to pound into my kids' heads:

1: Never go out of your way to cause someone else grief. Not even a little bit. If you're going to go out of your way to do something, do it to help someone.

2: Wherever you go, whatever you do, always leave a place cleaner/in better condition than it was when you got there. Even if it's just picking up a piece of litter and tossing it in a trash can.

It's pretty simple, really.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

It's seen in little things, whether it's shoveling your walk on a snowy day or bagging up your garbage properly, etc. The phrase that comes to mind is one I heard often in my youth-"You're not the only pebble on the beach."

 

[shouldazagged]

A good citizen is informed, and gets his information from a variety of sources, not just one that plays to his own point of view. Voting only produces really good results if voters can see all sides of a position and compare them intelligently.