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Henry Clay High School 9th Grade Social Studies
Below is from Civics Today: Citizenship, Economics, & You (Glencoe/McGraw-Hill; 2007)

"Why Study Government?"
President Abraham Lincoln once said that we have a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." What does this mean to you? This means that the United States government and the society it governs - you, your family, your friends, your fellow Americans - relies on the knowledge and skills of that society to operate and to operate well. The United States government is a democracy, which means that the ultimate power of the government rests with the people - you and me. Democracies cannot simply exist; they require the participation of citizens. As an American, you fill many roles. For example, you are a citizen and a consumer. The study of civics will help you play these roles well. Understanding how the government operates and how you can participate in it will help you become a responsible and informed citizen. Understanding the basic economic principles of the American market system will help you learn how to make wise economic decisions. (RH14)

"Be an Active Citizen"
As American citizens, we have certain rights, such as the right to freely express our opinions and the right to practice our religion. As American citizens, we also have certain duties. We are required to obey our nation's laws, serve on juries, pay taxes, and defend our nation whenever necessary. However, good citizenship does not depend on each of us doing only what we are required by law to do. The American ideal of citizenship has always stressed each citizen's responsibility to participate in the community and in the different levels of government. (RH12)