Civic duty is an important responsibility that we have as Americans. In establishing this Nation, many of our forefathers believed that everyone had not only a right, but a responsibility to participate in governing the new nation.

America is the land of opportunity. There are many opportunities to perform a civic duty for the public. The most common way for citizens to pforefathers believed that everyone had not only a right, but a responsibility to participate in governing the new nation.

America is the land of opportunity. There are many opportunities to perform a civic duty for the public. The most common way for citizens toerform a civic duty is by holding a government job, while others choose to run for public office to serve their nation as elected officials.

While maybe not as prestigious, one of the best ways to be involved with civic duties is to volunteer. Volunteers serve in critical roles throughout our nation. Volunteers account for a large number of the people that work to ensure our free, fair, and open elections. Volunteers are important workers in hospitals, blood centers, and schools.

One of the main tenants of our system of Government is fair justice for all. Our right to a trial by a jury of our peers is a bedrock principle of our legal system. Jurors performing their civic duty are essential players in our legal system.

Our open market economy is based on the small business model. A pseudo government agency called the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is run almost entirely by volunteers. Score is a vital resource used by countless Americans wanting to start their own business. Without the retired executives volunteering their service, skills, and expertise, SCORE would not be a reality.

Civic Duty is a responsibility we all have as members of a free republic. Performing a civic duty is a great way to give back to our community and our great country.

(c) 2006, Marcus Barber