Being An American

Introduction
What does it mean to be an American? Ask any one of the 300 million Americans living in the United States and you are sure to get 300 million different answers. Being American is more than be a citizen of the country or having parents who are citizens. Being an American is more than waving a flag on the Fourth of July. Being an American is more than chanting USA USA USA during the Olympic Games. Although, these things are a part of the “American identity,” they are not the whole.
If these things do not encompass everything being American means what does? Being American means one has pride in his/her country; not to the extent that one views the United States (U.S.) as superior to another country, but rather he/she believes the

One of the unique components of the Constitution of the United States is the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights guarantees certain rights to citizens; some of these reasons include freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right to peaceably assemble, the right to bear arms, etc. The citizens of many countries around the world do not have the protection of their government; their personal rights and freedoms are infringed every day and many times the government is the culprit. Americans are able to enjoy the rights granted by the Bill of Rights as well as many others recorded in the Constitution.
Civic Responsibility Lastly, while it is great to have the personal freedoms and rights guaranteed by the Constitution, it is important to remember that a certain level of responsibility accompanies those rights. Being an American requires civic participation, usually in the form of voting. One of the signs of a healthy democracy is the rate at which citizens vote. The government cannot be truly representative unless the members of the democracy use their voice via voting booths. For example, one cannot complain about a president if he/she chose not to vote at all.