"Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; whenever things get so far wrong so to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them right." These great words were spoken by Thomas Jefferson in 1789, and reflect the importance of an educated citizenry. Voting is an important responsibility that all citizens should take advantage of. Citizens should also be aware and familiar with the binding laws of certain area. Finally, an educated citizen needs to be able to communicate with other citizens surrounding them. It is a citizen's responsibility to be educated for the success of the nation.
Voting is a principal responsibility of all citizens, but as with any important decisions, it requires prior knowledge and information. In order to make an appropriate decision citizen must understand the views of the candidate that they support. The decision that a voter makes at the voting booth can last for years, and can affect the lives of millions of people. Therefore, voting is not something that should be taken in stride. It is a decision that requires dedication, interest, time, and most importantly, an education.
Dutiful citizens are required to known and comprehend the laws set by the local, state, and national governments. A person cannot run feral and carelessly in the streets and avoid being reprimanded due to their lack of knowledge of the laws they have broken. Ignorance is no excuse for poor behavior. For example, a person cannot drive recklessly over the speed limit and endanger the lives of others. Then, once the person is pulled over by a police officer, not be held responsible for his or her actions because he or she was unaware of the imposing speed limit. Everyone is bound to a civilized society with rules, and it is everyone's responsibility to be knowledgeable in these rules. .
Finally, an educated citizen needs to be able to communicate effectively with others.