The tax money goes to funding for better schools which we send our children to and for better roads. The money also goes to pay for police and fire protection which we depend upon every day, these people are a necessity to our daily lives. Citizens must also abide by certain laws, which in the mind of some citizens, is a sacrifice. My answer to them is that we are not in a state of nature and this is a price you have to pay for living in a society. In their mind, if they were in a state of nature then they would not have to abide by such laws. As John Locke pointed out, we all are here for the preservation of mankind. We make these sacrifices for protection and, in the end, not only benefit the individual but also benefit the community, society, or nation. (Locke, pgs. 170-171, 180-186). So each citizen, in order to (in Abraham Lincoln's word's) form a more perfect union, must make certain sacrifices which in the end, not only helps you but helps others, this is one of our responsibilities as citizens. Finally, in regards to this paragraph, someone who DOES fulfill his or her responsibilities, are good citizens, but that is not the whole definition of a good citizen, it is simply one part of a bigger picture.
The question can now be raised, if one follows and fulfills these responsibilities does that really make them a good citizen? If a person follows the laws and pays his or her taxes, does that make them a good or effective citizen? In my opinion, it all depends upon the person defining the term effective citizenship. Each person has different beliefs and or values and these effect there .
definition on effective citizenship. One person might believe that to be a good citizen all one has to do is obey all of thebig laws?, i.e. murder and stealing, and pay .
their taxes, this makes them a good citizen. Another side that one might take is that a good citizen has to follow all laws including social laws like social toboo's such as swearing in public.
