Final answer:
In the federal system, a U.S. citizen acts as both a consumer of public programs and a contributor to public policy. They fulfill their civic duties by staying informed, voting, respecting laws, and actively participating in the democratic process. Citizenship involves both benefiting from and shaping the society in which one lives.
Step-by-step explanation:
As an actor in the federal system, the U.S. citizen plays one role as the consumer of public programs and another role as the person who contributes to the shaping of public policy. U.S. citizens participate in our representative democracy by staying informed, voting, respecting laws, and participating in local communities. This dual role is essential since the citizen, as a consumer, benefits from public programs and services, while as a participant in the democratic process, they influence decisions that affect the allocation of resources and the nature of these programs.Citizens actively engage by supporting and defending the Constitution, voicing their opinions to elected officials, and potentially becoming elected themselves. The responsibilities of citizenship in the U.S. also extend to obeying laws and paying taxes, thus contributing to the proper functioning of the government.
Whether participating in jury duty, engaging in civic activities, or advocating for policy changes, each citizen has the power to make a difference in ensuring that government actions reflect the interests and concerns of the majority.It is every citizen's civic responsibility to contribute to public life, not only for the benefit of society but to uphold the principles of the nation as established in the Constitution. Manifesting one's patriotism and commitment to the country by exercising the rights and fulfilling the duties of citizenship ensures the continuation and health of our representative democracy.