Final answer:
Citizens have the responsibility to obey the law on federal, state, and local levels. This ensures community welfare and order. Other forms of civic participation, while encouraged, are not obligations like obeying the law. The correct option is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
On the federal, state, and local levels of government, citizens have the responsibility to obey the law. This is fundamental to maintaining order and ensuring the welfare of the community as a whole. While citizens can perform other civic duties such as participating in the democratic process through voting or running for political office, and can engage with their community by joining charitable groups or saving their income, the basic and essential responsibility that applies universally is to respect and adhere to laws established by governance structures at all levels.
Moreover, citizens are encouraged to stay informed of the issues affecting their community, participate in their local community, and respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others. Paying taxes honestly and on time to federal, state, and local authorities is also a key citizenship responsibility, alongside other forms of civic engagement like volunteering, donating to political campaigns, and communicating with elected representatives.