What obligation do you believe that you have to your country?

None. I pay my tax money and it should only keep me safe, but it takes more than its fair share and uses it in all sorts of ways that I don’t agree with. If anything, my country owes me, but I’m willing to call it even for the sake of getting on with my life.

I’m a strong believer in the theory of the social contract, and I think the best thing to fulfill that is by voting as an educated voter and staying aware of and involved in the issues that concern me. Paying taxes is only a small part of that, but I do think it’s necessary.

I’ve already served my country for over 20 years in the military so I really don’t see any further obligations I have to it at this point. I will always serve it faithfully, love it, appreciate it with all my heart, and be loyal to it.

To work and spend my money here, pay taxes like everyone else, take care of it, and to not be a criminal or an asshole.

I’m with Tits. It’s certainly about more than paying taxes.

I personally feel obligated to stay informed, vote, and speak intelligently to others about our government and the state of our country.

I feel obligated to express concern and question my country’s actions if I feel they are destructive or divisive. We are a government by the people after all and my voice is as valid as anyone’s.

I feel obligated, when traveling abroad to be kind and make an attempt to learn the customs and language of my host country. To provide an antithesis to the stereotypical American tourist.

I feel obligated to appreciate what my country has in terms of history and culture while being very aware of its’ place in world history.

And I feel obligated to articulate these beliefs with humility because flag waiving and jingoism never solved anything.

@cprevite: Well stated, my friend.

I don’t really feel obligated to do anything besides pay taxes. I try to be informed about political issues and vote because I want to. It’s not a matter of obligation. I would also want to pay taxes if I was given more of a choice on how they were spent.

Paying taxes is the only obligation I feel. The fact that I’m a UK citizen is an accident of my birth (yes, I know there are MANY worse places to be). The UK as a nation does not really give me much more tangibly than I pay for in (substantial) taxes and it doesn’t make my luck for me – I do that for myself. Over here we don’t, as a nation, hold ourselves ideologically in the same way many do in the USA – we wouldn’t say something’s ‘un-British’ or ‘God bless the UK’ and flag-saluting etc. is considered a bit weird. BTW this isn’t an anti-USA rant!!

@TitsMcGhee: Why thank you Madame Tits.

None my country doesn’t do shit for me and I owe them shit.

In fact I get taxes taken from me to support causes I think are bullshit and to pay for old people who have done nothing for me so, in fact, fuck my country and it’s bullshit

@madcapper: If by “nothing,” you mean build roads and schools and public works, help the small businesses that you frequent start and stay up and running, ensure that the products you are buying are safe, protecting you in case of fire, criminal activity, or any other health or emergency related situation, and a host of other things you take for granted, then yes, your country (and the old people who helped build on these things) has done absolutely nothing for you. I’m sure none of those things have anything to do with you, and I’m sure you don’t utilize these specific things or feel the effects thereof on a daily basis at all.

Your right I don’t. Sooooo nothing.

@madcapper: Please, now you’re just being juvenile.

You can’t live in this country and not be effected by any of the things Tits listed.

So you’ve never never driven (or been driven) on a road, never eaten food from a supermarket or restaurant, never attended a public school or library? Please. Grow up.

‘cuz all I hear is “waaah!”

I’m just fucking around… the fact that people thought I was serious is disturbing. Even ignorant people could not have been as ignorant as I was in my post.

Well then, madcapper, let me give you one of these: ~

For future use.

Even ignorant people could not have been as ignorant as I was in my post.

You can’t possibly be new to the Internet, can you? I’ve seen way more ignorance than what you displayed from all sides of the fence.

Please remember that sarcasm and tone are not easily conveyed through written word, let alone in the average 20 words in a post here. Using them in your posts only causes more confusion as people don’t know if your post is serious or not. Such as this instance. This is why @cprevite has informed you of the sarcastic symbol (~)

well well I didn’t know that was the sarcastic symbol. I also don’t chat on the internet. Other that Fluther I type on nothing else. I assumed the sheer ridiculousness of my statements was enough.

That symbol seems to be a Fluther-only convention, and a recent one too. I don’t use it because I don’t write sarcastic responses.

Sadly, we have seen way more ridiculous statements being passed off as true, not just here but on the Internet in general. Evidence: How is babby formed? I rest my case :)