Citizenship and Nationalism (Part 2)

The Nation is composed of citizens. Those who are not citizens are non-citizens.  Citizens possess full rights under the constitution, whether such rights are held to be afforded them by birth or naturalization.  Non-citizens do not possess these rights, but they may earn them under certain conditions, provided they have committed no crimes against the Nation or its people. The distinction is social and political. 

The question of race has entered into public discourse concerning citizenship from time to time, and it is not absolutely assured that race has no role in the discussion.  However, it is held that any member of any race can potentially and theoretically become one who has a positive stake in the preservation of the body politic and that Nation it embodies.  In order for this to be true, one must understand and embrace the objectives and values of the greater Nation. The Nation must become his race, and while he may hold to his racial values at home, his life as a Citizen demands that he transcend the petty concerns and idiosyncracies of race.

It is purely absurd to suppose that Citizenship is conferred by means of paperwork and that this counterfeit citizenship entitles one to an immediate and full share of that socio-political and economic well-being that is the prerogative of those who have labored on behalf of the Nation and its people.  The process of acquiring civic rights has been reduced to a process less complex than applying for a library card, and this reductio ad absurdum is a dire insult to the millions who have labored, served and sacrificed for the greater glory of the Nation.  Although any person, whether black, white, Hispanic, Asian, and regardless of religious preference may become a citizen, true citizenship comes of embracing the Nation, its values and its goal as one's own. The quirks and pecadilloes of one's race must be rejected in favor of these greater, transcendent values.

Provided one is not an alien to the Nation, one who has not yet earned the distinction of citizenship is held to be subject to the State.  Before attaining the age of majority, such a person is its ward and, upon the age of majority, a subject.  Certain basic rights are still assured, such as Free Speech, Free Expression, Freedom of the Press, of Assembly, and other basic rights. However, suffrage, the Right to Bear Arms, the privilege of holding public office, and the privilege of commanding those who serve the Nation must be distinguished as the unique prerogatives of the Citizenry.

Thus, Citizenship cannot and must not be a mere rubber stamp as it has become in recent times.  It must be the exclusive right of those who have demonstrated their worthiness by means of National Service.  A subject may be loyal and patriotic, but they are not vested in the body politic to the same degree as one who has sacrificed two years of their life to meet the needs of the greater Nation.