This is an essential exercise for Latter-Day Saints to know how a government of liberty should be structured in order to safeguard freedom and individual rights against the judicial and legislative attacks that have eroded our inspired Constitution. This essay contains Principle 5 on contract citizenship.
This is a continuation of the listing and ellucidation of the founding principles for an ideal government. This is an essential exercise for Latter-Day Saints to know how a government of liberty should be structured in order to safeguard freedom and individual rights against the judicial and legislative attacks that have eroded our inspired Constitution. This essay contains Principle 5 on contract citizenship. If you haven’t read Parts 1-III on defining fundamental rights, see the index here: http://www.ldsfreemen.com/author/joelskousen/
PRINCIPLE #5:
CITIZENSHIP SHOULD BE BY COVENANT AND QUALIFICATION RATHER THAN BY BIRTH, WHEREBY THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS, AND THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOTH PARTIES (GOVERNMENT AND CITIZEN) ARE CLEARLY SPECIFIED.
THE CITIZEN CONTRACT: One of the ultimate safeguards of individual freedom is the use of a signature document for becoming a citizen of a constitutional republic. Since every relinquishment of one’s fundamental rights, even though partial, necessitates a voluntary contract, it is indispensable that this process be formalized in a signature document.
Under this doctrine, no person, not even children of citizens, are recognized as citizens unless they have met the requirements of citizenship, are financially responsible to the contractual support obligations of government and commit to such in writing. This does not mean, however, that only citizens can live in the nation and enjoy the benefits of freedom. What it does require is that each non-citizen be contractually attached to a citizen. Thus, children have rights under the citizenship of their parents because of the obligation of parents to care for such, within the previously stated conditions. Leaving the home, therefore, is a major step–one which requires real preparation and serious consideration. Few would do so for flimsy reasons, therefore enhancing a teenager’s sense of responsibility to prepare himself for citizenship, and to act as a responsible family member prior to stepping out on his own.
In like manner, any citizen is free to hire any person in the world, of whatever nationality (as part of his right to contract and dispose of assets) as long as he assumes full responsibility for the person under his contractual care. This system solves most problems involving unwanted illegal aliens. The liabilities of citizenship coupled with a citizen’s desire to protect his status as a citizen would serve as an incentive to bring only competent, good people into this nation. There would be no welfare problems, as each person would be linked to a citizen for responsibility. Any person without such a link would be punished and deported. Punishment for illegal entry is important as a deterrent. Deportation alone is like getting a free and regular tour of the various border crossing areas–at taxpayer expense. There would be little excuse for good persons of foreign nationalities to attempt illegal entry given the ease of meeting the legal requirements through employment with a citizen.
People working under the protection of a citizen would not have a free ride. The citizen would have to pass on in lower wages the costs that he would incur to accept responsibility and head taxes for non-citizens, which would only be fair. This would provide an excellent inducement for persons of solid character and industry to apply themselves toward gaining the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship.
The concept of a citizen contract would solve many other current problems as well. For example, a military draft is improper involuntary servitude, except under the pre-agreement of a citizenship contract where the limits of such service are defined beforehand. Also, strict limits upon government power, and taxation should be pre-agreed upon thereby eliminating coercive government policies as presently instituted. Citizenship might even be contingent upon exercising one’s right to vote. It might also require an extensive examination in order to ensure that all applicants understand the principles of law and government that preserve liberty. I would strongly suggest the requirement that a person agree not to assist foreign governments that take others’ property involuntarily (socialism). A uniform knowledge of the national language may also be appropriate.
The inducement to become a citizen would be obvious to those working hard enough to exercise their right of ownership. No one should be able to own property that required title protection (land, buildings, or other expensive, serialized assets) unless they became a contracting citizen agreeing to support the government set up to defend those rights.
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