What is received without effort may be appreciated, but it holds diminishing value and is easily cast aside.  What is earned through effort is treasured and defended.  It is the impetus that drives humans to work, steal, and go to war. Humans gather in groups to attain and preserve value beyond the reach of individual effort.  They join clubs, work for organizations, volunteer, and form communities.  Individuals who are granted membership in a group receive privileges and benefits.  In return, they are expected to actively support and defend the ideals of the group.  Failure to do so may result in sanctions up to and including revocation of membership.  Why is citizenship treated differently? Citizenship represents membership in a nation, with all the rights, privileges, and benefits granted to the members by the Constitution.  But the requirement to actively support and defend the ideals of the nation has been stripped away, diminishing...(Read Full Post)