Pete Hegseth here for a live Q&A on 4/28. What questions do you have for me?

MAJ (Join to see)

President Roosevelt identified more than a 100 years ago the danger of man's self centered nature leading us down a path where the citizen was more conscious of their rights than of their duties and how we are blind to our own shortcomings, especially in this matter.

Many today, do not even understand that this Nation is still a republic and most do not even understand what this means or why it is important? How do we of the New World return our citizens to an understanding of the vital role of 'citizenship' and its vital role in governing by for and of the people. In short, how do we return power to 'We the People' before it is too late, or have we already crossed that threshold?

Simply, Sir, being a citizen to me means just working hard and paying your taxes and trying to raise a good family. I know not all can Serve in the Armed Forces and even fewer of us have fought, but citizenship to me is a privilege and should be cherished and honored. People who burn our flag and show up with signs I consider disgraceful at funerals of our KIAs disgust me. I know Free Speech isn't for just the stuff I agree with. Probably gonna rub someone wrong with that. I just LOVE those old bikers (many vets I'm sure) who get between the families at the funerals and that Westboro crowd. I got a little off topic, but I think citizenship is hopefully for all who want to do right, love our country, cherish the freedoms we have and support out military, Government& authorities (when they are right) and are willing to take part and try to fix things when things are not right. My military life is over now, but I still love they folks who serve and I miss my friends. Good topic, MAJ (Join to see) and look forward to the other answers. Blessings to you and your family and thanks for keeping us free.

Major. Hegseth: My question is this recently I read and article on a Marine and Soldier of Mexican descent one served in the Iraqi war one served in the Vietnam war, after they served this country in the military, they were not given citizenship status and taken down to a border town in Texas by a bus and told to run for you life, although they were allowed back in to use the VAMC, but all medications would have to be mailed to Mexico, for them. My feelings are if you served in war in this country, and want to live here that status should be granted.

Citizenship is doing one's part for the common good. A citizen doesn't demand special rights but acknowledges the rights of all. Abraham Lincoln said, "Liberty used as a license is self-destructive." Freedom is not doing what I want when I want, and how I want, it is the responsibility to do what is right.

My father was a World War II area veteran. My uncle served in the Army from 1949 to 1979 with time in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. I served in the Army for 23 years. Today I am a Scoutmaster who teaches Citizenship Merits Badges. My scouts have to - "Explain what citizenship in the nation means and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of a responsible and active American citizen." We have good citizens out there. I see them everyday. I served as a broadcast journalist in the Army for most of my career. I am disappointed in our national media. There are no good news stories anymore. At best we get to see a cute kicker at the end of the newscast about a panda playing in the snow. I know that good news doesn't sell advertisements. Show me the patriots out there. Show the nation. Show the world.

Looking forward to the discussion on Thursday! In addition to discussing citizenship and my book--In The Arena--I'd love to hear your thoughts about President Obama this week adding 217 troops to Iraq and 250 to Syria. Will this help? Are we doing enough? Should we be doing more, or less, to defeat ISIS? The RP community will know more than most, and I'm eager to hear your thoughts...and then provide mine. See you Thursday @ 4pmET...

It's 4pm! Excited to be here -- let's rock and roll. Actually answering these questions from the airport in Minneapolis-St. Paul...taking a flight in a few hours, but hunkered down (thanks Delta Airlines) and ready to go! I'll type as fast as I can...

I think that citizenship is paying your FAIR SHARE and not bitching about it. When you are tempted to bitch about it then think about all those crappy roads that you like to drive on, and the mediocre schools your children attend. I think citizenship is seeing that paying your taxes offers something more than a grumble under your breath- A VOICE. Citizenship means USING that voice. GET OFF YOUR ASS AND VOTE. Get in touch with your elected officials and HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE when they give away the good roads and schools to the people who are already fabulously wealthy. BE HEARD- be a gadfly- protest! Like it or not, fellas, the constitution STILL allows free assembly. I am startled at the sheer number of peaceful protests (not HURTING others- perhaps. Irritating them, but not HURTING them) being broken up and the people protesting getting beaten and pepper sprayed. I gotta tell you, I think that citizenship is maybe hating like hell what the protestors stand for (I'd like to see those westborough freaks buried UNDER the jail) but being willing to die for their RIGHT to say whatever disgusting old thing their little heart desires. I agree with some here who say free speech is not an absolute. Free speech is not facing prosecution and governmental abuse based on something you SAY or PROTEST. However, it is not allowed to yell fire in a theater. It is not ok to slander others- a very slim definition that few people understand. EMPLOYERS are not obligated to observe free speech. Only governmental institutions do.

Being a citizen means looking out for your neighbors just as you would one of your own. Being a citizen is viewing yourself as a larger group that cannot accomplish a thing w/o the other citizens. When we withdraw into our own little spider holes and do not take part in civil life then we are not being good citizens.

Someone used the example of the Flint water crisis earlier. Now THAT is an outstanding example of gov't OVER REACH. I live in Michigan. How many of you out in the other states know that our governor has instituted a "rule by fiat" approach to struggling cities and towns? Did you know that he regularly APPOINTS "city managers" to over rule the local elected officials and take action without citizen input or objections? Did you know that in many cities LIKE FLINT the local officials are little more than figureheads? They can vote and debate ALL DAY LONG, and these "city managers" can do whatever they please with public funds, regulations, and other governmental programs? That they need not get ANY approval from anyone else for their choices because they have been given COMPLETE power to run those cities and towns? How about that? Well, the people of Michigan said- "mmmmm. No." To thus practice a few years ago and voted for a referendum to bring a halt to it? Guess what our fine governor did? He went to the legislature and had the pass a few rules and then SOMEHOW they just voted that referendum out of existence. They also tacked on a rule that this issue can never be voted on by the PEOPLE again. SOOO- the "city managers" continue to rule from their thrones while they laugh at the locally-elected official jesters. One of these "city managers" was in control and directed the change in water systems- he also refused to add the appropriate treatment to the water to reduce its toxicity so that it would not corrode the pipes- he cited low FUNDS in creating this public health DISASTER. Now people are VERY sick, there are children whose nervous systems are impaired for life.

Now- I know some of you would instantly believe that it was a herd of democrats running the show- because democrats are such law-crushing tyrants, right? No.

Citizenship is not taking a bunch of unsuspecting citizens and poisoning them for the sake of funds.

I despair that Americans have surrendered liberty in exchange for freedom from responsibility. How can we ever get back the spirit of rugged individualism that made this nation great?

I am l legal immigrant, I got my citizenship in 1967, before my first tour of duty in RVN, It was one of the proudest moments of my life, The army and this country became my home, I have travelled the world and there is no place like the USA