The Bill of Rights (Our Rights . . . Lest We Forget)
My wife and I are history buffs, we are especially interested in the founding fathers for their wisdom and foresight. The blood, sweat, and tears that went into what we have is truly amazing. I often say to my wife that people take so much for granted and I am personally angered by that fact. I am also angered by the complacency and acceptance of crime and corruption in our political system-- just look to the events in Chicago.
I think people forget, because they just don't know and truly appreciate what we really have. That said, I was thinking about our rights as Americans and thought I would share the transcript (from www.archives.gov) of the Bill of Rights . . . perhaps we should all read these to our children.
The Bill of Rights: A Transcription
The Preamble to The Bill of Rights
Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.
Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights."
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Categories: Self Sufficiency, Simple Living, Personal Philosophy
Tags: Self Sufficiency Simple Living Personal Philosophy
Your post is very much appreciated. Most of us have turned our back on our heritage and just hope for the best in politics. We need to get involved and understand what is going on. That means, understanding our history and the law of the land - the U.S. Constitution.
One point that I would like to highlight in this arena - our founders believed that our rights were natural, and not granted by any government like a privilege. One of the main ideas of our constitution was to guarantee those natural rights (both enumerated and unenumerated).
So many in public office act and speak as though our rights are granted by the government and therefore rightfully regulated by the government. This is 180 degrees from the founding prinicples of our country.
The more we give up our rights to government, the more we buy into the idea that they are government granted. Of course, they are not - they are natural rights that we are born with.
My experience in this 2008 election cycle made it clear to me that many people in office and running for office haven't a clue about our heritage, or don't care much for it unless it suits their interests. The only way this is going to change is if we put decent, fair-minded and well educated people into office. The education I am most interested in is their ability to understand our heritage and not toss it aside.
We shouldn't be wasting the intellect, hard work and sacrafice of our forebearers because of our need for convenience and comfort, or because we're just too damned lazy. Freedom isn't free and it isn't easy, especially when we disregard our past and look only to our narrow focused future just a couple of inches in front of our nose. We need to be looking at things from the perspective of future generations.
If we don't respect rights, liberty, free enterprise and justice for all, then we won't deserve it for ourselves either.
I ran for office this election. I didn't win, but I made some waves and opened some eyes. I continue my efforts with a informal club called Americans for Liberty and Limited Government. It's a local effort that I hope will catch on across my state and the country. We're interested in bringing freedom loving people together to bring freedom and the rule of sensible law back to our state and country.
Let's get "bright people of conscience" to run for office. That's what George Carlin suggested, and I think he had a good idea. See my profile as a candidate here: http://www.libertarian-logic.com/clair-schwan.html
My exceptionally long post speaks to my passion in this area. Thanks for allowing me to vent.
Clair
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I’d like to note that the rights are generally expressed negatively. That is, they say what the government cannot do, not what it will do or must do. They do not say that the government will give you something, except when they are already interfering with your life, e.g. if you are charged with something, then they owe you a speedy trial.
Many people fail to understand that the government itself is not a fountain of wealth infinitely bubbling up. Whatever the government gives must be extracted from the rest of us somehow, with some sliced off as the cost of administration. This is true even in the case of Alaska getting extraction royalties from the oil pumped there.
There are other important rights beyond those enumerated in the first ten amendments. Notably:
The 13th amendment prohibits slavery. (It is just astonishing that people who espoused Christianity could have allowed this in the first place.)
The 14th defines how we get citizenship. (It simplifies the criteria greatly compared to many other countries. And makes it fair to all.)
The 15th removes race as a criterion for voting.
The 19th removes gender as a restriction from voting. (How could anyone who had a mother or a daughter not support them voting? Baffling.)
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I often wonder how many Americans have actually read this and other key documents . . .
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Alas, I have not read the constitution of my state.
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I haven't read my state's either . . . something to look into.
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