I have included the first ten amendments of the constitution of the United States as a reminder about what our founding fathers considered very important to secure the freedom of democracy. I am not a legal expert but as I look at the Bill of Rights I have concerns that our government is in violation of these key premises of our most inalienable rights. I wanted to remind myself and all those interested citizens of these key parts of our constitution. Here is the content and some concerns and comments after.
First Amendment – Freedom of religion, speech, press, and peaceable assembly as well as the right to petition the government.
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.
Second Amendment – Right to keep and bear arms.
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.
Third Amendment – Protection from quartering of troops.
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.
Fourth Amendment – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.
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.
Fifth Amendment – Due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, private property.
No person shall be held to answer for any 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.
Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and other rights of the accused.
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 where in 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 defense.
Seventh Amendment – Civil trial by jury.
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 reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Eighth Amendment – Prohibition of excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Ninth Amendment – Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Tenth Amendment – Powers of states and people.
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.
This copy of the Amendments is from Wikipedia.org an incredible source of information on the web.
The first amendment is about freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly. I think there are issues with a number of these. No one is ever allowed to speak out against this president when he is present. That is a direct violation of the Bill. Christianity has become the religion of the country, that is a violation of the Bill. The press is no longer free since it is own by mega corporations that dictate its content. At the Peaceful assembly I was at recently there were almost as many police officers and they were filming it. Was that part of spying on American?
The fourth amendment is about protection from unreasonable search and seizure. Since the (Un)Patriot Act was passed this amendment has been violated extensively with the all the phone tapping, the spying, the not abiding by the president in going before a judge to request the searching he declares because of what he calls, “National Security” and so much more.
The fifth amendment is about due process. This amendment has been totally violated by those this administration calls “enemy combatants”. There are many Americans being held without due process. If the government calls you an enemy combatant there all your rights to due process are gone. This should concern every American who ever disagrees with his or her government.
The sixth amendment is trial by jury and the right to be accused and a quick and speedy public trial. This has been violated for all those called enemy combatants and by the military tribunals established by this administration. This is government acting as if the constitution doesn’t matter.
If you question what is going on, do some research, start asking questions, join together with others concerned and start holding this government accountable or risk loosing more freedom.
I saw a very educational and inspiring film last night about the challenges of being a young person in an urban school. The movie called Freedom Writers is excellent and definitely worth seeing.