The Bill of Rights

When the Bill of Rights initially was considered by the Consti-tutional Convention and the First Congress, it was a controversial topic. Many, even among the Founding Fathers, saw no reason for one. They believed the re-straints imposed upon the federal government by the Constitution were sufficient. However, we now recognize what a great blessing the Bill of Rights is, and realize that those who insisted upon its adoption were endowed with an extraordinary degree of foresight.

The Bill of Rights serves as a clear and unmistakable boundary between the limited powers delegated to the federal government and the almost limitless rights retained by the people. The Bill of Rights is, in effect, a “NO TRESPASSING” sign to over zealous and designing politicians.

If you haven’t read the Bill of Rights recently, please take a moment to do so. Every true American should be thoroughly acquainted with the first ten amendments to our Constitution. They all are important, but please pay particular attention to IX and X. You may on some occasion wish to bring these to the attention of our current president or to those who represent you in congress.

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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 offense 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 defense.

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 reexamined 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.

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Too often we take these rights for granted. That is because we always have had them. But if they were ever taken from us, overnight our lives and the lives of our posterity would be dramatically altered in ways we can hardly imagine.

The turncoats in Washington recognize that in order to abolish these rights without creating too great a stir, they must make us believe that the challenges currently facing America and the world are so great that they can be solved only by granting additional power to government. But remember: No matter how challenging or complex the affairs of the world may seem to be, requiring free men and women to surrender their rights certainly will not make things better.

Anyone possessing even a modicum of commonsense realizes that the world cannot be improved by enslaving vast quantities of people, if for no other reason than it would seriously reduce the number of honest and capable minds that could be set to work solving problems.

We have a treasure in the Bill of Rights. Guard it with your life.