Do You know Your Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights contains the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. Written by James Madison because several states were seeking greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, the Bill of Rights lists specific prohibitions on governmental powers. Madison was strongly influenced by Mason who wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights.

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This was one of many points of contention between Federalists and Anti-Federalists was the Constitution’s lack of a bill of rights that would place specific limits on government power. Federalist would argue that the Constitution did not need a bill of rights, because the people and the states kept any powers not given to the federal government to the people. However, Anti-Federalists held that a bill of rights was necessary to safeguard individual liberties… On that point one might suggest that if not for the bill of rights, governing powers may have trampled on the rights of the people when government achieved power over the states and the people. This is where we are today, a governing body that has circumvented the Constitution and are attempting to remove the rights of the people, including the bill of rights. Currently our Liberty and our Republic are in shambles, reading the bill of rights might bring some semblance to the war at hand. The war between an over powering Federal Government against the States and the People. It is self evident what is happening in Arizona with border issue and a suit filed by the Federal Government against a State of these United States to resend and back off of the states’ rights to protect the citizens of the state of Arizona against illegal immigration.

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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 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. The founders new there would be a time when the people and the government they created would be tested and to that point the time is here. The Bill of Rights is a list of limits of government power. Currently our government has exceeded that power with the Obama Care mandate and the suits filed against states trying to protect the rights of the state and their citizens from illegal immigration and the Obama Care Mandate. One example, the natural right to be free from unreasonable government intrusion in one’s home was safeguarded by the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirements. That being said, what is happening at airports and other venues across our land when TSA agents can fondle, or use X-ray machines to intrude against a person right to unreasonable searches and seizures. This would be a violation of the fourth amendment. The lists go on and on but the sheeple continue to let it happen. In the Constitution, are principles and among those principles were included checks and balances, individual rights, liberty, limited government, natural rights, republican government and popular sovereignty. We are at a turning point in our history. There are two choices at hand, one that is leading us to dark side of government and total control based on political objectives, and one that is seeking followers towards the Republic we once had. There is still hope for our country and our Republic. One might think that the Freedom fighters of today are dreamers but that is not the case at all. One must believe in what we are and what we can still be if we only stand on the principles that were given by the founders and the documents they created with God’s Hand. Choices? © 2011 Terry W. Bettis - All Rights Reserved Terry W. Bettis served in the USAF during Vietnam was a reserve Police Officer for the City of Broken Arrow, OK. Currently a City Councilman for city of Eunice, New Mexico. Mr. Bettis is the author of the book: Guards of the Gate. We invite you to visit Terry’s website Mr. Bettis can be reached at:tbettis@yahoo.com

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