The Bill of Rights - A Public Service Announcement

It seems some of us have forgotten the rights we have under the Constitution of the United States.

It is beneficial therefore, from time to time, to revisit and recall the rights we granted ourselves as a nation, and as a people.

These are the rules we agreed to live by.

These are the rules we agreed to defend, and to die for if necessary.

These are the rights we granted to the least of us, and to the greatest of us.

And these are the ten most important limits we placed on our government, to ensure that the people have the right right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.







The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of 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 insure 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, namely:


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.

We need to remember, with our rights, it is ALL......or nothing...

Judging by the recs, there's five of us that think the Bill of Rights is a nifty good idea...


:kick:

every state building somewhere everyone can see them.

And welcome to DU! :hi:

:toast:

The government has already assaulted several of them and as a country, we haven't even noticed? We MUST vote for a candidate that will stand up for these rights or they will all be assaulted by the time the next election comes around. That is if we still have elections if we vote the wrong person in office this time. Are their ANY candidates running now that are standing up for the constitution and our rights?


Amendment I
Protest the war and make an impact on Bushs plans, go to jail.

Amendment II
They continue to ban more weapons for the public and make more powerful ones for themselves and if you were to have ANY group of peaceful people with legal weapons, you will be watched, harassed and even arrested.

Amendment IV
Wiretapping, illegal searches, internet, you name it here.

Amendment V
If they don't like you or if you stand up for your rights, you are a terrorist and they will throw you in a whole to dissapear if they want with no recourse for you. You are silenced because its always top secret or national security reasons.

Amendment VI
See V

Amendment VIII
No cruel and unusual punishment, um ok!

Amendment IX
Doesn't really stand for anything, doesn't get used?

Again all of our effort should be in getting a person in the white house that WILL stand up against the attack on the constitution. There is nothing more important, without our rights, they can take away any health plan they give us and so on.I don't understand in a supposed Democratic society and also on a Democratic website, why this issue wouldn't be number one with everyone?


Good luck to us all!

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