FFQF: Bill of Rights Rant

This month, the theme for the FFQF is "Bill of Rights." I admit I am having a bit of a struggle with creating content right now. As I sit here, just one thing comes to mind:

THEY'RE GONE! THE BILL OF RIGHTS IS GONE!

They've been dissected, mangled, misinterpreted, revised through court injunctions... we have them in name only, but when it comes to prctice, what do we really have? And how many people KNOW what the Bill of Rights contains? How many people are knowledgeable of their own freedoms? That's the crime.

I love the Bill of Rights. They were developed out of the pressuring from the "anti-Federalists," who were extremely concerned that the new federal government in 1788 would rise up a terrible tyrant and strip the states of their liberties. James Madison and Noah Webster explained that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary, because the Constitution as written already limited the federal government's powers (few and enumerated). The anti-Federalists were not succored, and demanded an enumerated list of the most basic rights of the American people-- the basic untouchables for the federal government. And the Bill of Rights was born. And so, in less than 500 words, our basic rights were delineated. Take the time to read them now. See how brief they are. And as you read, think of how they have been mangled to make them say what the federal government wants them to say, not how We the People know them to say.

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.

I think these rights are worth preserving. And I again repeat my challenge that our nation should stop reciting the stupid Pledge of Allegiance, and turn to the Declaration of Independence Preamble and the Bill of Rights; that every schoolchild and government worker be forced to recite it before every work day begins.