A History Lesson For The Politically Ignorant
Do you know the rights guaranteed in the US Constitution? It is a tough question these days, given the educational emphasis on Math, Science and Reading. Indeed, History is an educational subject in decline, however, it is an issue at the forefront of American politics today.
I regularly keep up with the news, read lots of opinion and editorial content online, and certainly I have had a more than a few people in the past couple of years remind me of these rights. In fact, they elected a President to make sure these rights are guaranteed by the US Government. What are these rights?
The right to own a home.
The right to cheap health care.
The right to own a car.
The right to have a job.
Wow! I might need to sue my former school district and my university. These rights were totally excluded from my textbooks and class curriculum. Given the recent public trend, I am guessing today's teachers are including these in the lesson plan.
So, I finally decided I needed to get educated. My kids may have tests on these in the coming months at school. So, I went online to the actual Library of Congress to download a copy of the Bill of Rights, and the entire US Constitution.
You can imagine my surprise when these rights were not there. I mean, the news. Our current batch of Congressmen and Congresswomen. The President. They talk about these rights all the time.
Only, they aren't there, because they are NOT in the Bill of Rights. They are nowhere to be found in any document our country was founded upon. Amazing. It seems that in our society today, a foreign immigrant is more likely to know the actual Bill of Rights than a sitting member of Congress. You see, they have to pass a test to gain citizenship. Maybe they should give that same test to candidates for political office? Maybe that test needs to be given before you are registered to vote?
Just in case someone starts arguing with you about one of these issues, especially health care, in the coming weeks, here is the text of the ACTUAL 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 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.
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 defence.
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 regularly keep up with the news, read lots of opinion and editorial content online, and certainly I have had a more than a few people in the past couple of years remind me of these rights. In fact, they elected a President to make sure these rights are guaranteed by the US Government. What are these rights?
The right to own a home.
The right to cheap health care.
The right to own a car.
The right to have a job.
Wow! I might need to sue my former school district and my university. These rights were totally excluded from my textbooks and class curriculum. Given the recent public trend, I am guessing today's teachers are including these in the lesson plan.
So, I finally decided I needed to get educated. My kids may have tests on these in the coming months at school. So, I went online to the actual Library of Congress to download a copy of the Bill of Rights, and the entire US Constitution.
You can imagine my surprise when these rights were not there. I mean, the news. Our current batch of Congressmen and Congresswomen. The President. They talk about these rights all the time.
Only, they aren't there, because they are NOT in the Bill of Rights. They are nowhere to be found in any document our country was founded upon. Amazing. It seems that in our society today, a foreign immigrant is more likely to know the actual Bill of Rights than a sitting member of Congress. You see, they have to pass a test to gain citizenship. Maybe they should give that same test to candidates for political office? Maybe that test needs to be given before you are registered to vote?
Just in case someone starts arguing with you about one of these issues, especially health care, in the coming weeks, here is the text of the ACTUAL 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 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.
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 defence.
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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