Amend That!

I'm convinced that the main reason why the First and Second Amendments have received so much attention for the past several decades is laziness. We, as high schoolers, never really read farther into the Bill of Rights. And it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that these Rights were set down as Rights given to the people by the government.

However, if one reads the entire document it becomes evident that the writers of the Constitution didn't trust government anymore than we should. Each Amendment is written in such a way as to convey the idea that they are not 'Rights bestowed upon the People' but rather inherent rights that the government in no measure may abridge or eliminate. These Articles of Amendment to the U.S. Constitution are not even written 'to the People'. It's clear from their wording that they are written to the government, defining the boundaries of power.

Here's a good example:

Article Four
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated....."

Charters of Freedom

This is something that's important to remember: the Government doesn't decide what 'Rights' we have, we do. And in Article Nine, the Constitution goes one step further;

Article Nine

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the People.

making sure that the government doesn't try any funny business. Just because the right isn't specifically granted in the Constitution doesn't mean that it doesn't belong to the People.

It's important for U.S. citizens to know what the Constitution says for a number of reasons. Not least of which is that you don't know when you're being taken advantage of if you don't know your rights. But also because it's bad to base your opinions on faulty and inaccurate information.

Just as the old expression 'Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it' warns against ignorance of the past, the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution warn against ignorance of the present.

Of course, there's no question which Amendment is my favorite. It's one that wouldn't even have been needed if it weren't for another Amendment. Guess which one and register as a follower on my blog, and you will be entered to win a free 8x10 contact lith print.

Drawing will be closed and held on June 15th. Odds of winning depend upon number of entries. Winner will be the first to identify correctly my favorite Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Being 'First' will be decided by the internet time stamp of your post.