Sunday, December 15, marks the 233rd anniversary of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. It is essential to point out that the Bill of Rights did not grant or give rights to anyone. Rights come from God, and the main reason for government at any level is to protect the God-given rights of its citizens. The Bill of Rights unenumerated some rights and said that the federal government cannot mess with them. The word “right” doesn’t appear in the original U.S. Constitution. So, we don’t have any Constitutional rights; we have God-given rights protected by the Constitution.
While researching this article, I thought I would see if the Biden Administration had issued a proclamation to commemorate Bill of Rights Day, and to my surprise, I discovered that it did back in 2023. This may have been due to the fact that the closest date on the LGBTQ+++++ calendar is Pansexual/Panromantic Pride Day, celebrated on December 8, but I am sure that they will come up with another gender to celebrate on the 15th.
The first two paragraphs of the proclamation were good:
“On December 15, 1791, after years of debate and deliberation, our forebearers ratified the Bill of Rights. In doing so, they forever enshrined the fundamental rights and liberties we hold sacred as Americans and set in motion the greatest self-governance experiment in the history of the world.
The freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights — the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, privacy, and more — have helped define who we are as a people and served as our Nation’s enduring North Star. The 17 additional Amendments that have been ratified since have opened the doors of opportunity wider to each new generation. But time and again we have been reminded that progress is not linear, and freedom is never guaranteed; it requires constant vigilance.”
But it went downhill from there. It went on to denounce the Supreme Court for taking away the right of women to kill their unborn babies, which is a lie. It simply left the issue of abortion to the states, which was the case before the awful “Roe v Wade” decision. It also went on to promote the conspiracy theory of voter suppression, advocated that Congress pass a law to strip the power of states to make their own election laws, and denounced states that have passed or proposed laws against gender mutilation of children, and banning biological men from women’s sports and showers. Leave it to the Biden Administration to politicize everything it touches. Thankfully, we won’t be seeing many more proclamations by the Biden Administration which have done its utmost to trounce on many of the amendments in the Bill of Rights.
A Brief History of the Bill of Rights:
During the Constitutional Convention, some delegates refused to support the proposed Constitution unless it contained a Bill of Rights; George Mason and Elbridge Gerry led the way. Delegate James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, was initially against a Bill of Rights, believing that since the U.S. Constitution granted specific powers to the federal government, there was no need for a Bill of Rights. Mason and Gerry proposed a Bill of Rights on September 12, 1787, a few days before the delegates approved the Constitution. Roger Sherman of Connecticut rightfully contented that the proposed federal Constitution had no authority to repeal Bills of Rights enshrined in state constitutions. It was unanimously rejected by states, each having one vote. James Wilson of Pennsylvania warned that by expressly listing rights, those that weren’t listed did not exist. The Ninth and Tenth Amendments addressed this legitimate concern.
James Madison changed his position, and he made proposing a Bill of Rights a key part of his Congressional campaign. One of the first things Madison did as a member of Congress was to propose a Bill of Rights. On September 25, 1789, Congress agreed to 12 Amendments and submitted them to the states for ratification, needing 3/4ths for approval. On December 15, 1791, Virginia ratified amendments three to twelve,e making them part of the Constitution. The second proposed amendment concerning Congressional pay raises was eventually ratified in 1992
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 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 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 re-examined 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.
It is vitally important for American citizens learn about the Bill of Rights, and for that matter, the entire U.S. Constitution, and demand that elected officials adhere to their oaths to obey and uphold the U.S. Constitution. Here in New Hampshire, we have been doing a poor job of it since we have been sending those to Congress that routinely disobey their oaths. The best way to begin is to read the Constitution. Those who would like a free pocket copy of the Constitution may get one by E-mailing me at campconstitution1@gmail.com
Thanks to Hal Shurtleff for the Op-Ed. As a reminder, authors’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Submit Op-Eds to steve@granitegrok.com
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