So let us explore some of our most precious Rights here in the United States. We can do that by simply examining 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, then 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.

(US Const.)

There is your Bill of Rights. Theoretically, these were supposed to be “Unalienable Rights.“ Unalienable, by definition, means “unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor.”

How can that be? These rights are taken away, amended, altered, and transferred all the time. The fact that any of these can be taken away even temporarily should be a huge wake-up sign for Americans. It is bigger than that though.

Let me demonstrate that the federal government is currently assaulting every single Amendment in some way, shape, or form. While the examples for each one are substantial, for the sake of space, only two examples will be given for each Amendment to express the point. The verbiage of the Amendment will be repeated, so you are not forced to scroll.

Amendment I—Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

Example 1: Obamacare contraception requirement

Example 2: the attempt at the Federal Marriage Amendment

or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;

Example 1: See Something Say Something

Example 2: Justice Department subpoenas of AP emails

BONUS: Being arrested for making jokes about the TSA

Or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Example 1: IRS targeting of the TeaParty

Example 2: Must pay for a permit to assemble

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.

Example 1: Signing of the UN Small Arms Treaty

Example 2: “Assault” weapons ban

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.

Example 1: July 10, 2011. Henderson (Nevada) city police occupied the Mitchell family home for a “tactical advantage” over a neighbor.

Example 2: Boston Marital 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.

Example 1: Warrantless wiretapping

Example 2: IRS’s use of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986.

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.

Example 1: US Supreme Court ruled a suspect’s silence can be used as evidence of his guilt.

Example 2: Public Danger Exception in Boston

BONUS: Eminent Domain

BONUS: Taxes

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.

Example 1: NDAA

Example 2: Bradley Manning or Anwar al-Awlaki

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, then according to the rules of the common law.

Example 1: TORT “Reform”

Example 2: Slocum v. New York Life Insurance Company

Amendment VIII—Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Example 1: Drone Strike Assassinations against Citizens

Example 2: Undefined Prison Sentences & Solitary Confinement

BONUS: ISOM v. STATE (ISOM v. STATE, 1991)

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

Example 1: The Hatch Act

Example 2: Property Ownership

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.

Example 1: Federal Gun Ban

Example 2: DOMA

These are just examples, of course, and once again, plenty of examples could be used. These are to demonstrate that every single Amendment has come under attack in some way, shape, or form, and yet, we do not see anyone from any branch of government stepping in to stop such infringements.

Instead, we see quite the opposite, do we not? We see police enforcing horrible laws that infringe on the rights of the people, and we see the military carrying out assassinations against American citizens because some guy (who did NOT have citizen approval) said to go ahead and murder a citizen without Constitutional oversight!

Who is going to stand up to protect our Constitution? How much of the Constitution must be infringed upon before enough is enough? This is not instigating, mind you; these are legitimate questions. What is the recourse for violating the law of the land? Where is the resolve to hold our elected representatives accountable? Where are the freedom-loving Constitutionalists who swore to uphold and defend the Constitution against all foreign and domestic enemies?

We are watching our nation crumble, and everyone is afraid of the people who work for us! It is a twisted mess, and it will get much worse before it ever gets better.

The protection of Rights does not solely fall upon the shoulders of those in uniform. YOU have to take ownership. The Constitution does not provide you with these Rights. You were born with them. The Constitution listed them as Rights the government could not license, alter, adjust, trade, or take away. By resisting unconstitutional law, you are, in fact, acting in a Constitutional manner.

You need to know, protect, and exercise your Rights. A big part of the issue is that when someone gets offended by another exercising their Rights, the person exercising said Rights is made to feel guilty about it, as though they had done something wrong.

You should not apologize for exercising your Rights. Sometimes, someone may exercise a Right, and you may get offended. Occasionally, someone might get offended when you exercise a Right. So what? It is your or their right to do so, and it is your duty to not only “allow” it but to encourage it. Sure, you may disagree with what they say, but it is your duty to defend their right to say it. It should be reciprocated accordingly. This should work out great as long as everyone is not infringing upon the rights of another.

Furthermore, you do not have a Right against the offense. You will be offended from time to time. Be an adult. Be responsible for your actions.

People of religious faith, stop pushing religion on everyone. Atheists, stop stealing religion from everyone. Respect the opinions of others as well as their beliefs.

We should all be allowed to have our principles. We should not only have them but be willing to stand upon them and collectively resist policies or programs that contrast with the Constitution.

We are, in fact, born equal. Prosperity and happiness . . . we have to chase that, and we must not stand in the way of others attempting the same.

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