How to protect them?
By David R. Young, Author of THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM: Freedom vs. Enslavement
The Bill of Rights, also known as the first 10 Amendments to our constitution, was created to restrict the Government from infringing upon your basic freedoms. A facsimile and transcript of the Bill of Rights can be found at this link: Bill of Rights
The American way of life, as laid down in the Declaration of Independents, is guarded by the Bill of Rights. Do you know it? Do you understand it?
The real question is: Who is supposed to uphold this document and protect our rights? The answer, of course, is our government. However, since we have a government of the people, by the people and for the people, the real answer is you.
At the instant the Founding Fathers signed the Bill of Rights, nothing changed in America. It still consisted of thirteen independent and sovereign States. Slavery was in full swing. Distrust and concern existed over the idea of a central government. Why not let the States continue under their own control? What was to prevent the new central government from becoming as oppressive as England had been?
One thing did change however amongst the men who signed the Bill of Rights; disagreements became agreements.
The ideals laid down in the Bill of Rights formed a resolute agreement for a dream – a goal toward which the United States could strive. Did we have a Republic at that moment? No. Have we ever had a true Republic that embraced equal rights and freedom for all men? No. We have only had the idea of a Republic where every man could live in freedom and pursue his happiness. We have had and still have many distractions and obstacles to achieving that Dream.
If there is one thing Man is not very good at it is bringing a dream to reality. During our existence as a nation, we have made steps toward (and away from) the dream of a Republic. When it has moved forward, it did so as an idea in the minds of men. “I have a dream” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. When it has faltered, the dream was diluted or perverted. (Democratic efforts to make America a democracy instead of the republic that was envisioned.)
The Constitution and The Bill of Rights have to be implemented – made an actuality. And this, perhaps, was the hardest, most important objective for our new country.
First, there was the task of establishing and organizing the new government, while at the same time coordinating with thirteen State governments, a growing frontier, and the ever-threatening presence and distraction of European interests. Is it any surprise that we have strayed from time to time and lost track of the stellar goals set down by our forefathers?
If we are to preserve our constitutional rights, it is imperative that we know those rights better than we know math and science. If our Republic is to be preserved, it is vital that our children absorb the flavor, knowledge, and purpose of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights as well or even better than the men who debated them in their creation and affixed their names to the documents.
There is always a better freedom, a higher freedom to work toward. There is also the pain of confusion and enslavement to sink into if we fail to wear our hats as stewards of Freedom. It all starts with the IDEA of freedom and an unwavering agreement with that idea.
Read and understand the Bill of Rights. Teach it to your children if our schools are currently neglecting their duty to do so. And take action to improve our Republic at every turn by nurturing the idea of equal rights for all.
There may always be a struggle between freedom and enslavement. The latter is achieved through ignorance and force. Freedom is achieved by knowing your Rights, alertness to violations, and willingness to fight for them.
Take these actions yourself and set a good example for others.
The alternative is to lose your Republic and your freedoms.
