The Preamble to The Bill of Rights

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

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 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.

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 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.

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A PLAIN ENGLISH
SUMMARY OF OUR BASIC RIGHTS

First Amendment: Our Right to freely express ourselves; to speak, protest, report, peacefully assemble, petition the government to correct wrongs, etc.

Second Amendment: Our Right to own weapons, with which to defend ourselves and our country - shall not be infringed. (The people are the Militia; the final lines in the defense of our land from enemies foreign and domestic.)

Third Amendment: Soldiers may not take-over your home without your permission.

Fourth Amendment: The right to privacy; to not have your personal items, papers, records, etc., be searched without descriptive Warrant supported by Oath that there is Probable Cause to do any such search or seizure.

Fifth Amendment: The right to not be compelled to be a witness against yourself, except in service in time of war (from which "the right to remain silent" is derived); The right to not be twice put in jeopardy for the same criminal case; The right to not have your life, liberty, or property taken without due process of law; And the right to not have your property confiscated for public use without just compensation.

Sixth Amendment: Court cases: the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial Jury in the place where the crime was committed; the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the person witnessing against you; to have a witness in your favor and to have assistance in your defense.

Seventh Amendment: The right to a Jury Trial when the value in controversy exceeds twenty dollars; Federal courts may not be used to reexamine facts already established by the local court unless the law so allows.

Eighth Amendment: No excessive bail or punishment is allowed; torture shall not be used as a form of punishment.

Ninth Amendment: This Bill of Rights can not be used to deprive the People of rights not already mentioned here.

Tenth Amendment: All powers not delegated by the Constitution belong ultimately to the People and the States - not the United States Federal Government!

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Today, the basic rights enumerated above and in our Constitution are under assault by Congress and our federal government. So far we have seen:

• The White House attempting to quell freedom of speech by denigrating a major television news channel and publicly declaring that it isn't a real news outlet, but a political advocacy platform.

• Transparency in government all but eliminated as questionable administrative and legislative agendas are decided in locked room sessions.

• Congress attempting to ban our right to keep and bear arms.

• The White House attempting to elevate federal bureaucracies above control of Congress and the People.

• Congress publicly denigrating the peaceful assembly and legitimate protests of Tea Party activists as a mob.

• Congress ignoring the protests of large majorities of our citizens against certain legislation and pressing forward with passage of their self-serving agendas.

We at ACT NOW! believe that government must be restrained by citizen control, that accountability must be restored to the People, and the People must be allowed real representation in Congress.

Only by passing congressional term limits will we break the lock of political careerists in Congress and achieve these goals.