Freedoms

The framework of our great country was solidified by our founding fathers with our Bill of Rights which was passed in 1789 and ratified in 1791. With this document, the United States of America became unique within the world. Since its conception, the protection of these rights have come at great cost, a cost so unimaginable, that it is hard to imagine that some people and the government, both local and federal, work so hard to corrupt it. Before considering the cost to protect these freedoms, take a moment to review them...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

The Bill of Rights is the framework and fundamental principles that created our way of life in America. Our very existence in this country is the result of those basic rights being denied to people who immigrated here from foreign lands. Imagine if you will, what would happen to this country if the Bill of Rights were no longer protecting us? In America, we take for granted our freedoms and way of life, even with the vast amount of communication available to us, we do not know of the personal suffering when those rights do not exist. Imagine the risk of being executed or imprisoned for expressing your thoughts. Imagine the risk of being imprisoned without a chance to defend yourself. Imagine what your life would be like if you were not allowed to own property, your home, or have the choice of which religion to practice. Imagine being executed because of the color of your skin or your ethnic background. Imagine what it would be like if our own government had the right to search or investigate our homes and private lives without probable cause. With very few exceptions we do not know of these experiences in our personal lives, we only read about them in news stories or history books. We don't take the time to appreciate what we have but I can assure you of one thing, you will miss those freedoms and rights when they are gone.

At what expense does it cost to protect our freedoms and our way of life? The most horrific number is [xxxxxx]. That is the number of people, soldiers, who have died protecting those freedoms and rights. The next time someone tries to create a law to infringe upon our basic rights, be sure to remind them that [xxxxx} brave men and women lost their lives to provide them with their way of life!

There are people within America that want to challenge these freedoms, there are also threats against them (and us) from foreign lands as well.

SOURCE = http://www.militaryfactory.com