Giving up freedoms

I think this is something you should read, sit back and think about. This isn't so much political than it is about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I will try my best to stay on point.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights are the foundation of our nation. These documents have sustained the nation and maintained our freedom. The first ten amendments to the Constitution were set down because the Founding Fathers knew they were basic freedoms that all citizens would need as long as the United States existed. The Bill of Rights is our guarantees our freedom.

As our nation grew, new amendments were added to keep the  nation and it's citizens to ensure our continuing freedom. Since the  Signers ratified the Constitution, only one Amendment has been repealed, the 18th Amendment, what we remember as Prohibition. The 18th Amendment was repealed by the ratification of the 21st Amendment. The 18th Amendment was ill conceived from it's inception. It was not one of the original ten.

Now, there is a movement to remove the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment was necessary, as the Founding Fathers believed, was important to allow all citizens to protect the nation from invasion and themselves from a corrupt and tyrannical government. But, this is not the main topic of this op-ed. The Second Amendment is a freedom guaranteed by the original Bill of Rights.

We value our amendments. They are prized highly because they set down that guarantees our freedom with exception those that concern congressional term limits and taxes. All amendments are of equal standing. The only amendments that have supremacy are the Bill of Rights. What if we lose an amendment? The majority of amendments ensure our rights and our freedoms. Some additions, have clarified to enforce the "All men are created equal..." of the Declaration of Independence.

Some of the amendments do not exactly effect your rights. Term limits only effects those in office. Would it bother you to have one of these amendments were repealed? I might be inclined to say, "No." But, I would leave it. I would not want to set a precedence.

Would you support the repeal of the 5th Amendment? (As a reminder, the 5th Amendment guarantees our right to due process, prevents self-incrimination and double jeopardy.) The 5th Amendment protects us from a corrupt judicial system. How about it? If you have ever been arrested, you know the 5th Amendment prevents the police from asking incriminating questions.  With the addition of warnings mandated by Miranda vs Arizona, your rights are explained to you and  it enhances the 5th Amendment. I bet you would go ballistic if the 5th Amendment were repealed.

Let's put a finer point to it. How would you feel if the Right of Religion was removed from the 1st Amendment? No explanations of the importance of the first of our freedoms is requited. An immediate uprising! We would not stand for one of our most precious amendments and, with support of the military, rebel against the government.

Lets consider the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment was added to the Bill of Rights for several reasons, to protect and defend the nation from outside invasion; to deal with an abusive and tyrannical government; and for the protection of family. We know and understand these reasons. Regardless of advances of technology the 2nd Amendment has shown its need. The French Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War and the Indian Wars were partially fought with civilians and their firearms. Then only difference between then and now is the mobilization of a full-time national army. Still the need was there for a man to protect himself and his family from outlaws and the occasional indian raid. Firearms were vital to the provisioning of meat. The importance of 2nd Amendment is vital when you consider practical application of firearms.

We would not allow our Bill of Rights, our freedoms, to be so abridged. What about the 2nd Amendment? Why is there such an idea of repealing it so desirable? All of the Bill of Rights have equal merit including the 2nd Amendment.