It seems these two words should be interchangeable but they really are not. A group of men gathered in Philadelphia, PA, in the late 1700s to draft a Constitution for the United States that shows just how Freedom and Liberty go hand in hand.
We Hold These Truths
The resulting document brought clarity and structure to our new society by describing Freedom and Liberty as rights of citizens, enumerating 10 important rights applicable to each individual. Simply put, the Bill of Rights is an extension of the Constitution of the United States giving us ten amendments that spell out both Freedom and Liberty as “rights” within our law.
It is 2016 and in the course of daily life and in the news you see the original 10 Amendments being diluted or ignored causing our Freedom and Liberty to be jeopardized.
Time for a Bill of Rights 101!
- Amendment 1: Freedom of Religion. Congress cannot make any law concerning the establishment of a religion or put limits removing freedoms of speech, press or assembly.
- Amendment 2: Right to Bear Arms. A military defense is critical to secure the country and allows citizens to bear arms and protect themselves.
- Amendment 3: Protection Against Force. Forcible shelter of soldiers in a private home is unlawful unless the homeowner gives consent and then, only under conditions within the law.
- Amendment 4: Right to Privacy. Citizens have a right to privacy in their own home, their own skin, their own private papers and items of ownership. Protection exists against unreasonable search and seizure without a search warrant that contains probable cause and describes confines of a search including a particular person or items under siege.
- Amendment 5: Protection Against Incrimination. No person can incriminate himself by admitting to a serious criminal offense except when resulting from a Grand Jury indictment or a case concerning military matters or homeland safety. No one comes to trial more than once for any crime jeopardizing life or limb especially causing him to become a witness against himself. No confiscation of private property for public use occurs unless the owner receives due, fair compensation first.
- Amendment 6: Right to a Speedy Trial. Every person subject to criminal prosecution must receive a fair, speedy trial with an impartial jury. A person has the right to representation by counsel and the right to face accusers.
- Amendment 7: Right to Place Suit. Lawful suit for damages in excess of $20 with a fair trial by jury and a verdict that stands in any U. S. courtroom.
- Amendment 8: Protection of Human Rights. Imposition of excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishment is against the law.
- Amendment 9: Protection of Constitutional Rights. Constitutional rights do not diminish the existence of other rights.
- Amendment 10: States’ Rights. The Constitution does not bestow or remove other rights. Most are state responsibility under advisement from citizens.
These original ten amendments brought Freedom and Liberty together as citizen “rights” in the Constitution. The Bill of Rights passed through Congress on 25 September 1789 and ratification by all states was complete on 15 December 1791. Since that time there have been more amendments, the last update to occur was Amendment 27 on 7 May 1992.
So while our “rights” seem to be constantly evolving, I’m not confident that the current trends are in line with what our Founders worked so hard to avoid and protect us from.
That is why I strongly believe it is so important to write about these topics and in hopes that you share them with others so we can educate those who are unaware of (or sadly have never been taught about) the principles of our Country’s founding.
And that these principles are not open to interpretation or negotiation.
At *your* service,