The panicked battle cry of Human Rights is permeating our culture. Legislation is enacted, battle lines are drawn and organizations are formed. Our country is rife with purported Human Rights violations, just ask the Rainbow Coalition. We are told that we need more laws, stiffer consequences. But really, its not human rights those folks are talking about at all, but about lifestyle choices. And lifestyle choices should have no legal protections. By making an issue of legislating lifestyle, these people are drawing attention away from the real Human Rights issues.
We do have a genuine "Human Rights" emergency in this country. We can't write or say what is on our mind without the fear of reprisal. We can't defend ourselves or our families against evil men with criminal intent. Our phones, cars and property are no longer protected from over-reaching government.
As I sat thinking about the state of our Human Rights, I realized that we do have a document or two in place that specifically deals with these rights. They are old but they seem to be well written and perhaps, if we implemented them in their entirety, we might soon put an end to all of our Human Rights infractions. If these documents were not only implemented, but embraced by lawmaker and citizen alike, our country could, possibly, become a beacon of hope for all of humanity.
Here are just a few excerpts - you may wish to read the complete documents for yourselves.
1) We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
2) That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed-
3) That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
These distinctive "Human Rights" principles came from a little known document called "The Declaration of Independence". Who knew?
And these, from an even lesser known source (I really had to do some digging to find these jewels!):
1) 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.
2) 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.
3) 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.
4) 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.
5) 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.
6) 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.
7) 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 reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
8) Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
9) The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
10) 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.
If this isn't the finest "Human Rights" document ever written (other than the Bible itself), I don't know what is. To think that we have these documents just sitting in our archives while our government disregards them is a grievance of epic proportions.
This is our heritage. Our very own Constitution is the original "Human Rights for Dummies". It is time for us to get down to business. We need to quit paying lip service to these precious pieces of history and start living by them. We are the people!
Great post... we totally agree. My husband has been teaching our youngers and the grandchildren one a week for the last few weeks...how sad folks are so willing to toss it by the way side!
ReplyDeleteThere is a free online class being offered by Hillsdale College - Constitution 101: "The History and Meaning of the Constitution. It begins next Monday, the 20th. You do have to sign up ahead of time, but it should be a great resource for homeschoolers (or anyone else!) who wants to learn more about the Constitution. You can find it by going to Hilldale College's website.
ReplyDelete1) We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
ReplyDeleteSurprising how often that one's cast by the wayside in favor of legislation and constitutional amendments to try and decide what people "are more equal than others" to quote Orwell.
I think there are some people waking up again to the importance of these documents and the truths that they contain- unfortunately there are many more that would love to completely ignore them. This year I have been working on teaching my kids about the constitution and what is really in it and what it means. I am learning more in the process as well and I am loving it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how many generations deep we are into "forgetting" these things. There is a lot of "JUNK" being taught in our schools and has been getting worse over the years. My middle daughter is wanting to be a history teacher. I pray she takes special interest in the Constitution! Thanks for shareing and making us all think with your great posts!
ReplyDeleteAmein!
ReplyDeleteGo read the list of charges against King George III in the Declaration of Independence and compare that list with what we are subjected to today.
ReplyDeleteSimilar?
Terry
Florida
PS. I was listening to El Rushbo earlier this week and he pointed out that the right to have a gun was in the Constitution, therefore the government is obligated to buy each of us a gun.
I thought it was a good idea. :)
And, yet, we keep electing the same anti-America politicians over and over again. When we decide to vote against the "lesser of two evils" we still get evil!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen will we American's learn to really listen, REALLY listen to the words they say - BEFORE we elect them - (and what's behind their words). When will American's take the time to do their due diligence and research what'salready on record - the voting track record of who we elect. When will American's stop listening at smarmy, surface level as they cheer wildly, not even hearing what is being said. When will we American's look beyond the cute tie, handsome face; color of skin. When will American's understand that CHARACTER; history; values DO MATTER.
We have a big responsiblilty for our country and our Constitution being
de-based and destroyed also. We are not innocent. America has lots of blood on her hands. God judges the church first and we are found greatly wanting.
We have allowed - and given over to our our schools - the responsibility to teach the socialist curriculum and indoctrinate our children when the first responsibility as parents is teaching our own children. When was the last time any parent really took the time to study and comment on school curriculum of their children, not to mention volunteering in their child's classroom; going to school board meetings for better teaching and teachers I(instead of learning 30 years later that there is a - or many- child molester aomng them as in California, Pennsylvania, etc.)
Every generation has been diluted into this "group think", socialist agenda. What will become of the future generations as we get more and more de-based and as parents turn more and more responsibility for rearing their children to others? Easy to see bible proplecy coming true - lovers of self, brash, arrogant, etc. Romans 1.
We Amnerican's have allowed rogue judges to make laws over the wishes of the voters. We have abdicated our own God-given rights and bear a responsibilit also.
thank you for this post, Enola. My family and I are currently enrolled in the constitution class from Hillsdale College. My 11 yo is just eating this up. My 9 yo was writing out the amendments tonight, while my 6 yo and 4 yo listen in, too. We are all learning a lot!
ReplyDeleteHeather