Constitution

The following is most important! We Americans formed a government of the people, for the people in 1787 under our Constitution. This Government has three branches which counter check each other to stop any one group from gaining too much power.

The Bill of Rights which are the first ten ammendments to the Constitution were approved in 1791 to give us specific freedoms. First Amendment guarantees the freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, of assembly, and of petition to the government for redress of grievances. Second Amendment gives the right to bear arms openly, Third Amendment freedom from quartering soldiers in a house without owner's consent Fourth Amendment protects people against unreasonable search and seizure. No searches without warrant or probable cause. This is also about privacy that people supposed to be entitled to have their homes and personal effects private and free from searches. Fifth Amendment no person shall be held for "a capital or otherwise infamous crime" without indictment, be twice put in "jeopardy of life or limb" for the same offense, be compelled to testify against himself, or "be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law." It also prohibits government from taking private property without "just compensation," Sixth Amendment guarantees the right of speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in all criminal proceedings and the right to have legal counsel for the accused and guarantees that the accused may require witnesses to attend the trial and testify in the presence of the accused. It also guarantees the accused a right to know the charges against him. Seventh Amendment guarantees right of trial by jury in almost all civil cases. Eighth Amendment. Excessive bail, fines "cruel and unusual" punishment prohibited. Note that today there are people working to take away many of your rights. We need to be alert to these threats and be prepared to defend our freedoms.