Contract with America (before Gingrich!) By Steve Osborn

[Demeter]

OpEdNews.com

Original Content at http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_stephen__061125_contract_with_americ.htm


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November 26, 2006

Contract with America

By Steve Osborn

THE American People signed a contract. An agreement between the Governed and the Government. It is called the Constitution of the United States. The first ten amendments to that constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. As Justice Hugo Black stated, "It is my belief that there are absolutes in our Bill of Rights, and that they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant and meant their prohibitions to be 'absolutes.'"

Think about it:

Without the First Amendment, newspapers could only print the "party line" or be suppressed. Books and plays would be censored or banned. We might have to attend the State Authorized Religion, or be forbidden to attend any other form of worship, or any worship at all. We would have no right of public assembly or protest, nor could we petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Without the Second Amendment, we would be a completely disarmed populace, at the mercy of government troops or security forces.

Without the Third Amendment, the government could quarter troops in your home without your consent.

Without the Fourth Amendment, the government's security force or military could search your home at will, without a warrant, confiscate your papers and property, monitor your communications and phone conversations without your ever knowing about it.

Without the Fifth Amendment, you could be picked up, your property confiscated, you could be held incommunicado for an indefinite time without legal counsel and could be forced to testify against yourself.

Without the Sixth Amendment, you could be held for an indefinite period, without charge, and without being told why you're being held. Your trial, if any, could be held in secret without your being able to confront your accusers or examining any evidence, nor would you have the right to legal counsel.

Without the Seventh Amendment, in civil suits, you would not have the right of trial by jury.

Without the Eighth Amendment, there would be no limit on the amount of bail set or fines imposed, and any cruel punishment could be meted out, even death by torture.

Without the Ninth Amendment, any rights not spelled out would be forfeit to the government.

Without the Tenth Amendment, the People of the United States would have no powers reserved to themselves, it would all lie with the State.

Isn't it tragic that the Congress gave to the Executive, through misguided PATRIOTism, an ACT that would unconstitutionally repeal those rights guaranteed by the Constitution and turn it all over to Homeland Security?

...We must hold Congress to the Contract that We the People made with them over two centuries ago, restore the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, intact and functioning to the halls of government, and return to using them for the rule and guide of our actions.



Authors Bio: Biobyte: Stephen M. Osborn is a freelance writer living on Camano Island in the Pacific Northwest. He is a columnist for the Populist Party website and has had a number of articles published internationally. He is an "Atomic Vet." (Operation Redwing, Bikini Atoll 1956, ) who has been very active working and writing for nuclear disarmament and world peace. He is a retired Fire Battalion Chief, lifelong sailor, writer, poet, philosopher, historian and former newspaper columnist. Much of his antiwar poetry may be found on the poetsagainstthewar.org site.

[benEzra]

1. Excellent. (n/t)