The Structure of the Bill of Rights

I recognize that the Constitution is well on its way to being just a piece of paper. I further recognize that power exists and will be exercised top down (that’s why I’m a reactionary monarchist).

But I’m going to leave that aside for a moment to admire how the Bill of Rights is structured.

The Bill of Rights (for non-Americans, the first 10 Amendments to the US Constitution) enshrines fundamental rights of individual Americans. The Bill of Rights does not grant rights; it recognizes those rights as granted by God. Since those rights are not granted by Government, they cannot legitimately be repealed by government. They are structured in a very interesting way. Beginning with the 1st Amendment and continuing to the 9th Amendment, each subsequent Article recognizes expanding concentric circles of individual Liberty against Tyranny. Note: individual Liberty, not “human rights”, group rights, distributive “justice” or anything else. The 10th Amendment recognizes that the States and People retain all rights not given to the federal government by the Constitution.

The 1st Amendment comes first for a reason: the freedom of religion, association, speech, conscience, etc. are the core elements of individual sovereignty. How we exercise these rights define who we are as individual.

1st Amendment: 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.

Tyranny: we will make decisions of conscience, we know best.

2nd Amendment: 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.

Tyranny: we’ll get around that with our army. We’ll occupy your homes and neighborhoods.

3rd Amendment: 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.

Tyranny: in that case, we will send the police into your home, we’ll find something and get you on that.

4th Amendment: 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.

Tyranny: then we’ll charge you and beat a confession out of you while you’re in jail awaiting trial.

5th Amendment: 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 offence 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.

Tyranny: OK, we’ll rig the trial and get you that way. If you ever get to trial. You’ll see!

6th Amendment: 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 defence.

Tyranny: we’ll take your property by forfeiture. You can’t win!

7th Amendment: 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 re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Tyranny: Are you sure it’s worth the risk? If you’re convicted, you’ll face years of torture.

8th Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Tyranny: this Bill of Rights is the source of your rights. You have no others.

9th Amendment: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Tyranny: the Federal government has limitless power.

10th Amendment: 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.

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Notice how many of these Articles the gun-grabbers are seeking to restrict, beginning with the 1st Amendment (8Chan, etc.) and continuing all the way down the list.