The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America
When our forefathers penned the Constitution of the United States of America in 1787, they authored an amazing document. They had the foresight to realize that this new nation would grow, and it’s needs would change. In the words of Thomas Jefferson:
“I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.”
So, on December 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified containing the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution which guarantees all people of this Nation, essential rights and civil liberties, such as the right to free speech and the right to bear arms, as well as reserving specific rights to the People and the states.
The U.S. Constitution identifies three divisions of responsibility and power. Each division providing checks and balance for the other divisions. And whether you believe it or not, the People are an important part of the checks and balance established by the Constitution.
Over the years, the People of this Nation have lost sight of their rights and responsibilities when it comes to Government. We have settled into a comfortable state of ignorance, when it applies to current affairs. We’ve adopted a “no questions asked” mantra, believing that all we can do is vote for a Representative, Congressperson, or President. And there are Americans that do not even vote. I’ve heard the claim “It really doesn’t matter” or “My vote doesn’t make a difference.” Americans have been lulled into complacency, believing they are at the bottom of the pyramid, just a minor cog in the machine, and are accepting or ignoring anything the Government does as out of their control.
I would like to disagree.
Earlier in this article I mentioned that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights guarantees essential rights and civil liberties to even the People? Let’s look into that further.
The First Amendment
The First Amendment protects six basic freedoms including the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Yes. I did not make that up. There is an additional, seldom heard phrase at the end of the First Amendment that says the People can petition the Government to address complaints and resolve problems.
What powers does the U.S. Constitution give the Federal Government?
The Federal Government is divided into three branches. The Legislative Branch, the law makers, is Congress. It is comprised of the House of Representatives and Senate and is responsible for many things with regards to running the country, big picture items. There are eighteen powers that are explicitly provided to them. The Executive Branch, the law enforcers, is comprised of the president, vice president, Cabinet, and most federal agencies. Their main powers revolve around enforcing the laws and representing the country on the national stage. The Judicial Branch consists of the Supreme Court and other courts. The Supreme Court’s main job is to decide if laws are constitutional. Nowhere does it say that the Federal Government has the power or the right to squelch or impede the People’s right to petition the Government.
What power does the U.S. Constitution give the State Government?
The Tenth Amendment further clarifies that the any powers not delegated to the Federal Government or restricted from the states are reserved to the states respectively, or to the People. In other words, states have all powers not granted to the federal Government by the Constitution. So, in most situations, State Government has power over what is happening within their state. I checked here too and could not find anything stating the State Government has the power or the right to squelch or impede the People’s right to petition the Government.
What power does the U.S. Constitution give the People?
The first three words of the U.S. Constitution states: “We the People”. These words declare that the U.S. Constitution derives its power not from a king, a President, or a Congress, but from the People themselves. The Constitution outlines how the authority of the Government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through the Representatives the People have elected, and the People are the source of all political power. Benjamin Franklin wrote,
“In free Governments, the rulers are the servants and the People their superiors and sovereigns”.
So, in review, I found that the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights confirms that the Government may not prohibit the right of the American people to petition the Government for a resolution to problems or airing of concerns. They can exercise this right without fear of punishment, reprisal or restriction. This right to petition any level of Government to correct a problem or right a wrong and the government’s obligation to negotiate a resolution, is a key factor in a Democratic form of Government.
How do I Petition the Government?
Oh, my goodness, where do I begin?
First of all, I would request you take a look around, beyond your bubble. Open your eyes to what is currently going on around you. Is there something happening on a local, state or federal level that just isn’t right? Are they making silly laws, miss-using funds, over-reaching their powers? Are they doing what you elected them to do?
- Make a call
- Make an appointment
- Send a letter
- Send an email
- Contact them through social media
- Start a petition
- Join a likeminded group
- Spread the news
The main point I’m trying to share, is the Government, on all levels, works for you! You hired them. You pay them. They are sworn to work on behalf of the People and for the benefit of the People. Be a good boss! Remind them what their job is and what you want done. If you see something that is wrong, broken, miss-used or needs updating, let them know. Send them a report card. Give them an employee review! Provide them with the information they need to improve.
We are moving into a “use it or lose it” era. I can’t help but think of the song lyrics, “…these times they are a changing…” Constitutional rights in general and the equitable division of Constitutional rights by our government is in jeopardy. The current administration has already taken down a website that provided easy access to petition the Federal Government. The People weren’t using it, so down it came. Did you know about the website? Did you know you had a constitutional right to petition the Government and it was their sworn responsibility to speak with you? If that right had disappeared, would you have noticed?
As of December 2021, there were an estimated 332 million people in the United States. The population of my home state, Virginia, as of December 2021 was 8.67 million. If two or three million people use their right and petition the Government, in comparison to the total population, the Government can rationalize no one objects and do what they want! What if…. That line of thought can then be used as a president to start voiding every constitutional right that a certain percentage of the nation does not exercise.
There are some First Amendment rights that have already been pushed to the very edge, and in some cases over the guidelines of the Constitution. Could we be on the verge of losing:
- The right to bear arms
- Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures
- The right to a public and speedy trial
- Protection from cruel and unusual punishment
- The right to vote
Did you know there is currently a public outcry to end the National Emergency declared March 13, 2020? Do you care about Government over-reach and whitling away of our freedoms? Did you know there is also active legislature on the state level to request a National Convention of States under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, proposing an amendment to the Constitution proposing fiscal restraints on the Federal Government? This would include term limits on Congress. Can you support this? Let your state legislatures know how you would like them to vote.
“We the People” of the United States of America are privileged and blessed to live in a Democracy. Our Constitution tells us that the source of this nations power is from the People and that the Constitution is the law of the land. It is this writers opinion, the Constitution is in jeopardy. It has been under attack for a while now by individuals blinded by their own agendas, forgetting they are working on behalf of the People.
Please pay attention. Please research, You can use your First Amendment rights to petition the Government to protect yours and your family’s rights, the rights provided to you by the document this nation was founded on. The document that provides the framework of how Government works for you. Please protect the Constitution, the law of the land, from becoming just another historical document. I like being able to choose who I vote for. I like being able to choose if I would like to own a gun. I like to know that if I live within the laws, I will not be persecuted based on my opinions. I like being able to reach out to my elected officials and voice my concerns. I like living in a Democracy. How about you?
nol2me 