What Americans Can Be Thankful For:

It might be a good idea, as part of every Independence Day July 4th celebration to read a summary of the Bill of Rights. These first ten amendments to the Constitution specify particular freedoms which we enjoy as American citizens.

There are other amendments to the Constitution, but the Bill of Rights is a wonderful starting point for a discussion of what we Americans are thankful for as we celebrate our national holidays and remember our history.

Here online I am thankful that I can express my personal beliefs, criticize freely the actions of my governments at the local, state, and federal levels, support candidates for public office, urge support for favorite causes, and discuss spiritual ideas, articles by other writers from newspapers, magazines, and other media. I am also thankful that I can meet together with other Americans to discuss ideas for better government, and that we have a right to petition those governments to hear our grievances and correct actions which meet with our disapproval.

I am thankful that I can legally own a firearm to protect myself and my family, and if need be, to use it to come to the defense of my community along with others in a well-regulated militia.

I am thankful also, that the government is not allowed to station military personnel in my home without my permission, and that there is a tradition that my home is my castle and the authorities cannot enter or seize my property without proper legal authority permitted by the Constitution.

I am thankful that in America we live by the Rule of Law and that I cannot be forced to make myself appear to be a criminal, or to be tried more than once for a crime I have earlier been found innocent of.

I am thankful that should someone accuse me of a crime or error, I have a right to a speedy public trial by a jury of my peers in any civil case.

I am thankful that I have a right to give a reasonable assurance that I will appear for any such trial, and that even if I should be found guilty of any wrong doing I will be punished fairly and within the law.

I am thankful that I can live where I choose to live, in any state or territory, and that I can choose to live there based on state and local laws I prefer to live up to.

And, lastly I. am thankful that Congress and the President cannot just make up laws affecting where I live and how I live, unless the Constitution specifically gave Congress and the President those powers as affirmed by the Supreme Court.

Those are the essentials of the Bill of Rights which I am thankful for this 4th of July.

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© 2012 Demas W. Jasper All rights reserved.