Been a long while since my last post

I haven't made a post in a long time. Where has the time gone.... I don't know, but nothing has changed politically or economically in the past year. Anything that has been passed has been negative from both sides of the aisle. The republicans had a great shot to actually reign in the spending and the idiots did not hold their line. They allowed for an increase in our debt ceiling of 2 trillion dollars short term in exchange for 1 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years. This happens to be the worst move our government could make. We are in the hole 14 trillion dollars and increasing at a pace of 1.5 trillion per year under Obama... what is a 1 trillion dollar cut over 10 years do?????? 100 billion barely nicks our current track. We need to cut spending by a trillion a year not 100 billion. Unless we do that within 2 years we will default on our "mortgage" payment or print up a bunch of funny money either way our dollar value drops in real terms meaning we will be spending a lot more for bread, computers, cars, etc... I don't care what side of the aisle anyone is on nobody wants to be poor and nobody wants to have their hard earned work stolen from them and given to someone else. The more debt our country gets into the more that is stolen from those who save and do things right.

I do not think anyone can say with a straight face that Bush was a good president. I think he was one of the top 5 worst. He issue was he expanded government way too much, got us into two wars (at least Iraq being a needless mistake) and got us into too much debt. Anyone want to argue that? Now we have Obama who ran on change and the only change he delivered was an increase in the crappy policies that Bush had in place. People talk about Bush trashing the balanced budget that Clinton left (under a republican congress) and then Bush's last two years in office we noticed a decrease in deficit from 400 billion (410 billion negative swing) to 200 billion (under a democratic congress a 200 billion positive swing). Now Obama with a democratic congress took that 200 billion deficit and made it 1.5 trillion for a 1.3 trillion negative swing two years in a row. Republicans took the house and the deficit this year has decreased by 300-400 billion. The numbers don't lie put in a president of one party and elect someone else of another party for congress to have at least a shred of a check and balance. Might I also add that in addition to continuing Bush's two wars Obama started another in Libya. Iraq that he promised we would be out of within 18 months and he replaced 40000 US troops with 50000 contractors paying them insanely more than he was our troops. What does that message say to our troops that fight for our freedoms? We actually have more people there now then before he took office.

Wouldn't it be nice to actually move away from fascism finally and become a republic again? Wouldn't it be nice to have a money system that does not allow for 14 trillion in debt made possible by selling debt to other countries and printing phony money. What does money now represent? What does our banking system represent? Our monetary system is a complete and total scam. A few huge bankers own the federal reserve who have self serving interests and not the interest of our government or American citizens. By the law of the land which is the United States Constitution our Federal government is supposed to be the only issuer of money in the form of silver and gold tender. That is the law. In 1913 when the Federal Reserve was created that went against the Constitution and the Courts should have deemed that act unconstitutional. If we never had the federal reserve in place the income tax they instituted in 1920 would never have come into play the way that it had and Nixon would have never been able to come off of the gold standard and we would not have 14 trillion dollars of debt created since he did so in the 1970s. So to come full circle on this if the Federal Reserve was not put into place people would have had a stable currency that would not have lost 95% of its purchasing power, several of the wars we had would not have occurred and we would see more of what we earn in our paychecks without taxes taken from them. Imagine what you could do with getting all of your earned income. You would not only be able to pay your bills, but maybe be able to actually help others.

Let me know your thoughts.

Part of an email.

Obama is the symbol of a creeping liberalism that has infected our society like a cancer for the last 100 years. Just as Hitler is the face of fascism, Obama will go down in history as the face of unchecked liberalism. The cancer metastasized to the point where it could no longer be ignored.

Average Americans who have quietly gone about their lives, earning a paycheck, contributing to their favorite charities, going to high school football games on Friday night, spending their weekends at the beach or on hunting trips ? they've gotten off the fence. They've woken up. There is a level of political activism in this country that we haven't seen since the American Revolution, and Barack Obama has been the catalyst that has sparked a restructuring of the American political and social consciousness.

Think of the crap we've slowly learned to tolerate over the past 50 years as liberalism sought to re-structure the America that was the symbol of freedom and liberty to all the people of the world. Immigration laws were ignored on the basis of compassion. Welfare policies encouraged irresponsibility, the fracturing of families, and a cycle of generations of dependency. Debt was regarded as a tonic to lubricate the economy. Our children left school having been taught that they are exceptional and special, while great numbers of them cannot perform basic functions of mathematics and literacy. Legislators decided that people could not be trusted to defend their own homes, and stripped citizens of their rights to own firearms. Productive members of society have been penalized with a heavy burden of taxes in order to support legions of do-nothings who loll around, reveling in their addictions, obesity, indolence, ignorance and ?disabilities.? Criminals have been arrested and re-arrested, coddled and set free to pillage the citizenry yet again. Lawyers routinely extort fortunes from doctors, contractors and business people with dubious torts.

We slowly learned to tolerate these outrages, shaking our heads in disbelief, and we went on with our lives.

But Barack Obama has ripped the lid off a seething cauldron of dissatisfaction and unrest.

My post on Obamacare.

Listen, I hate both the republicans and democrats, all I see is bickering back and forth with the same comments on both sides. Most are valid points on both sides of the aisle slandering the other. There is right, left and correct. I have choose correct. The republicans cut taxes and allow loopholes for the rich, they spend like sailors, infringe on our civil liberties just as much as the democrats do. Now for the democrats, they want to raise taxes, they want to take away your liberties, they want you poor so you have to rely on them for GOVERNMENT care, welfare etc. Lets not get this twisted, I hear oh the democrats have less deficit, realize it was a republican majority in both house and senate that passed the budget not Clinton. Bush got in and had a free ticket and over spent it. The democrat majority comes in and the deficit goes down slightly at the end of Bush's term. Obama comes in gets his free ticket with his democrat majority and outspent Bush's 8 years of deficit in only 2 years of budget, so don't even try to blame Bush as dumb as he is for what Obama is doing now. The only reason for a surplus or reduction in deficit has been a somewhat check and balance with having a congress majority of one party and president of the opposite party. And guess what they all have over spent. We are now 12 trillion dollars in debt. Most of that bill coming since Bush 1 with a democrat controlled congress. We cannot afford this bill, we cannot afford any bill, we cannot afford these wars and we cannot afford welfare of any kind. We are BROKE. You want to talk about healthcare in Canada ok lets talk about it. Here is why it won't work here. They have 36 million people in their entire country all paying 55+% tax and we have 80-100 million people on welfare, 19% of adults do not only not pay tax, but are actually paid by our tax dollars. so that leaves 81% of the people to pay those 19% money and then now pay for their healthcare as well. The only cost cut in the entire bill is that people over the age of 55 who are terminal will not get treatment and allowed to die, heck if we just added that one thing into law it would save the current system almost 1 trillion dollars and remove almost 6 million people off of that pre existing do not insure list. Our government spends 40+% of our 14 trillion dollar gdp how is adding another trillion dollars going to help our country? How is this going to create 1 job? Nobody will have a job in 4 years if this goes through because like Massachusetts where this was already passed, healthcare costs have raised more than the national average every single year since its inception. Now that said, in Mass the commissions have been cut to the brokers of the insurance policies down to almost nothing and it has still raised more than anywhere else, now tell me how you think this will end with the precedent already set? At what point will people get Reagan was right government is not the solution it is the problem. If companies did not have 36% tax burden maybe they could hire more people? Don't you think the small business owner could hire that extra part timer, or make that part timer into full time? When will the liberals learn that socialism does not work (and do not try to deny this is a social program, because it is)? When will republicans learn that eroding our liberties while claiming it is fighting for freedom an oxymoronic message (how can the patriot act and stupid wars fighting the wrong people helping freedom, no the patriot act invaded our freedoms and BUSH was the tyranny that needed to be removed)? We would be better today had the government cut spending five+ years ago and cut taxes across the board. Put a 15% tax on everyone and no hand outs. Those who want to say what about the poor, the 21% decrease in taxes on businesses would allow them to hire ALL of the poor and have virtually 0% unemployment. I am just going to give an example say company x is doing 5 billion in sales, makes 1 billion in profit that taxed at 36% is 360 million in taxes, now if that is 15% it is only 150 million that 210 million in difference say the execs take 100 million (corrupt I know), 110 million that means 2444 hires at $45,000 each. The top 500 companies means 1.22 million people back to work, equaled in other large business, equaled in medium businesses, and small business that number is doubled to 2.44 million so overall that is 6.11 million or almost all the lost jobs. That is not even taking into account how many companies would be lured here from other countries as well as capital.

A question posed that should not be backed away from.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100211/ap_on_el_gu/us_texas_governor_s_race_sept11

A fellow right leaning (republican even) person has finally questions 9/11. I almost fell off my chair. It is about time someone questioned it. Even if she did back down it still put the question for people to think about. It will take more like her, but with a spine to stand behind her words to get the real truth out no matter what it really is.

My belief is that what the media and government tells us upon that fateful day was nothing short of a lie. Most things they said either does not make sense at all, don't add up or is a straight lie. I am not saying I believe the government was or was not involved, I am only stating I believe they have lied about the events.

On my own study of the issue I would like to point out to just a few key factors and facts. Fact 1 the hole in the pentagon was not in accordance with the hole that would be made by a 747 in fact the hole was almost 1/2 the size it should have been and that is not including the engines which had no holes or any remains to be found. Fact 2, if the planes at the world trade center burned fuel for hours, how come the plane at the pentagon did not? In fact there were books and wood desks unharmed at the entry point of the hole in the building and many camera views to support this. Fact 3, there was several videos of this act at the pentagon and not one has been released. Fact 4, The plane in PA that the people supposedly took over and brought down, has been on 2 different accounts by donald rumsfeld been referred to as the plane shot down. The parts of the plane were spread over miles not in a smaller area of a couple hundred yards indicating a crash, the break down of the plane indicates that it was shot down. If the plane was indeed taken back, why was it shot down? Fact 5, If the two world trade center buildings were crashed into, how did building 7 (home of FBI/CIA among other federal homes) that was not hit, collapse as free fall speed? Why would owner Larry Silverstein indicate that the build was to be pulled and the media video taped the building stating it was collapsing then the video of the building did not begin to collapse until several seconds later, collapsing inwards like a demolition and not from fire burning in one corner of the building, in which is should have collapsed to it's side and not inward. Fact 6, how would jet fuel cause steel to melt and pour out of the building's side like we seen? Answer is it can't. Thermite however could, but that would have had to have been planted either in the plane or in the building prior to the 9/11 events. Unknown facts, there was recovery of several of the black boxes and video's that have been taken into custody by the government and not released to the public, my question is why? If their statements are correct it will end the questions, if they are not truthful well that is a whole new can of worms.

I just want the truth and it does not appear that we are getting it. Any who want to challenge my statements and research I ask that you research on your own and come with facts not attacks with no backing. I think the more you look at the facts the more you will agree we have not been told the truth. The Patriot Act (which was written prior to the events of 9/11) for a fact would not have been passed without those events and should be repealed promptly.

Please demand answers from the government.

Banker/government corruption

http://www.thinkbigworksmall.com/mypage/player/tbws/23088/1111064

Thanks Steve

How does this add up.

Only in liberals mind does this work. I was thinking about Obama's speech the other day, yeah I know it has been a while since, but think about this. If Obama's number was correct and 2 million jobs were saved by the stimulus I say wow that sucks. If 2 million jobs were created or saved and the stimulus was over 800 billion dollars that costs over $400,000 per job saved. Most of which were part time or temporary work. Any idiot can see government spending does not work. Next, if I get this backwards logic on the economy that we have job losses yet there was a decrease in unemployment? How is that possible? Can anybody please explain this to me, because not only does it not make sense, I believe it is a crock, but I welcome any rational discussion.

PLEASE take 9 minutes to view this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZU0c8DAIU4&feature=related

This was the man an HONEST speech with HONEST and proper answers.

quick note

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_britain_secret_castle

This is the type of junk over government gets you.

Enough already

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/01/white.house.budget/index.html?hpt=T1

3.8 trillion. Let me repeat that 3.8 trillion dollars. We are in a recession borderline depression and our government wants to spend 3.8 trillion dollars. If our GDP is 14 trillion and possibly shrinking that means our government is spending over 27 percent of the our national GDP. That does not even include state spending which could add another 7 to 10 percent. How in this free land of opportunity is our country supposed to prosper if our government spends almost 40% of our money? 19% of households do not pay taxes. How can 41% (or low 40’s) of households support 40% (or high 30’s) with 19% doing nothing? This is an unsustainable endeavor that will end badly for all parties involved. How was it possible for George Bush to spend unprecedented amounts of money with a republican controlled congress? Now his and the conviction less republicans actions have lead to more and more government intervention and spending. The progress of freedom is being drained by the actions of the leaders of this great country and they stand in the way of the American people from keeping it that way. You cannot socialize our problems away. You cannot tax our problems away. You cannot spend our problems away. You can however reduce government spending, and taxation to make some of our economic problems go away. If the private sector was taxed less than 37% maybe they would be able to hire American workers instead of contracting jobs in China for cheaper labor and more tax friendly 25%. A reduction of spending of 18% and a tax reduction of 12% will close the deficit and put our employers on a more level playing field with our Chinese counterparts. Production of American products is the ONLY way out of our current economic mess. No bailout to the banks or auto industry would have as big of an effect on the economy as lowering government spending and taxes. Bush has paved a yellow brick road for Obama to tax more, war more, spend more, and bail out their friends in high places with our money. It is time us as Americans spoke up and followed Reagan and his mantra that Government is not the solution, but the problem itself. We need a judicial system that will have the testicular fortitude to stand up to our government and deem laws unconstitutional when they indeed are. We need our government to vote on individual laws are on the agenda and not 2000 pages of pork that help special interests. We need a president who is held to a high standard who cherishes the constitution and the rights of individuals and not play Robin Hood. We need citizens who work hard for their own share of the pie and get to keep their fair share. We need citizens who will step up and take a slightly smaller bonus to do the right thing and employee a deserving individual for a much needed job. It is time we reward those who deserve it and not those who do not. No more handouts to anyone it is not the governments right to do such things. Everyone shall work for their own share of the pie and pay the government for the holding of the government itself, currency in the form of gold and silver, national defense and that is it as stated in the constitution. There will be no more payments to those in need by the government. That will be done by the citizens and churches as intended by our constitution. It is time that our country showed the rest of the world how it is truly done the right and American way once again. It is time we showed the world how to be instead of the United States moving to the social ways of the world below our standard of living. We enrich all through hard work allowing for Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest to occur. Those who are strong, smart and work hard will prosper while those who are not will fall by the wayside. We are granted life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The socialism proposed removes all three of these constitutional rights. Abortion is against the right to life. Unprecedented taxation and removal of many of the bill of rights are against liberty and the pursuit of happiness is hindered when money that I work hard for can be taken from me and given to someone who doesn’t try, to a bank who has bad business practices or to a no bid contract given to some government official who received some contribution money from a company. I am done being mad and upset of the improper use and unconstitutional authority over the past 9 years that our government had no right to claim. The gloves have come off and I will fight the good fight against those who overstep their boundaries. I have written my elected officials and I will continue to do so. I will make my voice heard and will support any candidate who supports freedom and the constitution. I pray against a day where a second revolution has to happen, but if needed I will be there, if it needs to be lead. God bless all of us and God bless America.

End the Federal Reserve

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Fed-posts-record-profit-of-apf-231123775.html?x=0

In reading this article reminds me why the constitution was to be followed and when congress was given the duty to regulate currency coined only in gold and silver amongst the states and other nations they passed the duty to a group of collected big bankers in 1913 who control the money of our country and the regulations surrounding them. These bankers allowed themselves to partake in fractional banking which is legally stealing ten times the amount you have. This privately owned corporation owned by banks bailed themselves out while still making a profit through the federal reserve. They charge our government aka the US taxpayers a percent for letting dollars be printed further devaluing the dollar. If congress stayed within the constitution and took this responsibility instead of the far reaching parts of the new deal and healthcare which are not allowed by the constitution maybe those items would cost less for all like they do with everything congress buys costing double and triple what the private sector pays. If we had gold and silver tender as outlined in the constitution we could never run a deficit because it wouldn't be acceptable by other countries. I used to be very mad at China for pegging their currency to ours until I realized why they do. It actually helps us because we owe them so much money it isn't funny and if they floated their money it would double the debt we owe them over night. Instead of 1 trillion we would literally owe them 2 trillion the day after they floated their money. They have a huge stock of Federal Reserve notes and if the federal reserve was abolished our debt would actually lower by a significant percent.

Email to our congress

This should be read and understood by all Americans Democrats,
Republicans, EVERYONE!!

To President Obama and all 535 voting members of the Legislature,

It is now official you are ALL corrupt morons:

The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775.
You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke.

Social Security was established in 1935.
You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke.

Fannie Mae was established in 1938.
You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke.

War on Poverty started in 1964.
You have had 45 years to get it right;
$1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred
to "the poor" and they only want more.

Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965.
You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke.

Freddie Mac was established in 1970.
You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke.

The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence
on foreign oil.  It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of
$24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before.
You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure.

You have FAILED in every "government service" you have shoved down
our throats while overspending our tax dollars
AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED
WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM??

To stay a free nation

I believe our survival as a free nation will be determined by only a few things. 1- Going back to the Constitution and voiding all unconstitutional laws (example any state gun law as it is a federal right in the constitution, as well as federal laws impeding on state rights) 2- returning money to the gold and silver standard as outlined in the constitution and removing the federal reserve who is owned by the big banks and bail themselves out with our money 3- return spending policies to within our means and begin paying down our national debt eventually lowering taxes as the burden is lowered 4- reduce or abolish the nanny state and the police state that has been created these past 35 years further back if you count SS and things like that 5- Stop warring for the sake of warring our young people deserve better than that. 6- Make equal trade among the entire world with the United States (if China won't let us sell products made here hey free and equal, if Japan wants to limit the number of US cars coming into their country, hey we can accommodate that too)

Side notes, if you give up your rights to the government for the "terrorists" then A the terrorists win and B the government are now the terrorists. Healthcare, schooling, are luxuries and everyone should pay their fair share to get those benefits or they should not get them. No more giving to the poor and no more giving to corporations, everyone must earn their fair share through productivity or our country will fold with the deficits we run every month. AKA our yearly deficit is higher than the GDP of all but 7 countries in the entire world.

Judge Andrew Napolitano Natural rights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n2m-X7OIuY

This is a powerful video take the time to watch (this is 3 of 3 so watch them all)

Fair.

From the left I always hear about wanting things to be fair. I have decided to agree with them for a change and see if they want fair. I want fair. I want things in life to be just. So here is my proposal of fair. When it comes to social issues such as healthcare and welfare I ask that my liberal friends instead of having our government pay these things through taxes and corruption, why don't you cut out the middle man and help those in need yourselves as most right leaning people already do through giving money to churches, helping out charities or individuals. In regards to healthcare those who want social medicine can you please pony up the 250k+ and 8-12 years for medical school and then volunteer your time to help others. When it comes to taxes our government typically spends about 2.5 trillion dollars if we paid our fair share than each person would owe 8333 dollars per year therefore a family of 4 would owe 33,333 in taxes. Now when you add in that over 20% of the population pays no federal income tax that rises quite a bit. But hold on there is more that 20% actually gets paid. Take away that pay and yes you guessed it that 8333 per person goes down as .5 trillion is paid out to these 20%. So now paying for 2 trillion people will owe 6666 per person or 26,666 for a family of 4. Do you think people living in poverty would pop out 5 kids if they had to pay 8333 for each if things were fair? Do you think they would pop out 5 kids if they didn't get paid 500,000,000,000 dollars each year from our tax dollars to feed those children and had to pay over 40,000 in taxes each year for their fair share? The left speaks of Darwins theory of survival of the fittest, why don't they allow this to work in the market place. The weak will fall be the wayside at their own lack of ambition this is American the land of opportunity and should not be the land of free hand outs to the lazy and unmotivated. I want fair, why should a business pay 36% tax and a person on the corner get paid to live? If that business was paying a measly communist China rate of 25% then that person would have a job to work instead of the business paying it to the government and allowing that person to stay unproductive. I think we need fair. My question is why does income matter when it comes to fair. Under the socialistic plans the left strives for each should pay their own fair share. I see people created equal, but I don't always see them end up equal. I see a lot of people rise to the occasion no matter where they come from or what their parents did. I see a lot of people come from lots and end up with little. It is time each person be responsible for them self and lower the tax burden on the masses. The social path that we have been following will lead to poverty for all not just the few. Socialism is the sharing of poverty when other people's money runs out.

Government Spending

http://www.downsizedc.org/blog/can-we-afford-more-deficit-spending

Government spending will lead to the demise of the United States unless it is curbed greatly. Over the past 15 years we have seen a republican congress actually be productive having a surplus at the end of the Clinton administration as there was a supposed check and balance between the two. Once Bush came into power that check was removed and the republicans spend money worse than the democrats. The unconstitutional power transferred to the government during his dictatorship was out of whack and took too many civil rights from the American people. Bush spoke of fighting for freedom while taking our freedoms away. Through that horrid time in American history he put in place the Unpatriot Act which was written prior to the events of 9/11. This is corrupt and the Supreme Court should have struck it down as Unconstitutional as it is. During that period Bush installed more and more government agencies that violated American rights at their own expense. At the displeasure of Bush republicans and their failing small government, no deficit values were voted out of government in masses and in with the tax and spend democrats. Taxes on employers are now going up in a time that taxes on employers should be going down to spark hiring, which is possibly worst possible thing that could be done in this economy. The failed Bush policies that cost the American tax payer and the borrowing tons of money from China and Japan for issues such as the wars which are unjust, the bailouts to corporate America, the taking away of American civil rights, are all being multiplied by the Obama administration. All Americans from both parties who were mad at Bush need to evaluate what Obama is doing. He is increasing the bailout to corporate America, increased the wars, decreased civil rights, increased the tax burden, is attempting to add a healthcare bill which will cost middle and upper America 870+ billion dollars and will put mandates on Americans who could face fines or jail time if they do not comply. We are Americans nobody requires us to do anything and it is time to remove 3/4 of the regulations that are unconstitutional. Obama also has gone outside of the government to Copenhagen to offer hundreds of billions and possibly up to 2 trillion American tax dollars to other countries in which they don't even know how to use the money to fight "global warming". Entitlements need to be done away with in all forms to sustain our country in a positive manner or our dollar will be finished and our freedoms will be squashed through inflation. The more socialist we become the more our rights will be taken away, the more impoverished we all become. To help the few the many will be taken down. It is time that the hard working and positive members of society were rewarded and not the unmotivated and unskilled. It is time we spent within our means and removed the hinderances to prosperity.

The bill of rights and their meanings.

The Amendments

The following are the Amendments to the Constitution. The first ten Amendments collectively are commonly known as the Bill of Rights. History

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Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression.Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

This is the separation of Church and State. Congress cannot limit religion or people's exercise of it. This is a one way separation in that Congress cannot limit religion or establish one, this is not a limit on religious ideals being part of congress in it's decisions. Congress cannot limit free speech, press or peaceable assembly. The people shall be allowed to petition.

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Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

The right of each American is to be able to own and operate weapons and that right without limits shall not be infringed. This means state and local gun laws are void by the constitution as we have seen recently in DC.

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Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

The government cannot have soldiers sleep in your house without your consent at any time.

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Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

This is a right that has been given away with the Patriot Act. Therefore the Patriot Act is unconstitutional and should be voided. (This latest bombing on the plane issue alone shows the Patriot Act is useless to begin with and needs to removed) Warrants are needed for search and this includes your car when pulled over for a traffic stop. Speeding is not just cause for a car search.

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Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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 offense 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.

This right protects the innocent. This gives a citizen rights when accused of a crime and cannot be tried twice for the same offense. This also protects property rights for individuals. Land, houses or any other private property cannot be taken away from you by the government without being paid fair market value for it.

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Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

This law allows for a citizen to have a timely trial if accused of a crime. The accused member has the right to have assistance by Counsel in obtaining witnesses and to confront those who are accusing the citizen of the crime. This sets the standard for public trials by jury in the local demographic area.

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Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified12/15/1791.

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.

This amendment separates the Civil cases from the criminal cases.

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Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified12/15/1791.

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

Bail/fines shall not be excessive which is quite a vague expression as well as cruel and unusual punishments. I would consider fines large companies of hundreds of millions of dollars an excessive penalty. Apparently our government and judicial system does not. Cruel and unusual punishments. If a man kills three or more people with witnesses and proved beyond doubt is it cruel or unusual to remove him from society by death? Is it not a improvement to society to remove serial killers (especially ones who plead insanity) from the gene pool? (on topic question... why does it seem like those who are against the death penalty are for abortion? how is killing an innocent baby a more acceptable practice than putting a killer to death?)

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Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution. Ratified12/15/1791.

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

This says these are the rights of the people, but we are not limited to just these rights alone.

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Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified12/15/1791.

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.

This states that each state has the power the way they see fit as long as it does not go against the rights proposed in the constitution. For example all state laws against guns are voided by this constitution as that is a right granted for all citizens.

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The Constitution

The Constitution of the United States

Preamble

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

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Article I - The Legislative Branch

Section 1 - The Legislature

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 2 - The House

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

(Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.) (The previous sentence in parentheses was modified by the 14th Amendment, section 2.) The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section 3 - The Senate

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, (chosen by the Legislature thereof,) (The preceding words in parentheses superseded by 17th Amendment, section 1.) for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; (and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.)(The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 17th Amendment, section 2.)

No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section 4 - Elections, Meetings

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of Chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall (be on the first Monday in December,) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 20th Amendment, section 2.)unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section 5 - Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section 6 - Compensation

(The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.) (The preceding words in parentheses were modified by the 27th Amendment.) They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto

All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section 8 - Powers of Congress

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts andExcises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section 9 - Limits on Congress

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

(No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.) (Section in parentheses clarified by the 16th Amendment.)

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.

Section 10 - Powers prohibited of States

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties andImposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

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Article II - The Executive Branch

Section 1 - The President Note1 Note2

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

(The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not lie an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediatelychuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; a quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two-thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice-President.) (This clause in parentheses was superseded by the 12th Amendment.)

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

(In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.) (This clause in parentheses has been modified by the 20th and 25th Amendments.)

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section 3 - State of the Union, Convening Congress

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section 4 - Disqualification

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

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Article III - The Judicial Branch

Section 1 - Judicial powers

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section 2 - Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials

(The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority; to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party; to Controversies between two or more States; between a State and Citizens of another State; between Citizens of different States; between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.) (This section in parentheses is modified by the 11th Amendment.)

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section 3 - Treason Note

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

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Article IV - The States

Section 1 - Each State to Honor all others

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section 2 - State citizens, Extradition

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

(No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.) (This clause in parentheses is superseded by the 13th Amendment.)

Section 3 - New States

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section 4 - Republican government

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

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Article V - Amendment

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

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Article VI - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

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Article VII - Ratification

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

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Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names. Note

Go Washington - President and deputy from Virginia

New Hampshire - John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman

Massachusetts - Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King

Connecticut - Wm Saml Johnson, Roger Sherman

New York - Alexander Hamilton

New Jersey - Wil Livingston, David Brearley, Wm Paterson, Jona. Dayton

Pensylvania - B Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt Morris, Geo. Clymer, Thos FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouv Morris

Delaware - Geo. Read, Gunning Bedford jun, John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jaco. Broom

Maryland - James McHenry, Dan of St Tho Jenifer, Danl Carroll

Virginia - John Blair, James Madison Jr.

North Carolina - Wm Blount, Richd Dobbs Spaight, Hu Williamson

South Carolina - J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler

Georgia - William Few, Abr Baldwin

Attest: William Jackson, Secretary

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The Amendments

The following are the Amendments to the Constitution. The first ten Amendments collectively are commonly known as the Bill of Rights. History

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Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

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Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

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Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

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Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

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Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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 offense 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 bedeprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

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Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

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Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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.

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Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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

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Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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

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Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791.

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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Amendment 11 - Judicial Limits. Ratified 2/7/1795.

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

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Amendment 12 - Choosing the President, Vice-President. Ratified 6/15/1804.

The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;

The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;

The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.

The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

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Amendment 13 - Slavery Abolished. Ratified 12/6/1865.

1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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Amendment 14 - Citizenship Rights. Ratified 7/9/1868.

1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

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Amendment 15 - Race No Bar to Vote. Ratified 2/3/1870.

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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Amendment 16 - Status of Income Tax Clarified. Ratified 2/3/1913.

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

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Amendment 17 - Senators Elected by Popular Vote. Ratified 4/8/1913.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

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Amendment 18 - Liquor Abolished. Ratified 1/16/1919. Repealed by Amendment 21, 12/5/1933.

1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

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Amendment 19 - Women's Suffrage. Ratified 8/18/1920.

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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Amendment 20 - Presidential, Congressional Terms. Ratified 1/23/1933.

1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.

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Amendment 21 - Amendment 18 Repealed. Ratified 12/5/1933.

1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

3. The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

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Amendment 22 - Presidential Term Limits. Ratified 2/27/1951.

1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President, when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.

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Amendment 23 - Presidential Vote for District of Columbia. Ratified 3/29/1961.

1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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Amendment 24 - Poll Tax Barred. Ratified 1/23/1964.

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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Amendment 25 - Presidential Disability and Succession. Ratified 2/10/1967.

1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

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Amendment 26 - Voting Age Set to 18 Years. Ratified 7/1/1971.

1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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Amendment 27 - Limiting Congressional Pay Increases. Ratified 5/7/1992.

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.