B-Day of the Bill of Rights

On this date in 1791, Virginia's ratification of the first ten amendments to the Constitution met the requirement for the three-fourths majority and the amendments became law. Driven by a concern of an overly powerful federal government, the first ten amendments articulated specific rights of all Americans. A quick summary of these amendments that became known as the Bill of Rights. 

1. Freedom of speech, assembly, religion and the press

2. Right to keep and bear arms

3. No forcible quartering of soldiers during peacetime

4. Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure

5. Right to a grand jury for capital crimes and due process; Protection from double jeopardy, self-incrimination and public confiscation of private property without just compensation

6. Right to a speedy trial by jury and competent defense

7. Right to trial by jury for monetary cases above $20

8. Protection against "excessive" bail or fines and "cruel and unusual" punishment

9. Rights not enumerated are "retained by the people"

10. Rights not given to the federal government nor prohibited by the Constitution to the state governments, "are reserved to the States... or to the people". 

Somewhere the government's power to mandate everyone buy health insurance seems to be missing... 

Posted via email from greg-c - on the go....