The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It specifies that “the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual, including freedom of speech, press, and religion.
Here is a summary of the first 10 Amendments to the United States Constitution, contrasted with a summary of the 10 Planks of the Communist Manifesto. Which more accurately portrays America at this point in time? In which direction is America moving?
The Ten Planks of the Communist Manifesto, by Karl Heinrich Marx, 1848. From Laissez-Fair Republic.
1. Abolition of Property in Land and Application of all Rents of Land to Public Purpose.
The courts have interpreted the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (1868) to give the government far more "eminent domain" power than was originally intended.
2. A Heavy Progressive or Graduated Income Tax.
The 16th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, 1913 (which some scholars maintain was never properly ratified), and various State income taxes, established this major Marxist coup in the United States many decades ago.
3. Abolition of All Rights of Inheritance.
4. Confiscation of the Property of All Emigrants and Rebels.
We call it government seizures, tax liens, "forfeiture"
5. Centralization of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly.
The Federal Reserve System, created by the Federal Reserve Act of Congress in 1913, is indeed such a "national bank"...
6. Centralization of the means of communication and transportation in the hands of the state.
In the U.S., communication and transportation are controlled and regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established by the Communications Act of 1934 and the Department of Transportation and the Interstate Commerce Commission (established by Congress in 1887), and the Federal Aviation Administration as well as Executive orders 11490, 10999...
7. Extension of Factories and Instruments of Production Owned by the State, the Bringing Into Cultivation of Waste Lands, and the Improvement of the Soil Generally in Accordance with a Common Plan.
While the U.S. does not have vast "collective farms" (which failed so miserably in the Soviet Union), we nevertheless do have a significant degree of government involvement in agriculture in the form of price support subsidies and acreage alotments and land-use controls....
8. Equal Liability of All to Labor. Establishment of Industrial Armies, Especially for Agriculture.
We call it the Social Security Administration and The Department of Labor...
9. Combination of Agriculture with Manufacturing Industries; Gradual Abolition of the Distinction Between Town and Country by a More Equable Distribution of the Population over the Country.
10. Free Education for All Children in Public Schools. Abolition of Children's Factory Labor in it's Present Form. Combination of Education with Industrial Production.
People are being taxed to support what we call 'public' schools...
The Bill of Rights: What Does it Say? from National Archives.
The First Amendment provides several rights protections: to express ideas through speech and the press, to assemble or gather with a group to protest or for other reasons, and to ask the government to fix problems. It also protects the right to religious beliefs and practices. It prevents the government from creating or favoring a religion.
The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms.
The Third Amendment prevents government from forcing homeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes. Before the Revolutionary War, laws gave British soldiers the right to take over private homes.
The Fourth Amendment bars the government from unreasonable search and seizure of an individual or their private property.
The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes. It states that serious criminal charges must be started by a grand jury. A person cannot be tried twice for the same offense (double jeopardy) or have property taken away without just compensation. People have the right against self-incrimination and cannot be imprisoned without due process of law (fair procedures and trials.)
The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections to people accused of crimes, such as the right to a speedy and public trial, trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases, and to be informed of criminal charges. Witnesses must face the accused, and the accused is allowed his or her own witnesses and to be represented by a lawyer.
The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial in Federal civil cases.
The Eighth Amendment bars excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
The Ninth Amendment states that listing specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have other rights that have not been spelled out.
The Tenth Amendment says that the Federal Government only has those powers delegated in the Constitution. If it isn’t listed, it belongs to the states or to the people.
Why Socialism Never Works: A Video Marathon.
Capitalism has lifted millions out of poverty and is the only creator of wealth. Socialism ONLY results in economic ruin. So why do so many young people today support it? Watch this specially-curated video marathon devoted to understanding Socialism and its pitfalls.