Mark Caserta: As Americans, how knowledgeable are we about The Bill of Rights?

Maybe it’s time for a refresher! After all, how do we fight for that which we are unaware has been appropriated for us?

Let’s get started!

We live our lives in the United States under the protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution. It is often leveraged in political pontificating without true adherence to the visions of our Founding Fathers.

It’s up to us to keep and preserve our Republic! We must be able to state our positions boldly and accurately!

The Constitution Was Not Originally Going to Include a Bill of Rights.

When the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia in 1787, most delegates did not think a bill of rights was necessary.

They believed the Constitution already limited the federal government enough.

Some feared listing rights might imply those were the only rights people had. There are, indeed, people’s rights not specifically noted in the Constitution.

I personally would like to propose an amendment that all rights provided directly or indirectly by the Constitution, be limited to US citizens ONLY! (But, I digress)

So, initially, the Constitution was drafted without a bill.

When the Constitution went to the states for approval, Anti-Federalists (those worried about strong central power) opposed ratification unless a list of rights was added.

They feared:

• Abuse of power

• Government overreach

• Lack of protections for individual freedoms

This resistance nearly prevented the Constitution from being adopted!

To win support and ensure ratification, key Federalists—including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay promised that a bill of rights would be added after the Constitution was approved.

This compromise helped several states vote yes.

Once the Constitution went into effect in 1789, James Madison, who initially doubted a bill of rights was necessary, took the lead in writing one.

By December 15, 1791, 10 amendments were ratified.

These became the Bill of Rights.

It’s important, as Americans, that we understand these rights and their implications on our lives!

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