Posted on May 1, 2015
Are we slowly losing our constitutional rights?
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I feel as each day passes, Americans are being slowly "conditioned" into a state where our constitutional rights are little to none.
Talk of gun control is absurd to me; it's obvious that the 2nd Amendment's original intent is to allow Americans the right to protect themselves with their own firearm without fear of repercussion. I don't understand how the argument, "Guns kill people." is legitimate to anyone because mentally unstable people kill people.. a weapon is a tool; an extension of a man's will. If the man chooses to kill someone, how can you justify punishing an entire nation by the actions of a few morons?
Just my $.02. There are a bunch of examples, but I wanted to get the input of the RP community. Am I imagining this?
Invite others to respond by typing @name
Talk of gun control is absurd to me; it's obvious that the 2nd Amendment's original intent is to allow Americans the right to protect themselves with their own firearm without fear of repercussion. I don't understand how the argument, "Guns kill people." is legitimate to anyone because mentally unstable people kill people.. a weapon is a tool; an extension of a man's will. If the man chooses to kill someone, how can you justify punishing an entire nation by the actions of a few morons?
Just my $.02. There are a bunch of examples, but I wanted to get the input of the RP community. Am I imagining this?
Invite others to respond by typing @name
Constitution
Bill of Rights
Politics
United States
Freedom
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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Here is how I feel, and I hope none of you think I am crazy. Let me break it down by individual Amendments of the Bill of Rights.
1st Amendment:
Speech: Political Correctness dictates what and how we can say things without perceived (read: false) offense. Any criticism of the President means one is racist. Any criticism of Hillary means one is sexist. These are blatant violation of the Freedom of Speech.
Press: According to Senator Feinstein, any journalist not affiliated with a major newspaper or network, is not a real journalist. Any news site not affiliated with the above criteria i not a real news site. Many other people feel the same way.
Religion: Christians cannot publicly display manger scenes or any other Christian symbolism without being sued. This violates freedom to exercise religion. It seems only atheists and Muslims have any religious freedom.
Redress of Grievances and Peaceable Gathering: Marked off protest zones off the beaten path and laws against protests within a certain distance of officials who have secret service protection infringe on this. Also, selective permission for only certain groups to protest on college campuses violate this.
2nd Amendment:
Bans on types of magazines, construction of firearms, and certain types of ammunition are direct attacks on this amendment. Banning people from owning guns with no recourse for appeal, such as involuntary commitment, or being diagnosed with PTSD are blatant violations. (Convicted felons can petition for their gun rights and often can get them reinstated. Those mentioned above can't.
Also, any legislation (there are many) that limits the ability to procure, carry, or utilize certain firearms violates this.
3rd Amendment:
Contrary to popular and majority opinion and understanding, this amendment does not mean just housing soldiers in private homes, but primarily addressed the military acting as general civilian law enforcement. The militarization/nationalization of the country's police forces violates this in my opinion.
4th Amendment:
Using drones to spy on people, NSA's collection of emails, texts, and cell calls are the biggest violations of this. Laws being passed and upheld by higher courts allowing LEOs to search your car (without probable cause) during a traffic stop, and New York City's stop and frisk law are blatant violations of this. There are many more; all you have to do is a little online research.
5th Amendment:
The confiscation of personal property without due process (Just being charged, but not convicted) and it being sold, which happens in many jurisdictions violates this.
8th Amendment:
Bail amounts of astronomical amounts are being levied for minor offenses. Locally, a guy with a drunk and disorderly was levied a bail of $5000. This is more common than people think. This violates the 8th, in my opinion.
10th Amendment:
Ever since the Civil War, federalism has become less and less common. The federal government has been overruling states rights over and over again. The federal laws trump state laws, even though a separation of powers between the states and the federal government is guaranteed. The act of secession was indeed allowed under this amendment, but after the Civil War, the federal government has tried to keep all the states under its thumb.
So... are we slowly losing our rights? I believe we are indeed. Certain political figures, as well as special interest groups, who happen to be in the minority of the country's population, seem to be driving the direction of who gets what rights and when. As we move on into the future, I think this country will be so much more different than the original intent of the framers of the Constitution, even more than it is right now. If the Founding Fathers saw what was happening right now, they would not recognize this country as the same one they established.
Also, if we do not get away from this two-party political system that has all the politicians in bed with the corporations and the special interest groups, and start electing actual Constitutionalists, our rights will continue to further erode.
1st Amendment:
Speech: Political Correctness dictates what and how we can say things without perceived (read: false) offense. Any criticism of the President means one is racist. Any criticism of Hillary means one is sexist. These are blatant violation of the Freedom of Speech.
Press: According to Senator Feinstein, any journalist not affiliated with a major newspaper or network, is not a real journalist. Any news site not affiliated with the above criteria i not a real news site. Many other people feel the same way.
Religion: Christians cannot publicly display manger scenes or any other Christian symbolism without being sued. This violates freedom to exercise religion. It seems only atheists and Muslims have any religious freedom.
Redress of Grievances and Peaceable Gathering: Marked off protest zones off the beaten path and laws against protests within a certain distance of officials who have secret service protection infringe on this. Also, selective permission for only certain groups to protest on college campuses violate this.
2nd Amendment:
Bans on types of magazines, construction of firearms, and certain types of ammunition are direct attacks on this amendment. Banning people from owning guns with no recourse for appeal, such as involuntary commitment, or being diagnosed with PTSD are blatant violations. (Convicted felons can petition for their gun rights and often can get them reinstated. Those mentioned above can't.
Also, any legislation (there are many) that limits the ability to procure, carry, or utilize certain firearms violates this.
3rd Amendment:
Contrary to popular and majority opinion and understanding, this amendment does not mean just housing soldiers in private homes, but primarily addressed the military acting as general civilian law enforcement. The militarization/nationalization of the country's police forces violates this in my opinion.
4th Amendment:
Using drones to spy on people, NSA's collection of emails, texts, and cell calls are the biggest violations of this. Laws being passed and upheld by higher courts allowing LEOs to search your car (without probable cause) during a traffic stop, and New York City's stop and frisk law are blatant violations of this. There are many more; all you have to do is a little online research.
5th Amendment:
The confiscation of personal property without due process (Just being charged, but not convicted) and it being sold, which happens in many jurisdictions violates this.
8th Amendment:
Bail amounts of astronomical amounts are being levied for minor offenses. Locally, a guy with a drunk and disorderly was levied a bail of $5000. This is more common than people think. This violates the 8th, in my opinion.
10th Amendment:
Ever since the Civil War, federalism has become less and less common. The federal government has been overruling states rights over and over again. The federal laws trump state laws, even though a separation of powers between the states and the federal government is guaranteed. The act of secession was indeed allowed under this amendment, but after the Civil War, the federal government has tried to keep all the states under its thumb.
So... are we slowly losing our rights? I believe we are indeed. Certain political figures, as well as special interest groups, who happen to be in the minority of the country's population, seem to be driving the direction of who gets what rights and when. As we move on into the future, I think this country will be so much more different than the original intent of the framers of the Constitution, even more than it is right now. If the Founding Fathers saw what was happening right now, they would not recognize this country as the same one they established.
Also, if we do not get away from this two-party political system that has all the politicians in bed with the corporations and the special interest groups, and start electing actual Constitutionalists, our rights will continue to further erode.
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SPC Carl K.
I truly am not trying to single out a particular political party. It matters not what party you are involved with, it matters what is said in generality. Both parties are at fault here. It is truly hard to tell one parrty from the other. They both serve their corporate masters, since this country has become an oligarchy, instead of a democratic republic, as it and the media would have everyone believe. I hear all the time about a particular church or religious group being penalized for displaying religious symbolism that does not agree with Islam/Muzzrats.
The media is a tool for the establishment to try and tell everyone what the political status quo is.
The special interest groups I referred to were the gays, who ultimately make up 2.5% of our population. 0.8% of our population are the gays in committed relationships, looking to get married.
How do you tout religious freedom when Christians
The media is a tool for the establishment to try and tell everyone what the political status quo is.
The special interest groups I referred to were the gays, who ultimately make up 2.5% of our population. 0.8% of our population are the gays in committed relationships, looking to get married.
How do you tout religious freedom when Christians
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SGT Joseph Schmalzel
If you put a frog in a pot of cold water he will sit there as you turn the heat up, and in the end boil to death. They are chipping away slowly at our rights.
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MSG Stan Hutchison
SPC Carl K. - You have a long list there so I am going to respond to one at a time. You posted:
"Religion: Christians cannot publicly display manger scenes or any other Christian symbolism without being sued. This violates freedom to exercise religion. It seems only atheists and Muslims have any religious freedom."
That is simply not correct. What is correct is they cannot display those religious symbols on public property, like a courthouse lawn. They can display any symbols on their own property.
At least by Federal law. Some local laws prohibit some displays based on size, etc. We had a local man that had to move his manger display because it was on a corner and so large it blocked view of traffic, causing a potential for accidents. He moved it closer to his house and no problem.
"Religion: Christians cannot publicly display manger scenes or any other Christian symbolism without being sued. This violates freedom to exercise religion. It seems only atheists and Muslims have any religious freedom."
That is simply not correct. What is correct is they cannot display those religious symbols on public property, like a courthouse lawn. They can display any symbols on their own property.
At least by Federal law. Some local laws prohibit some displays based on size, etc. We had a local man that had to move his manger display because it was on a corner and so large it blocked view of traffic, causing a potential for accidents. He moved it closer to his house and no problem.
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Not to beat a dead horse, but far too many people talk about the constitution having never actually read it. The 2nd Amendment clearly states that carrying weapons was a matter reserved for militia.
**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.**
It was Supreme Court decisions centuries later that redefined that right to include self-defense and hunting. We have the right to own guns, but it wasn't the Constitution, nor was it the correction that gave UA the right (the amendments were corrections or clarifications).
As for other rights, we aren't losing them at all. That's propaganda put out by a particular segment of America. The rest is debateable, I just wanted to clarify that point.
**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.**
It was Supreme Court decisions centuries later that redefined that right to include self-defense and hunting. We have the right to own guns, but it wasn't the Constitution, nor was it the correction that gave UA the right (the amendments were corrections or clarifications).
As for other rights, we aren't losing them at all. That's propaganda put out by a particular segment of America. The rest is debateable, I just wanted to clarify that point.
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LTC (Join to see)
Your history is incorrect. Simply reading Washington will reflect what the militia is, the People, and their responsibility to deter a tyrannical government.
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1stLt Steven P.
As LTC Martin said, once must look at the words and their meanings at the time the constitution was written. The idea that all citizens could be called to form that well regulated militia required that everyone have the right to own and bear arms. The small military we had was not in the position to arm all the volunteers we needed. The militia of the period was also understood to be there to keep the government from over stepping its bounds.
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LTC (Join to see)
If you are going to beat that horse then please beat it correctly. Answer this- Whom were the militia being referred to in the 2nd Amendment?
The answer is We the People.
The answer is We the People.
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on the contrary, IMHO we are becoming so filled with a sense of entitlement that every time the government tries to step in on an issue, some group somewhere feels their rights are being threatened.
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MSG (Join to see)
This era of 'I hate my government because I'm a true American' needs to end. The disdain for American government is causing our society to falter top down.
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LTC Bink Romanick
Where does it say that you can discriminate in the constitution. No government in the church, No church in the government.
What right have you lost?
What right have you lost?
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SPC Patrick Caldwell
With all due respect MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, you're making quite a big assumption to make the statement you're making. Just because I feel my rights are being threatened, I'm automatically labelled 'entitled' in your eyes.. but the question is, aren't we? Americans are entitled to "certain unalienable rights" through our Constitution, assumed to be rights that should be granted to any free man or woman who is a citizen of this nation. If you want to label me as 'entitled', that's fine because I'm damn sure that I am. There have been some serious pushes to challenge various Amendments of this great Constitution (mainly the 1st, 2nd and 4th) and I have a right to feel my rights are being threatened.. if you want to toss the issues aside in your mind and act like it isn't a big deal, that's your choice but don't look at me and think I'm some spoiled brat who thinks I'm royalty or something.. I just want to walk free in this country without worry, knowing I can openly carry a pistol or rifle without some idiot calling the police because they're scared and think I'm going to shoot someone. I want to drive from point A to point B without being harassed by police officers conducting an illegal "drunk-driving checkpoint", and I don't want to be pulled over without probable cause.
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LTC (Join to see)
LTC Bink Romanick - Please explain how forcing the people to have government provided health care is constitutional? Don't I have a right to be left alone.
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The second amendment had been under attack for decades. That debate truly deserves its own thread. Though there’s little doubt other rights are being trampled on.
4th- 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.
NSA spying, stop and frisk, sobriety checkpoints, no knock warrants, firearms seizures for suspected domestic abuse(no due process)
4th- 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.
NSA spying, stop and frisk, sobriety checkpoints, no knock warrants, firearms seizures for suspected domestic abuse(no due process)
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PO1 John Miller
Great example. I've asked repeatedly how exactly "The Patriot Act" is not a violation of the Fourth Amendment. "Because the Supreme Court says it's not" is the typical answer.
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SFC (Join to see)
PO1 John Miller
The supreme court just acts as a tool for either party depending on the leanings of each judge and who’s in the majority. The constitution isn’t even a factor.
The supreme court just acts as a tool for either party depending on the leanings of each judge and who’s in the majority. The constitution isn’t even a factor.
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SGT Joseph Schmalzel
Freedom Via overwhelming government regulation. Sounds like a bad hand job to me.
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Yes, various levels of government in the United States are gradually increasing infringements on our rights over time.
From minimum wage laws to soda size restrictions to gun control to civil asset forfeiture, Tyranny is a real problem in the United States, today.
From minimum wage laws to soda size restrictions to gun control to civil asset forfeiture, Tyranny is a real problem in the United States, today.
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LTC Bink Romanick
Where's the constitutional right to soda size? By the way that was an NYC Law that the courts shot down, you haven't lost your guns. Congress wouldn't even pass a background check law even after 20 little kids were shot to pieces in Sandy Hook and some mentally ill moron shot up a movie theatre in Denver... Now tell me exactly what rights you lost?
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LTC Bink Romanick
What rights are minimum wage and soda size? Please explain... Have you actually read the constitution?
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SGT Joseph Schmalzel
LTC Bink Romanick - Glad you retired. I know you are educated more than I in classrooms, but you are the problem not the solution Sir.
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SGT Joseph Schmalzel
Salt shakers are banned in that shithole of a city New York. Thanks dear government for telling me what I can consume. Fuck it I live in Arizona where I can carry anyway I want to. And, eat how I choose. Salt is important in the summer months due to sweat. So the Liberal assclowns can go suck start a .45 ACP for all I care. They are the lame horse (no offense to horses) to society.............
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Speaking on the 2nd Ammendment and gun control I would say keep the right to bear arms but for those that abuse this right i.e. killing, robbery etc... there should be more stingent laws like and eye for an eye that would make people think twice. Image if you you knew you were going to be put in front of a firing squad immediately after a trial if found guilty for murder would you think twice?
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The communist/socialist agenda wants to disarm us. We can't be conquered as long as we are armed.
When the people fear the government, you have tyranny.
When the government fears the people, you have liberty.
When the people fear the government, you have tyranny.
When the government fears the people, you have liberty.
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SGT Michael Touchet
@SSG Aaron Smith, where are you seeing fear and hate toward American government? Really I see you chiming in without stating any specific facts. There is no dispute what the Constitution says, and it is in fact special interest attempting to dismantle our Constitution. Regardless if you will admit that it is being challenged repeatedly. I do not see fear or hate I see the decay of America and I am saddened that we as a People under one nation are so divided.
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LTC Bink Romanick
Just where are these communists? You do know that Socialism and Communism are two separate political systems... Perhaps you don't
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SPC Nathan Freeman
USSR stood for the the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It was communist. China is called the socialist republic of China. It is communist. The same goes for Cuba. Communism is more severe than Socialism for sure. But socialism is the gateway drug to communism.
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Hi Patrick,
Small point of semantics, but rights are not "Constitutional." The Constitution was meant, in part, to prevent the Federal government from infringing upon natural rights, i.e. rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I agree with the intent of your question, and with the remarks you made to support your notion. There are simply too many quotes i could post from the founders that warned of precisely these things. The one that stands out right now is from Benjamin Franklin:
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little safety temporary security deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Small point of semantics, but rights are not "Constitutional." The Constitution was meant, in part, to prevent the Federal government from infringing upon natural rights, i.e. rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I agree with the intent of your question, and with the remarks you made to support your notion. There are simply too many quotes i could post from the founders that warned of precisely these things. The one that stands out right now is from Benjamin Franklin:
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little safety temporary security deserve neither liberty nor safety."
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I woke up this morning and checked.
We were not under martial law and all my Constitutional rights were firmly in place.
The only thing that restricts my right to buy a weapon is the prices that have been jacked up by the repeated chanting that our guns are going to be taken away.
We were not under martial law and all my Constitutional rights were firmly in place.
The only thing that restricts my right to buy a weapon is the prices that have been jacked up by the repeated chanting that our guns are going to be taken away.
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I'm afraid so, seems we have fewer rights. Seems if you're a criminal, illegal, drug addict you have more and more rights.
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