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Author: John Poirier, Esq. -
The Thirteenth letter of John to the Philistines. The term “Philistine” is defined in the modern vernacular as a derogatory term used to describe a person holding a vulgar set of values. A Philistine is someone who despises or undervalues art, beauty, intellectual rigor, or spiritual values. Philistines are also said to be materialistic and to favor pop culture values unthinkingly. The American landscape is filled with Philistines these days, and you know who you are.
The Bill of Rights, Version 2.0: With the hindsight of the last 200 years, and in light of the last 100 year assault on the Constitution by the American Progressive Movement, it is time to restate the Bill of Rights. Therefore, I present the Bill of Rights as I would have written them, and as it should have been written in order for the Constitution to withstand the Progressive assault (that is to say the movement to a socialist, collectivist tyranny) begun by Teddy Roosevelt and prosecuted by Woodrow Wilson, FDR, LBJ, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. It is an assault that has neutered our rights under the Constitution, and has left our country unrecognizable to Americans living just 3 generations ago. For the ease of comprehension by the reader, additions are underlined apart from the original text.
BILL OF RIGHTS version 2.0
Article [I]13
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, except with respect to those cults worshipping Satan or inciting the murder of innocents, which shall be prohibited. This shall in no way be construed to mean that Congress cannot give support to any religious denomination it chooses, nor that individuals on public property or in the conduct of public proceedings cannot give reverent thanks to God, nor construed to mean that any citizen has a right to be free from the influence of religion practiced by others. Congress shall make no law 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 except in cases of treason. Congress shall make no laws requiring the licensing, permitting, or taxing of speech or the press or public assembly. Congress shall make no law limiting or prohibiting the expenditure of monies or other valuable consideration in the support of candidates for elective office, or in petitioning for the passage or repeal of any law.
Article [II]
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the individual people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed in any way by Congress or the States, and individual citizens shall have the right to bear any personal firearm used by the militia, or the standing army or navy, respectively and without exception, a well armed population being necessary to prevent the rise of tyranny.
Article [III]
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.
Article [IV]
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, property, modes of conveyance, papers, communications, 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.
Article [V]
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 offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, neither by their testimony nor by their physical status nor other tangible evidence from their bodies, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, defined herein as solely consisting of property used for public works limited to highways, roads, bridges, canals and ports, without just compensation to be determined by fair market value.
Article [VI]
In all criminal prosecutions, in matters of any magnitude, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of citizens 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, at the expense of the accused which shall be reimbursed by the State to the accused in cases of acquittal or innocence.
Article [VII]
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury of one’s peers 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.
Article [VIII]
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. This shall not be construed to prohibit any punishment currently imposed in any of the several States, nor any other traditional punishment including corporal punishments.
Article [IX]
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. These rights shall include, but not be limited to, the right of the people to determine when to bestow the rights of personhood on children, including the unborn, the right of the people to define the institution of marriage, the right of the people to procreate as they choose, the right of the people to raise and educate their children as they see fit without interference by the State through regulations or taxation, the right of the people to own property, inherit, contract, work, save, invest, and devise their own estates, the right of the people to be subject to taxation equally, without reference to their station or income, and the right of the people to be free to use their property and all natural resources thereupon as they see fit, without interference by the State through regulations or taxation.
Article [X]
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. The protection and promotion of the social welfare of the people shall be delegated and reserved solely to the States under the Constitution and prohibited by it to the United States. In no case shall this Constitution be construed to create a right of the people to any man-made commodity or service produced by their fellow citizens.
Your thoughts and comments are welcome.
