So often in my work here at Tenth Amendment Center, I hear people referring to their rights by Amendment. Unfortunately, doing so creates a misconception of where your rights come from, and the power of government to take them.
Some examples:
“Creating a free speech zone is a violation of my First Amendment Rights!”
“I will never let Bloomberg and his type take away my Second Amendment Rights!”
“First Amendment Rights” or “Second Amendment Rights” as a phrase implies that you get your rights as a grant from government, or a document.
By referring to your right to free speech as your first amendment right – and your right to keep and bear arms as your second amendment right – people often believe that you have those rights because they’re spelled out in the Bill of Rights.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Both the first and second amendments – are rules for the government – telling them they’re not allowed to violate the rights you already have.
Your rights are yours by the very nature of your birth. You have them whether a document or government says so or not. While governments will always work to limit or destroy them, it’s up to you – and others – to resist such acts and exercise those rights whether the government wants you to or not.
- George Mason vs the Constitution: Top Anti-Federalist Arguments - July 26, 2024
- Is the President a King in Disguise? The Anti-Federalist Argument - July 24, 2024
- The “Evils of Paper Money” Have No End: The Founders Warned us Why - July 22, 2024