I want to make a full disclosure.
I learned the Pledge of Allegiance and the US Flag in Elementary School.
Later, I learned about the American Revolution and Paul Revere’s Ride.
In High School, I took the required course in American History.
I read autobiographies. I read “Profiles in Courage” by John F. Kennedy.
I ran for U.S. Senate as an Independent and never made the ballot.
What do I know about the US Government?
“You are making a big mistake, Nick” That’s what the Lawyers say. Don’t represent yourself, Pro Se — it will destroy your chances. You will get laughed out of court, and it will damage your credibility. The Court treats Pro Se litigants with prejudice. That’s why you have to pay for a lawyer.
And don’t sue in Federal Court.
Ask Joe Random, “What is the First Amendment?”
He will answer, “It’s Freedom of Speech. This is America and you can say anything you want.”
Ask Joe Random, “What is the Second Amendment?”
He will answer, “It’s Freedom of Guns. This is America and I can buy any gun I want.”
Ask Joe Random, “What is the Third Amendment?”
He will give you a blank stare. “I don’t know. What’s that? I didn’t know there was a Third Amendment.”
Ask Joe Random, “What is the Fourth Amendment?”
He will answer, “The cops can’t stop my car, and search it, unless they have a court order.”
Ask Joe Random,”What is the Fifth Amendment?”
He will answer, “I’m taking the fifth. I am not talking.”
Ask Joe Random, “What is the Sixth Amendment?”
He will answer, “It ‘s the right to counsel.”
Ask Joe Random, “What is the Seventh Amendment?”
He will answer, “It’s the right to have a jury.”
Ask Joe Random,”What is the Eighth Amendment?”
He will answer,”It’s the right to not have cruel or unusual punishment.”
Ask Joe Random, “What is the Ninth Amendment?”
He will answer,”The people retain all rights that haven’t been written down.”
Ask Joe Random,”What is the Tenth Amendment?”
He will answer,”It’s a lot like the Ninth Amendment.”
There’s a lot of truth here — These Ten Amendments are the Bill of Rights. To protect the people from tyranny. To protect the people from the Government. Don’t be fooled.
They became U.S. Law in 1791. There is a strong argument that the Bill of Rights is the DNA of our country, that it embodies what is best and noble of our Country. It has stood the test of time, through wars, and economic panics and depressions, a civil war, the perils of prosperity.
If you look at the other countries — they have common law, they have justice, they have forms of democracy. But do they have a Bill of Rights?
I wrote in U.S. Constitution Timeline about the totality of all the Amendments. Certainly they all have equal weight. But I don’t find it prejudicial to keep a special place in my heart for the Bill of Rights. Because our Founding Fathers were paranoid of Government. And they had a reason then, and we have a reason now.
What do I know about the US Government?
