Date post: | 01-Jul-2015 |
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Who determines what the Bill of Rights mean?
The Supreme Court decides the meaning
A balances the rights of the individual citizen with the needs of society
Individual?? Society??
The First amendment…Five Rights Are Mentioned
Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion Freedom of the Press Freedom of Assembly Right to petition the
government
Freedom of Religion“Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free
exercise there of…”
Religion and GovernmentCans Cannot
Teach about religions in school
Allow voluntary prayer in many examples
Transport students to a religious school
Read Bible for culture or literacy content
Set a state religion Government cannot
order a prayer Teach religious
doctrine in the school Pay seminary
teachers Teach creationism
Free speech– The individual can:
Say any political belief Protest (without getting out of control) Say things about someone that are true Burn the flag Free speech means someone might say
something you disagree with
Free speech—limits on the person
Threaten to blow up airplanes, schools or the president
Sexual harassment Disrespectful, vulgar language in
schools or in a public form Hate crimes
Freedom of the press-the pressCan Cannot
Print any political position
Make fun of people, especially politicians
Expose wrongs by the government
Say things you might not agree with
Libel– intentionally injuring a person’s reputation by false facts
Disclose defense-security secrets
Detail how to make a certain weapons
Freedom of Assembly
Congress shall make no law . . . Abridging . . . The people to peaceably assemble”
Freedom of Assembly--IndividualCan Cannot
Protest Parade (with a
permit) Can congregate
in public
Protest with violence
Hang out on private land against owners wishes
Violate Teen curfew
Petition the Government
“Congress shall make no law . . . Abridging . . . the people. . . to petition the government for a redress of grievances”
Petition the government
You may sue the government for wrongs
You cannot be punished for exposing wrongs by the government
The courts decide the wrongs
Second Amendment
“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Second Amendment
“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Third Amendment
The Government cannot force you to shelter soldiers in your home without your consent in time of war or peace.
Fourth Amendment
A warrant given to him by a judge or magistrate, supported by Probable cause
• What does a policeman need in order to search your home?
Fifth Amendment No person shall … 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, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation
Fifth Amendment You cannot be tried for the same crime
twice—called “Double Jeopardy” You do not have to testify against your
self. “I plead the fifth” You must have due process of law before
you are convicted The government cannot take your land
unless it pays.
Sixth Amendment
Right to speedy trial by impartial jury—meaning not favoring either side
You must be told of charges You must be provided a lawyer if you
cannot afford one
Sixth Amendment
Right to speedy trial by impartial jury—meaning not favoring either side
You must be told of charges You must be provided a lawyer if you
cannot afford one
Seventh Amendment“In Suits at common law, where the value controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved...”
In civil cases over $20, citizen has the right to a trial by impartial jury
Ninth Amendment
When the Bill of Rights was first proposed, the major argument against it was that by specifying some rights that the government was not free to violate, there would be the implication that the government was free to violate any rights not specifically protected in the Constitution.
“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. “
Tenth Amendment
States Rights
“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.
Role of a Citizen in the USARole of a Citizen in the USA
Citizens of the US play a role in government. Elements of citizenship can be broken into two categories:
– Obligations- things you must do and if you don’t, there is a punishment.
– Responsibilities- things you should do, but there is no punishment.
Responsibility or Obligation?Responsibility or Obligation?
Voting• 26th Amendment-18 years old• 14th Amendment- voting rights to all• By NOT voting, you allow a minority to make decisions for you
– 50-60% of people vote in most Presidential elections– 40-50% vote in Congressional elections– 30-40% vote in state/local elections
Role of a Citizen in the USARole of a Citizen in the USA
Responsibility or Obligation?Responsibility or Obligation?
Obey LawsObey Laws• 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law• No one is so important that they are above the law, and no one is so insignificant that they can’t look to the law for protection.
Role of a Citizen in the USARole of a Citizen in the USA
Responsibility or Obligation?Responsibility or Obligation?
Jury Duty• 6th Amendment-gives people some control over justice• “Dodging jury duty erodes the foundations we have against injustice”
Role of a Citizen in the USARole of a Citizen in the USA
Responsibility or Obligation?Responsibility or Obligation?
Paying TaxesPaying Taxes• “It is human nature to resent the government taking its share of your income. But, it’s also human nature to demand the conveniences, improvements, and protection our taxes provide”• Our country attempted to work without collecting taxes…it failed to be successful. (Articles of Confederation)
Role of a Citizen in the USARole of a Citizen in the USA
Responsibility or Obligation?Responsibility or Obligation?
Respecting OthersRespecting Others• Tolerance is not only “putting up with” other people who are different from ourselves. It’s the spirit of trying to understand them.• The American ideal is equality of all men. – Civil War– Women’s Suffrage– Civil Rights Movement
Role of a Citizen in the USARole of a Citizen in the USA
Responsibility or Obligation?Responsibility or Obligation?
Community ServiceCommunity Service• Working together accomplishes much more that one could hope to acieve on his/her own.• Community service is more about giving your time and abilities rather than money• Our country needs its people to get involved and stay involved, to invest their lives into their communities, to give their hearts to their neighbors, and to not expect someone else to bear the burden.
Role of a Citizen in the USARole of a Citizen in the USA
Responsibility or Obligation?Responsibility or Obligation?
Honoring the PastHonoring the Past• Citizens must know and understand the history of this country to truly appreciate the freedoms and rights we take for granted.•“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” – George Santayana • “History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” – David McCullough
Role of a Citizen in the USARole of a Citizen in the USA