Bill of Rights (1791)

Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

Channeled Song: “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper

Interpretation: The date Congress met.

THE Conventions of a number of States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

Channeled Song: “Confident” by Demi Lovato

Interpretation: Wanting to inspire public confidence.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

Channeled Song: “Our House” by Madness

Interpretation: Both Houses concurring.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

Channeled Song: “America” by Prince

Interpretation: Adding on to America’s founding document.

Article the first…after the first enumeration required by the first article of the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.

Channeled Song: “Regulate” by Warren G. featuring Nate Dogg

Interpretation: Regulating the number of Representatives.

Article the second…No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

Channeled Song: “Money, Money, Money” by ABBA

Interpretation: Wanting to make sure everyone was paid equally.

Article the third…Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or 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.

Channeled Song: “Faith” by George Michael

Interpretation: Wanting to provide religious freedom.

Article the fourth…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.

Channeled Song: “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities

Interpretation: Allowing soldiers to keep weapons.

Article the fifth…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.

Channeled Song: “Soldier” by Destiny’s Child

Interpretation: No longer requiring private citizens to lodge soldiers.

Article the sixth…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.

Channeled Song: “Reasons” by Earth, Wind & Fire

Interpretation: Having to provide a reason for search and seizure.

Article the seventh…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, 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.

Channeled Song: “Jeopardy” by The Greg Kihn Band

Interpretation: Not allowing for double jeopardy.

Article the eighth…In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury 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.

Channeled Song: “Criminal” by Fiona Apple

Interpretation: Speaking about criminal prosecutions.

Article the ninth…In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury 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.

Channeled Song: “Controversy” by Prince

Interpretation: Speaking about the value contested.

Article the tenth…Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Channeled Song: “Don’t Be Cruel” by Elvis Presley

Interpretation: Not allowing cruel or unusual punishment.

Article the eleventh…The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Channeled Song: “Don’t Get Me Wrong” by Pretenders

Interpretation: Not wanting their words to be misunderstood.

Article the twelfth…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.

Channeled Song: “The Power” by SNAP!

Interpretation: Giving the power to the people.

ATTEST,

Channeled Song: “Can I Get A Witness” by Marvin Gaye

Interpretation: Requiring endorsements.

Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House of Representatives

Channeled Song: “Optimistic” by Sounds Of Blackness

Interpretation: Hoping this will pass the first time through.

John Adams, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate

Channeled Song: “High Hopes” by Frank Sinatra

Interpretation: Also hoping this passes the first time through.

John Beckley, Clerk of the House of Representatives

Channeled Song: “Changes” by David Bowie

Interpretation: Knowing changes will need to be made.

Sam A. Otis, Secretary of the Senate

Channeled Song: “Finally” by CeCe Peniston

Interpretation: Glad the session was finally over.

You will want to know that the Bill of Rights was the document that was supposed to ensure that everyone not only had the freedom of speech, but the freedom to practice whatever religion they so chose. With that being said, the Department of War failing to invite Catholic leaders to the annual prayer breakfast appears to be a direct violation of one of our founding documents.

You will want to know that religion was one of the reasons people left Europe. People were being forced to pay homage to both the King of England and the Pope in a manner that was literally taxing people. You will want to know that people were willing to throw their lives away and start anew in a place with no infrastructure because they were tired of being nickeled and dimed to death. You will want to know that not everyone made the voyage over but that they were being seen as willing to risk death instead of being threatened to choose between their religion and a man who could literally kill them at any moment.

You will also want to know that people are being paid more than others when it comes to government representatives. There are term limits that were written into the Constitution that people seem to continue to overlook. Switching to the GS pay schedule guarantees that people get pay increases based on time in the position. Normally, this would not be a problem. However, when you have people in office longer than some retirees served in the military, there is no way to ensure that everyone is being paid at an equal level.

You will want to know that our lawmakers should be required to undergo the same type of training that military personnel are required every single year. Things like OPSEC, HUMINT, and cyber security are things that can help our country protect itself from people who want to do us harm. Reminding people what is in both the Constitution and the Bill of Rights on an annual basis would not be a bad idea as well. A computer-based training module that someone can click through annually will at least ensure that someone has actually read it at one point in their career.

You will want to know that, in writing this, you will be seen as pointing out glaring errors in our government. With that being said, you will want to know that you have worked in a position that had no Human Resources office and saw how that turned out. The Office of Personnel Management is the closest thing the Executive Branch has to an HR office and they may want to consider creating modules for new employees that will remind them of their obligations to our country.

Bill of Rights (1791) | National Archives
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/bill-of-rights