Emily Jensen

Assignment 3: Bill of Rights 2.0

Original Bill of Rights:

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 f grievances.
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 nfringed.
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.
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.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand ury, 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; or shall any person be subject for the same offense 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.
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 defense.
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 reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
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.

Rewritten Bill of Rights:

Congress will not make a law concerning religion or the exercise of it; or changing the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of citizens to peaceably meet, and to petition the government for the way they handle issues.
Because the United States has a well regulated arms (a requirement for a free state), citizens have the right to keep and bear arms and that right will not be taken from them.
No soldier will be forced into the homes of citizens without permission unless or in times of war unless determined by law.
Citizens have a right to privacy of their bodies, houses, papers against searches or seizures and will not be searched unless there is just reason that is supported by oath and describes where and what will be searched.
No one will be held for any crime unless decided by a grand jury, except in cases in the naval forces, militia in time of war, or in times of public danger; no one will be subject to the same offense twice when death is on the line; no one will be forced in a criminal case to be a witness against themselves or be sentenced to death, lose property, or rights without following rules of law nor shall private property be taken for the public use without good reason.
In a criminal trial, everyone has the right to a fast and public try by an impartial jury and no fact tried by jury will be reexamined according to the rule of the common law.
In common trials where a fine exceeds twenty dollars, they sill have the right to a trial by jury and nothing tried will be reexamined by any court of the US according to the rules of the common law.
Unreasonable bail amounts, fines, and punishments will not be enforced.
The rights listed in the constitution will not be made to deny or disparage certain groups of people.
The power not given to the US by the constitution or prohibited by the states are reserved to the states or the people.

Reflection:

While doing this assignment I had the opportunity to rewrite a common manuscript in terms that would be used today. As I read over the Bill of Rights, I couldn't help thinking about how little Americans truly know about their rights. Not only did this assignment give the opportunity to reread my rights, but I also had the opportunity to directly analyze them. While I read I was surprised at some of my rights; I learned I don't know them as well as I thought I had. While reflecting on myself, I began to think about Americans as a group and wondered if I was one of the few that realizes something needs to be changed. I have realized that as Americans, we are very unaware and are coasting through life without a care because we are "free." Another thing I learned through completing this assignment was that I have less rights than I though and that every right seems to have some visible loophole. While reading many of them I realized there are different interpretations of what they mean, making our rights very flexible. The things I have learned from this assignment have helped me to understand why politics are so important. While examining politician's views and the way the government works, I have realized that changes need to be made. In ever part of every system there are flaws that need to be fixed or the "American" ideas will eventually need to change.