It struck me recently that often times the most important things seem so obvious to us that we take it for granted that they are uniformly understood by all. Such was the case for the first ten amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. Had it not been for the efforts of James Madison, the Bill of Rights may not exist today. Most congressmen during Madison's time thought the rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights to be understood and, therefore, it was unnecessary to add them to the Constitution of the United States. And yet today, with the clarity of hindsight, we see how important it was to have them written down. And yet with as good a job as our founding fathers have done in creating the Constitution, the left wing radicals in this country have succeeded in finding the chinks in our armor and exploiting them.
As with the word "marriage" used, but not defined, in the Constitution of the State of Massachusetts, if not written down explicitly, the definition is prone to distortion. Men can and do stretch the truth to suit their own purposes. Two hundred and fifty years ago it was understood that marriage is a contract between a man and a woman. Today, we deny the difference between men and women, just as we deny that a fetus is a human life.
The change in the definition of marriage in a few states is not the first assault on the moral base of this country as reflected in the Bill of Rights. Our freedom of religion and freedom of speech have been under attack in this country for the past 60 years. Every effort has been made to suppress religious speech in our schools and public places. Atheists are attempting to remove any reference to God from all public forums. The Democratic congress continually threatens to use FCC rules such as the Fairness Doctrine to suppress free speech rather than protect it. On August 6, 2009, four Service Employees International Union (SEIU) (A union with a large healthcare worker membership) members assaulted Mr. Kenneth Gladney for selling "Don't Tread on Me" merchandise outside of a town hall meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, where the subject under discussion was the proposed health care bill. The Administration is collecting e-mail and web addresses from "snitches" under the pretence of wanting to correct misinformation about the health care bill. These are all infringements on our first amend right of free speech.
The Obama administration has also set its sights on gun regulation, as if the prohibition of guns within city limits was not enough of an assault on the second amendment. It may seem unthinkable, but the time may come when we may have to defend ourselves from our own government. And without guns, the citizenry becomes the servant to the government rather than the master.
After re-reading the Bill of Rights, I ask is it not now the time to come to its defense. As James Madison stated, "I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." Be careful America, the slope is getting steeper and soon we may be at the point of no return.
Joseph L. Conigliaro
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