The Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of American Democracy. Unlike most other Western Democracies, the Bill of Rights is not a document granting rights to citizens from the government, but instead stating the already existing rights of citizens before government. As the progressive-left in the United States loves big-brother style of government, it should be no surprise that they are continuing to show their utter disdain for the Constitution, with the Bill of Rights at forefront of their hissy-fits. Instead of speaking in generalities, it instead seemed more useful to go through the applicable amendments and discuss how the left has shown hate for that particular right in recent years, since they seem determined to undermine as many as they possibly can.
Amendment I
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.
This is most easily seen on the college campuses. Whether it is free-speech hating safe spaces, or persecuting students for supporting Donald Trump with campus wall demonstrations, the left continues to show their support of censorship. Of course they will say that they love free speech, but what that really means is free speech that they agree with. College campuses used to be an environment of learning, of being confronted with ideas that are new or the opposite of what you believe. By being exposed to other viewpoints you could grow, either more soundly into your own beliefs, or into new beliefs that you have been shown. Instead campuses have become an oppressive echo chamber for the left.
Sadly this is all happening not just on college campuses, but out in the real world as well. If you happen to be on the wrong side of the issue many leftists will shout you down, try to put you in the corner, or attack you when you are coming out of a Donald Trump rally. The media has been complicit here as well: instead of reporting on those wishing to silence their political opponents they have instead glorified the criminals involved. The irony here is that progressivism would have never grew without protection from the 1st amendment.
Amendment II
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.
The left has hated the 2nd amendment for the last several decades. When the left gets what they claim they “want” they then move the goalposts. First we “needed” a ban on Assault Rifles. Then we “needed” a ban on “Assault Weapons”, an invented term that has no recognized meaning with the ATF. Thankfully we had a sensible congress that let the latter expire. Unfortunately we are currently fighting a battle on aesthetics: the progressive-left is fighting to ban AR-15s, a particular firearm who’s only crime is superficially resembling a military M-16/4. What many do not realize is that a ban on the AR-15 would absolutely lead to a ban on all semi-automatic weapons, most of which are commonly used as hunting weapons as well as defense weapons.
The most important fact, ignoring that owning firearms is a constitutional right, is that the firearm homicide rate is about half of what it was 20 years ago. This does not fit the narrative, so it is easily thrown aside. When the nation experiences a terrorist act, the left has at every opportunity pushed for more gun control, instead of actually addressing the root of the terrorism.
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.
This has been shown in connection with the left’s hatred of the 2nd. Recently, we have had Democratic Representatives occupy the House floor during recess because a bill they supported did not succeed. What they leave out of this narrative, however, is that this bill would have stripped due process away from anyone unfortunate enough to end up on the no-fly list. The same list that Senator Ted Kennedy, Actor David Nelson, and Representative Don Young have had the misfortune of appearing on by mistake.
Democrats in the House were offered a compromise bill that had a similar effect but allowed for due process hearings for those who contend they are on the list by mistake. House Democrats instead decided to sit on the House floor like children. They has also used this stunt for fundraising purposes with the DNC. The left frequently accuses the right of being obstructionists, but here they have shown that they only care about pandering and fundraising.
So please, next time you seen your Democratic Representative thank them for their hard work in taking away the rights that were so carefully named to you in our founding document.