Monday, January 4, 2010




Which of the ten amendments in the Bill of Rights do you feel is the most essential for citizens? Defend your answer with at least two reasons/examples.

55 comments:

  1. To me, the most important amendment is number one; the freedom of speech, religion, press, petition, and assembly. This is an important amendment because it gives special rights to people that a lot of other countries don't have. It also allows people to petition if they think something is wrong, it lets them have whatever religion they like, and to say the things that they think is right. To have a successful government for both the citizens and leaders, this amendment is necessary.

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  2. The ten amendments listed in the Bill of Rights are essential to the everyday life of Americans. They govern what abilities citizens exercise, and protects them from abusive rule. But which of these rights carries the most weight? Perhaps the First Amendment was named so because it is the number one most critical amendment to the Constitution. The First Amendment states that citizens have freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and peaceful assembly. All of these freedoms allow the average person to have control over worship, as well as the ability to have their opinions be heard. If the First Amendment did not exist, people would not be able to follow the religious path they wanted, instead being forced to recognize a deity or philosophy that they did not enjoy. Another reason why this amendment is the most important is because of its acceptance of the individual’s opinion. With it, people are allowed to convene and express their thoughts about policies, laws, and how the government is being run.

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  3. I'd first like to say that you've picked a tough one this time. I would have to choose...the first amendment. I select this amendment because it affects the public more then any other in the Bill of Rights. With it, we can talk how we like, the freedom of speech, practice the religion we like, the freedom of religion, write what we like, the right of the press, and it gives us the right to peacefully gather freely, the right to assembly. These are essential, because they protect the rights of the public. If we didn't have the first amendment, the government could bully us around, and this amendment prevents that. We are lucky, because certain countries don't have these freedoms.

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  4. I believe that Amendment I is the most essential to the citizens of the United States. This states that citizens have the freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly. Freedom to practice religion is one of the great things we have here in the United States. People can practice whichever religion they choose, and they can do it freely. Another reason why this amendment is so important is because freedom of speech is very important in our country. I believe that it is important to express your views without restraint on religion or the government. Overall, some people might think this amendment is not as important as others but I believe people should have freedom to certain things any day.

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  5. I think that the 2 article in the Bill of Right is the most essential. If someone were too come on too your property and threaten or rob you I think you should be able to do something about it. Having the right to bear arms is very important and it makes people safer in their homes.

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  6. I personally believe the the first Amendment is the most important out of all ten of them. It is extremly important for everyone to have right of speach, religion, and assembly. Without any of these the country wouldn't be free. Whats more is that without freedom of speach, much of society would be controlled by the government, and the government would also be able to control what religion wveryone beleives in. Finally their would be few assemblies left, and overall the U.S. government would be an all ruling government.

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  7. I believe that the first article is the most important. If a person were not able to speak their mind, then that would mean that they would be being untrue to themself. To have a country that supports something like that... is that truly a free country? I believe freedom is the ability to be who you want without the opinions of others getting in the way of your dreams. That is the importance of the first amendment. That is the American dream.

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  8. I think that the first amendment, freedom of religion, speach, press, petition and assembly, is the most important. It is the main amendments that allows each American citizen their own rights to express themselves the way they want. It really shows that we are a free country by letting us live our lives the way we think is right.

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  9. I think that the most essential of the ten amendments is having freedom of speech. This has been important throughout American history and also history throughout the world. People like Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln helped with future American society, but without freedom of speech they would not have been able to do that. It is also something, that may keep things in order. Some amendments like the right to bear arms, has caused many crimes, and casualties in American history.

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  10. I believe that the first article of the Bill of Rights is most important. I think this because that gives us the right to say what we want, to praise who we want, and to assemble when we want. Withoout this, i belive that we would all be told what to do by our government and would never say anything back to them. We would also be told who to worship even if you dont belive in that religion or just dont want to be part of a religion. Last, we would never hold assemblies to work for the better cause, like as if to fight a law that you dislike or to fight a mayor that is unfair. So i think that article one is the best one because it gives us the most options to do what we want and we can fight back with it.

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  11. Aritcle one is the most important to the citizens because they can say what they belive in and stand up for what they belive in. Citizens can also practice religious ceremonies of there own and do not have to be a part of a religion if they do not want to.

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  12. Article one is the most important because freedom of speech is very important because people can stand up for what the believe in. and standing what we believe in is what people need to do.

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  13. I think that the second one is the most essential for citizens to have. I thinkl that way beacause people should always have the right to have protection. They should have protection with them in case someboidy attacts them so they can protect themselves.

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  14. I think that article II, the rite to bear arms and militia, is the best because the citizens need to defend themselves. Also, the United States needs to defend itself.

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  15. I think that the first amendment in the Bill of Rights is the most important. It is the amendment that gives us the freedom to say what we want to and to practice the religion we want to. Without the first amendment we couldnt do many of the things we are able to do know like go to church if you are catholic or go print posters and flyers with your opinions on certain topics.

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  16. I believe that article one is the best becuase it gives the freedom of speech,religion.press participation,and assembely. Its important for peole to express thier feelimgs through speech if not affending others.People also have the write of practicing thier own religion and not get forced to practice something they dont even believe in

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  17. The first amendment is definatly the most important. It is the right to freedom of speech, religion, press, petition, and assembly. This is the right that states that if you want to speak out about something, then you can. It lets you be any religoin you want, and it also lets the world know what is happening by the freedom of press.

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  18. The first amendment of the Bill of Rights is, to me, the most essential. If we could not practice our own religion, then Americas population would be a lot smaller. The freedom to say what we want spreads the information about presidents running for office, and the pros and cons of each president in office.

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  19. I think the right for a jury trial is the most important and essential for citizens. I think it is because if someone gets in trouble or does somthing against the law they get to go to court to plead there innocents. Also someone cant be sent to jail without a trial, so you cant be proven guilty until a trial.

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  20. The Bill or Rights article 1 is very important because have freedom of speech always you to say what you want to say without anyone else telling you other words. Such as when people say bad or mean stuff about someone or something that is their own opinion. Freedom of Speech is very important because I like to speak my mind and tell people the truth and when the bill or rights has the freedom of speech article it lets me know that it’s okay, to say what I feel I’ve seen people on the street speaking that opinion.

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  21. The first amendment from the Bill of Rights because this amendment allows citezens to speak their minds. The freedom of speech allows Americans to have opinions without getting in trouble with the law. Also, if they weren't able to practice their religion they would leave this country.

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  22. The first amendment is the most important because it ultimately defends citizens' rights to do many things that people in other countries could not do. The freedom of speech is important for people to be able to speak out and voice their own toughts. The freedom to assemble is important because people should be able to gather and voice their beliefs (freedom of religion)in convincing numbers. Then they could speak out to government as their right to petition and publish freely in the press is protected.

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  23. The most important amendment in the Bill of Rights would probably be the frist amendment, for various reasons. Every citizen in the United States has different ideas and opinions for every single topic in thier lives. Article I states that you have the right of "Freedom of speech, religion,press, petition and assembly." All of the amendments are important, but people need to be able to speak thier mind and opinion and not get punished for it. The republican and democratic parties have to speak thier minds to hear what each side as to say. The same goes for religion, and many more sides of politics. Overall all ten amendments are important, but the first article sticks out the most.

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  24. The first ten ammendments of the constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. The first ammendment is the freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. The second ammendment is tthe right to keep and bear arms. The third ammendment is the conditions for quarters of soldiers. The fourth ammendment is the protection from unreasonable search and seizure. The fifth ammendment guarantees that you can't be punished without due trial. The sixth ammendment is the right to a speedy trial. The seventh ammendment is right to a trial by jury. The eighth ammendment is protection from cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail. The ninth ammendment is rule of construction of constitution. The tenth ammendment is the rights of states under the constitution. I think that the first ammendment is the most important, because this allows americans to truly be free and believe in what they want to believe in. This provides security for every American, it is what truly makes America, America.

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  25. The first amendment is the most essential to American citizens or any free person. Without expressing yourself America wouldn’t be the same. I feel like this amendment shows the most freedom. These freedoms allow everyone to be a unique individual, which is in necessary a creative and intelligent society.

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  26. I think that the most important amendment to me would be freedom of speech. The reason that I think freedom of speech is the most important amendments is because if e didn’t have freedom of speech we wouldn’t be able to say what we thought. If people did something that we didn’t like we wouldn’t be able to say what we thought.

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  27. I think that the Fourth Amendment is essential for citizens because the police can't go searching through peoples houses without a warrant or probable cause. The warrant must describe the place to be searched and the things and person to be seized.

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  28. Article 1 is the most essencial for citizens. Its most essencial because it talks about freedom of speech, religion, and petition. Freedom of speech is important to citizens because we all have a right to talk whenever we want. It also talks about religion. Everybody should be able to choose their own religion which is why this is essencial. Without these rules citizens wouldn't be free. In petition, I think it talks about documentation, about freedom like the Declaration of Independence. The 1st Article was important to civilians.

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  29. I feel that the first amendment in the bill of rights is the most essential for citizens. I believe this because in other countries if they speak out against the government they could be killed. People also make petitions to make new laws, which gives citizens the right to change things.

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  30. The Bill of Rights is a key part of what makes the United States what it is. However, out of all ten of them, the first article is most important. Article I guarantees the freedom of speech, religion, press, petition and assembly. This is why the U.S. stands out form other countries. Article I also sets up several of the other articles. Other countries do not have the privileges of doing certain things because they lack the freedom that this article guarantees U.S. citizens. The freedom of speech, religion, press petition, and assembly is exactly what freedom is.

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  31. The most critical amendment to the Constitution is the first amendment because it gives people the right to say what they believe, believe in what they believe in, write what they would like to write, disagree and petition what they want to petition, and assemble in groups when they feel like it. It gives people rights that are essential to what the United States was established on, and what it is based on today. The first Europeans to come to America were fleeing from religious persecution. Also, we don’t have to agree with the government if we don’t want to. This is because of the first amendment. Without the first amendment, we may have to agree with everything the government said, and we may even have to all believe in the same religion. Without the first amendment, all of the things that America is known for today and all of the things that we, as Americans, are so thankful for would not exist. We wouldn’t be the wonderful and free country we are today.

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  32. I think the most important amendment in the Bills of Rights would be the freedom of speech. Because citizens need the right to give thoughts and conclusions in order to make things better. If we didn’t have freedom of speech people would have to keep things to themselves and if they wanted to say something about the way our country runs they wouldn’t be able to and maybe the country would go back to the way Britain was ruling and people’s thoughts would have to be kept to themselves.

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  33. For the most part I believe all of the ten amendments are very important but to me Article I mentions a lot of rights that I think are very important. The freedom of speech, religion, religion, press, petition, and assembly are things all humans should have. The one I think is most important is freedom of speech. Having freedom of speech means that you have the right to speak your mind. It means being able to defend yourself and your opinions. This doesn’t mean you can be disrespectful to whomever you want. It means that with a good reason and in a respectful way you can speak your mind. Speaking my mind is very important to me because I have my own perspective on the world and no one knows what I am thinking. This is why I think that out of all of the amendments freedom of speech is the most important.

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  34. I think that the most important rights to have are freedom of speech, this is important becuase you cannot get in trouble for saying something that is wrong to someone else in public. I also think that the right to religion is important so the government cannot force people to believe in one religion, and if you do not agree with the religion you cannot be put in jail or worse.

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  35. Every single amendment is very important for our government to run successfully and not have too much power. However the one that is the most important of all is the first amendment which is freedom of religion, speech, press, and the freedom to petition the government as well as assemble peacefully. This is most important because without these things people are suppressed and cannot state their views without the fear of being punished. This is also the most important because without these rights the government would become an ultimate power, just like a king, and would virtually take away the freedom in our country. That is why the first amendment is the most important.

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  36. On the Bill of Rights the first Amendment is the most essential to citizens because it gives them Freedom which is what most of the people ask for. Americans have the right to express their own ideas and to hear the ideas of others. They also have the freedom of assembly. This right allows people to show dissatisfaction with laws or suggest new laws.

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  37. In my opinion I think that the most important amendment is the freedom of speech because I think everyone has a right to state there opinion and how they feel about something. I also think that freedom of speech is also important because in order to learn you have to have everyone's opinion not just one persons opinion.

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  38. The most essential right for citizens is freedom of religion. It is the most important right because nobody is forced to practice a certain religion or practice any religion at all. It is also important because you will not get put in jail for not practicing a certain religion.

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  39. The first amendment to the bill of rights is the most essential for citizens to have. It lists a good deal of the most basic rights that we as human beings have. Tyranny begins when these rights are infringed upon. Also, these rights allow citizens to express their ideas to the government to get other laws changed. This is why that the first amendment is the most important.

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  40. The first amendment in the Bill of Rights is the most essential for American citizens. The first amendment states that Americans have the freedoms of speech, religion, press, petition, and assembly. This ensures that Americans have a voice in the counrty without facing punishment from a tyrant. The freedoms of speech, press, and assembly allow citizens to think freely about government. The freedom of petition allows citizens to have a voice in state or national government which is important to their rights. The freedom of religion allows citizens to practice their own religion without facing harsh punishments of a tyranny. That is why I think the first ammendment is the most essential to American citizens.

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  41. I feel that the first amendment is the most important because it ensures that citizens posses the right to say how they feel and to speak out against the government. Without this right, citizens may not be able to inform their peers about their views and they might be punished by the government for having thoughts and feelings against it. Also, without freedom of speech, there would be no social networking websites. For if something negative was posted about the government one of them, it would probably be shut down. Also, freedom of religion is a very important right. Without freedom of religion, people would be in doubt about their beliefs, and would be criticized for their beliefs and opinions. The freedom of the press is also a main right to have. Publications can print or write anything truthful and not harmful. News broadcasts and videos would also be limited to what the government posts. The right to petition and the right to peaceful assembly are also important to expressing one’s opinions and beliefs. The first amendment ensures the basic, necessary rights of America’s citizens, and that is why it is the most crucial amendment.

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  42. One of the ten amendments in the Bill of Rights that I feel is the most essential for citizens is amendment nine- Right for jury trial. My first reason is that people should go to trial to defend themselves instead of being blamed for something that they couldn't have done.People should also go to trial becuase the judge should decide for them if thier giulty or innesent.Some examples are people who steal something have to go court for the judge can decide what's going to happen to the person who stole. Another example why people should have a right for a jury is really defend yourself for somthing you haven't done.These are just some reasons why people should have a right for a jury.

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  43. The most essential amendment for citizens is Article I, Freedom of speech, religion, press, petition and assembly. I feel that Article I is the most essential because citizens should have the right to do all those things. Article I is also more about what citizens want to choose or follow and what they can do. Citizens should have their own choices and views for what they want, which Article I explains.

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  44. The Fifth Amendment guarantees that the government can't put someone to jail without a trial. I believe the Fifth Amendment is important because this can prove if the accused is innocent or guilty. If the accused is innocent and they don't have a trial, they would just be sent to jail while the real suspect is somewhere in the streets. If the accused was proven guilty, then the judge can sentence the accused to jail with great reasons and evidence. That is why I think the Fifth Amendment is important.

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  45. The first amendment, freedom of speech, religion, press, petition and assembly is what I think to be the most important amendment in the Bill of Rights. It is so because it is the amendment that states an american's basic rights. In this case the basic rights are the most important ones we could ask for because really can you imagine life without saying what you want to say? Plus you wouldn't have a facebook, youtube, or myspace if there was nothing backing up freedom of press. Plus not being able to have your own meetings and talk about whatever you feel the need to talk about is also stated in the first amendment. For these reasons, article one in the Bill of Rights is the most essential of all the amendments.

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  46. I think the most essential amendment to the Bill of Rights is the first amendment. It gives the most rights and also gives people the right to decide for themselves. They can say what they feel, believe in what they want to, and also gather to discuss things they believe in. This amendment basically lets people decide things for themselves. People often speak of how they have “freedom of speech”. These people would not be able to say things like that without the first amendment. Americans would not be free without this amendment. Freedom has been made a symbol for this country and without the first amendment we would not be able to support that symbol.

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  47. If I had to pick one amendment I would think it would be article VII, right to a jury trial for two reasons. Reason one, without this right you might not even have a trial. Reason two, a jury has lots of vocie not just one so you fill safer. that is why I whould pick the right to jury trail.

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  48. I think the most important amendment is the freedom of religion. I think this is the most important one because, I don't think that it's right to be forced to be a certain religion. I think that you should have a choice if you want to be Catholic, Jewish, Christian, or whatever religion you are. I think that it would be just plane weird if someone walked up to you and said "You have to be this religion because I told you so." So I'm glad to live in a country where I can be a religion and feel good about it.

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  49. I think the most essential amendment in the Bill of Rights is Freedom of Speech. When you disagree with something you should be able to state your opinion freely. Also, when something is unfair you should be allowed to voice your own personal opinion on the subject without getting in trouble for it.

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  50. In the Bill of Rights, I believe that the most essential one for citizens is the first, and the ninth. The first talks about how people are allowed to say what they feel is right, they can practice any religion that they believe in nonviolently, publish their thoughts without hurting others, and are allowed to peacefully meet and petition the government. The ninth one says that if someone is accused, they can go to court and have a trial to prove themselves innocent. Those two amendments are, personally, the most important.

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  51. I think that the most important amendment to the Bill of Rights is the first amendment. The right to freedom of speech is very important to the people of the United States because with out the protection of that right, the people of the country would not have the right to present there opinions to the government. Also, people would be scared to disagree with the government. The first amendment is a very fare and important right for the citizens of the United States.

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  52. I think that the most essential amendment in the Bill of Rights is Article 1, freedom of speech, religion, press, petition, and assembly. This is the most important to me because if it wasn’t in the Bill of Rights, people could be hurting other people just because of their religion or because they say what they want to. Another reason is because without being able to have your own religion that you believe, life wouldn’t be fare to you because you wouldn’t be learning the things that you want to be learning. Assemblies are vital because at assemblies people meet and discuss important things and are able to show what you have to show to people. This is why the first amendment in the Bill of Rights is the most essential.

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  53. Out of the ten amendments in the Bill of Rights I think that freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to a lawyer, right to protection from cruel and unusual punishment and protection from self-incrimination. I think that freedom of speech is something we need because Americans have grown into very outspoken people and everyone should have the right to say what they feel without repercussions. Freedom of speech has become something that Americans have grown accustomed too. Freedom of religion is another right that I believe we need. There were so many problems in the past concerning religion and one of the reasons that America is so great is because of all the different types of people and religion. The right to a lawyer is also a big one because if you’re accused of a crime, you need someone to be able to prove that you’re innocent. Occasionally people who aren’t guilty end up going to jail even with the help of a good lawyer, if they no one had a lawyer it’d be even worse. The right to protection from cruel and unusual punishment is something Americans should have because some punishment is just to weird and extreme. The right of protection from self-incrimination is important because no one should be pressured to admit to a crime they didn’t do. Out of all the amendments in the Bill of Rights I think these are the most important even though they all are very important.

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  54. The amendment I think is the most essential for citizens is the first amendment. This amendment tells people that they have freedom of religion and speech. For example congress can’t make laws about people respecting an establishment of religion. This amendment also gives people the right to peaceably assembly. Without this amendment this will not be a free country.

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  55. The most crucial amendment contained in the Constitution would be the first amendment. Though the rights given by this amendment can be twisted into a ill collaborated facade to pull a rather thin veil over the already "blind eyes of justice", to blur the line between slander and freedom of speech, it's not without some due praise. For example, I fear to think of the debilitating state our country would be in if it were not for this very right. To begin with, if not for this law I'm almost certain that the civil rights movement would have been halted at the first protest, that being said it is not unlikely that America would have developed into communistic country, a western Russia if you will. But that would not be the worst of it. Looking at the history of every country where the citizens insight and views are not valued have met a similar fate, the powerful veer down the wrong road, grow grotesquely more apt to abuse the power entrusted to them while the working class's voice is hushed by the ever growing hand of government greed and the entire time the country that had not so long ago praised the names of their representatives, has fully and completely lost sight of the principals and freedoms their ancestors took for granted. Fortunately, our Forefathers foresaw this problem and have made our government one of the few that have truly given the choice of change to the majority and that is precisely the reason it is of almost unparallel importance we ourselves cleave to this right and treasure it, and to give heed it's meaning is not warped or diluted for fear of the above depicted.

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