We embrace and enjoy many checks and balances that fundamentally grant us protections from an overbearing government that oppresses its citizens. This is how we started 225 years ago. Just four years after our constitution was ratified, it was lawfully amended by the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The basic framework divides powers and duties among three equal branches: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. It was designed this way for the single reason of assuring no one person or government agency exercises exclusive powers while presiding over its people. Yes a civilization needs laws protecting its citizens but the honorable position of elected or appointed official is never very far away from tyrannized behavior. We have witnessed throughout world history dozens of examples of dictators ruling the people with an iron first.
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely and absolute power is the very definition of tyranny. The world examples include inhumane, harsh and strict punishment. Right now the United States mandated absolute punishment that is strict and harsh, intolerant through mandatory minimum sentences. The reader can find each of those terms in the dictionary defining ‘tyranny.’
For those opposing a despotic leader, there are, sadly, also dozens of examples of genocide where the leaders torture, execute and/or enslaves its citizens. Every nation, at one time in history has been guilty of this conduct.
The reader is invited to comment on whether mandatory minimum sentences are strict, tough, mandated and severe examples of intolerant sentences where the judge has no discretion except to follow the prosecutor’s (Executive) or Legislature’s sentences for life. The executive and legislative branches elect its representatives as often as every two years. It is only U.S. Senators that are elected for a longer, six-year term. Which one is governed by public opinion and which is free to do what is right, not necessarily those elected officials more accountable and therefore more liable to do the will of the voters?
Key Amendments to the United States Constitution
December 15, 1791:
Bill of Citizens Rights:
1. Freedom of speech, religion, press, etc.
2. Right to keep and bear arms.
3. The conditions for quartering soldiers.
4. Right of search and seizure.
5. Provisions regarding the prosecution of an individual.
6. Right to a speedy trial.
7. Right to trial by jury.
8. Provision against excessive bail and cruel punishment before trial.
9. Rule of construction regarding the constitution; and
10. The rights of the states under the Constitution.
2. Right to keep and bear arms.
3. The conditions for quartering soldiers.
4. Right of search and seizure.
5. Provisions regarding the prosecution of an individual.
6. Right to a speedy trial.
7. Right to trial by jury.
8. Provision against excessive bail and cruel punishment before trial.
9. Rule of construction regarding the constitution; and
10. The rights of the states under the Constitution.
December 6, 1865: 13th Amendment: Abolish slavery and involuntary genocide
JJuly 9, 1868: 14th Amendment: Blacks as well as whites are citizens of the United States. No state shall abridge privileges or deprive its citizen of life, liberty or property without due process of law.
February 3, 1870: 15th Amendment: Cannot deprive citizens of voting because of race, color or previous condition of servitude.
JJanuary 23, 1964: 24th Amendment: No denial of voting privilege because of poll or other taxes which were established typically to keep certain classes of people from voting.
