Americans are spoiled.
Everyone (older than 18) is allowed to vote. We can say what we believe without being arrested. Due processes ensure we get a trial if we break the law. The police can't search us or our property without a reason.
We're lucky. People in many other countries aren't assured these rights.
Americans take for granted the constitutional rights that let them live the way they do, frequently because people aren't aware of those rights. Many people even think the Constitution affords too many rights and should be restricted. It's easy for some of those people to believe that considering they haven't lived in a more oppressive country.
This is Constitution Day, the one day set aside from the rest of the year to celebrate and champion the rights we as Americans get by earning citizenship or simply by being born here. We should be proud of the Constitution, and not take its everyday freedoms for granted.
With the right to peaceably assemble, protestors gathered at the Scramble Light on Friday to speak against a campus-wide smoking ban. All citizens can help choose our nation's president. Mormons, Campus Crusade for Christ members and anyone else can spread word of their religion on campus. The police don't barge into your house for no reason while you sleep because the Constitution protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The Constitution isn't simply a piece of paper a bunch of now-dead guys signed 220 years ago. It's the foundations of our country and way of life. Talk about your rights today. Bring the Constitution up during class and see how it relates to your area of study. Go protest something, just for the fun of being able to. Create an impromptu soapbox and tell the campus community what you think and believe.
Go out and take advantage of your constitutional rights today by using them, but don't forget how fortunate you are to live in a country with so many freedoms.
Additional Information
Full text of the ConstitutionInformation about Constitution Day 2007Constitution quizzesFacts about the Constitution
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
