MISSOURI WATCH: MAYBE WEE NEED A BILL OF RESPONSIBILITIES

This is the season of the year in which we Americans celebrate the founding of our nation. We do it by getting into our cars and driving hundreds of miles to celebrate in the midst of strangers as we camp, swim, fish, bike, golf and hike, all the while feasting on charred meat that has been overcooked over an outdoor fire. At the end of this celebratory period, we are exhausted, sunburned and anxious to hibernate within the confines of our air-conditioned homes until another year rolls around. At which time we will repeat all of the above as we "celebrate" this hallowed moment in American history.

It goes without saying that we Americans don't have much time to reflect on our independence, the Bill of Rights or the American Constitution. We postpone any serious thought until such time as we are able to focus on the meaning of citizenship, democracy and representative government. Unfortunately, for most of us, that time never seems to arrive.

Oh, it isn't that we don't already know about the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which are called the Bill of Rights, but most of us don't realize that the various colonial legislatures wouldn't agree to the original Constitution unless there were important provisions added. Among these, of course, are the tenets of a free society: the right to choose and observe our own religious faiths, the right to express our opinions without fear of reprisal, the right to assemble and the right as free citizens to redress of our grievances.

These are wonderful freedoms, and there are few among us who do not appreciate such extraordinary rights, although they have been around so long that we are bound to forget the price that was paid to secure them or the responsibilities they demand from those who receive them.

Most of us also believe the Bill of Rights includes the right to vote. As a matter of fact, if you listen closely to a citizen rattle off his rights under the this charter, the right of franchise is often mentioned. Most know we have the right to vote, and most know it came from the Bill of Rights, although most are also wrong. The basic Constitution set out the qualifications for voting and they did not include more than half of the colonial population. It was a little over a century before slaves were given citizenship, and we also somehow forget, or never knew, that women have only had the right to vote since the third decade of this century. Universal suffrage in America has only been in existence 77 years.

This may come as heresy to traditional governmentalists, but isn't it time we added a few paragraphs to the Bill of Rights, calling these new codicils the Bill of Responsibilities? Who among us has not observed that with rights come responsibilities, with freedoms come obligations? Well, is there anyone among us who has not staunchly defended his rights or freedoms? How about observing some responsibilities and obligations, just to make sure our rights remain intact?

Here are suggestions for codicils to the first Bill of Rights. Feel free to add your own.

Article I: The people reaffirm their responsibility, as well as their right, to protect freedom of religion for even the most unpopular beliefs. They also recognize the responsibility they bear, while exercising the right of free speech, to be fully informed on issues under discussion. Citizens who fail to inform themselves of the issues shall not be accorded this right until becoming fully knowledgeable.

Article II: The right to bear arms does not include the right of manufacturers and retailers to sell deadly weapons to those engaged in crime, those of unsound mind and those who have a history of irresponsible behavior. These restrictions are added to preserve the safety of citizens who have the right to be safe, whether within their own homes and communities.

Article III: Americans have the right to protest the expenditure of public resources for armies, weapons and military expenditures that are not required for national defense and essential to the preservation of our nation. Furthermore, no president, save in response to a congressionally confirmed national emergency, may unilaterally send troops into battle.

Article IV: No federal agency may arbitrarily seize or occupy property belonging to any citizen, whether in pursuit of environmental or other safety measures, without proper judicial sanction and independently approved compensation. This also includes the expenditure of federal funds for program that have not received prior approval from the Congress. Such approval of programs shall extend for 12 months, at the end of which, congressional renewal is required annually.

Article V: Citizens who expect to exercise all of the prerogatives of citizenship, including criminal justice protections, shall not enjoy extraordinary privileges such as delay of the right of the state to carry out the wishes of qualified jurors and rulings of the courts.

Article VI: The power of federal courts shall not be curtailed by either the executive or legislative branches of government, but court membership shall be restricted to qualified candidates who shall serve for periods not to exceed 10 years, and may, under no condition, serve lifetime terms.

Article VII: Powers delegated to the federal government shall be specifically detailed by the legislative branch, with the approval of the highest court, or by amendment to the Constitution. No implied power shall be exercised by the federal government without approval of the Congress and Supreme Court.

Article VIII. Recognizing the obligation of freedom, voters shall display knowledge of issues and individuals involved, confirmed by successfully answering basic questions before voting. Ignorance of issues and candidates suspends voting rights until essential information is gained.

Article IX: No candidate for any public office may spend more than 1 cent per campaign for each electoral constituent.

Article X: All political parties are hereby dissolved.

~Jack Stapleton of Kennett is the editor of Missouri News and Editorial Service.