My Politically Active 14 Year Old, Michael

The First Amendment
Michael Iroz, 7May05

The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States may be the most important of all of the amendments. It gives us the rights that we fought so fiercely for in the American Revolution. It gives us the rights that our nation was founded on, and made us what we are today.

First, is the right to free speech. Everyone likes that one. It gives us the right to say what we want, when we want. It makes sure that everybody’s voice is heard everywhere. Except in Bush’s town hall meetings. But that’s beside the point. It’s a great right, and everyone loves it.

Next in our line up is the right to religious freedom. When our founding fathers lived in England, there was one church. You had to be a member of the Church of England. If you practiced any other religion, you were treasonous. Our founding father said, “That’s not right.” And religious freedom was born. This ensures that all American citizens can practice whatever religion they choose, without being persecuted for it by the government. Everybody likes this one too.

Now we come to freedom of the press. This one’s pretty simple. It says that the press can report whatever they want, and not be persecuted for it. In England, if a newspaper criticized the government or king, they would be imprisoned or killed. Our founding fathers decided this wasn’t right. So our nation decided that our press could say whatever they want. Eat it England.

Freedom of Petition. This one means that if we want something changed, we write it down on a piece of paper, and if enough people sign it we give it to the government, and they change it. It’s great.

Last but not least… Freedom of Assembly! In England, people would meet in secret places, organizing rebellions and such. England decided that they didn’t like that. So they made it illegal to meet together for reasons besides church. Our founding fathers decided that wasn’t right either. So in our country, you can meet wherever and whenever you want.

All in all, this amendment is very important to our country. The rights guaranteed to us in this amendment are the very rights denied to our founding fathers, which led them to get angry at England, which led to our great nation being created.

What would happen if these rights were taken away you ask? Bad things! That’s what! We wouldn’t be able to speak our minds, or practice our religions. The press would have to say what the government would want them to say, and nobody could petition! It would be anarchy!

This Amendment is probably the most important one in our constitution, and though I went about explaining it a little irreverently, I do understand how important all these rights are to our nation, our society, and our very way of life. So forgive me for writing a bad paper.