To the editor:

The Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution) addresses the rights of citizens and the limitations of their government’s power. Originally, the Bill of Rights did not speak to these principles in regard to individual states. This changed after the Civil War Reconstruction Act through the ratification of the 14th Amendment in1868. This extended the provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states as enumerated in part:

“No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

That being the case, when a federal, state or local legislature or entity abuses their authority that infringes on our freedom, liberty and property, why then are “we the people” told that we must go through the court system for redress? Imagine having to hire lawyers to defend ourselves against unconstitutional shenanigans perpetrated by our elected representatives in our federal, state or local government. We are providing them a stipend to protect our rights. Remember, they work for us. Why are they not abiding by the oaths that they took where they solemnly swore that they would support the Constitution of the United States?”

Instead, these representatives appear to think that they are able to circumvent the limitations called for in the US Constitution and thus give themselves the ability to institute statute law that may place unfair regulations on the people. Witnessing our “representatives” abuse/misuse their power, as they have done more recently in our Minnesota state legislature and senate along with the governor should give us pause.

If you want your individual freedom, liberty and property, then demand that your representatives do their Constitutional duty, honor their sacred oath and truly represent and protect you and your rights as the Founders provided for in our Constitution.

Roger Baumann

Wabasso