The Bush Administration has shredded the United States Constitution:

Amendment I to the United States Constitution declares that the government shall not prohibit “the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”  However, the Republican Party’s use of “free speech zones” to isolate protest groups far from political activities is a clear violation of this principle.  Only allowing groups to gather and voice their opinions within certain “zones” is an abridgment of American freedoms guaranteed by Amendment I.

Amendment IV states that “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”  However, as ruled by an American Court, the USA Patriot Act, by allowing the government to easily search internet and telephone records, disregards Americans’ explicit right to security as guaranteed by this amendment.  Recently, even the Supreme Court declared that “a state of war is not a blank check for the president when it comes to the rights of the nation's citizens.”

Amendment VI states that, “in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial.”  Contrary to the beliefs of the Bush Administration, the Constitution does not reserve this right to American citizens.  Thus, holding “enemy combatants” in secrecy for years without charge, access to an attorney, or access to family members is a clear violation of this right.

Amendment VIII, in one sentence, explicitly states that “excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”  Like Amendment VI, this amendment does not reserve this right to American citizens.  The Bush Administration refuses to take responsibility for the prisoner abuses that have occurred in Iraq, which have done nothing to “win the hearts and minds” of the Iraqi people.  In contrast, these abuses have only encouraged terrorism against America.

Amendment XIV states that no state may “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”  However, during the 2000 Presidential election, tens of thousands of African-Americans were disenfranchised and turned away from voting booths in Florida through intimidation and falsified felon rolls.  It is not a surprise that little has been done to correct this injustice, as President Bush, for four years, has refused to address the NAACP, this nation’s chief Civil Rights organization.

The Constitution of the United States declares that the President, “shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:  ‘I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.’”  As demonstrated by the above examples, President Bush has abandoned this commitment.