Thursday, March 3, 2011

Father of the Constitution--James Madison

Please give me your thoughts on the following quote from James Madison--"A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth....and what no just government should refuse."

56 comments:

hannah said...

I thik this quote means that the Bill of Rights states your inalienable rights in the Constitution. These 10 amendments should not be denied to you in any circumstances in a fair and equal government. Every government in any country with sense should have this Bill of Rights, and so that is part of what makes America a country many people living elsewhere want to come to.

Julien said...

It means that a Bill of Rights is more than just a document it is a list of items that belong to each and every person on earth. Their rights. Your rights are the one thing you have a right to no matter what they allow you to live and do as you wish and they are something no lawful government that respects its citizens should take away.

Mahesh said...

The meaning I derive from this quote is that a Bill of Rights is very important to any functioning government. The reason this is so important is that it protects the rights of citizens and maintains the peace and if the citizens aren't happy then governments are overthrown.A just government would never refuse this because they know that citizens rights need to be protected and they wouldn't want the people to be unhappy so in order to maintain the peace they would create their very own Bill of Rights.

Austin Cieszko said...

In saying this quote, James Madison is basically telling everyone what a bill of rights truly is and why we should have it. He says that every government on earth should contain a bill of rights. He tells us that no matter who you are, everyone deserves a proper bill of rights and that no government should ever refuse granting one to their country.

Ali Futter said...

In my opinion, this quote means that the Bill of Rights is something that everyone--no matter what color their skin is or what religion they practice--is allowed to have certain inalienable rights. These rights provide people with the knowledge that they are citizens of their country and have the same rights as everyone else. James Madison is also saying that any government that denies people these rights can be considered unjust and unequal.

Lauren said...

I think that this quote means that the bill of Rights is vital to every citizen in our country without these we wouldnt know what rights we have. When he said "A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to" I think that he means that without our 10 Amendments we wouldnt have the freedom of speech or Right of search and seizure regulated, I think that this was a brilliant quote and this really shows that we should all understand our amendments because they were made for us.

Mariel Berger said...

I think that this quote is saying how important the bill if rights is and what impact it has on each person. The government isn't able to take these rights away from one person under any circumstances which makes that that much greater. In other places of the world people are ordered by the bigger power to do what the say. The bil of right is one of the major reasons people all over the world want to leave the home and come to America for a better life.

Anonymous said...

I think this quote is stating the importance of the creation of the Bill of Rights and how much it means to this country and how it has a personal impact to each person in the United Country. These rights are to be used a expressed by each American Citezen. These rights are basic and are given to each citezen to let them live a free life. The Government is not allowed to take away or prevent anyone from expressing these rights in a calm and non harming way. In most other places people do not have total freedom in their country. James Madison is also saying that it gives people freedom and basic rights but the government can also keep the country equal and just if people abuse these rights.

Josh Ford said...

James Madison is saying, quite simply, that a bill of rights is the concept of whatever any country is willing to give to their citizens, and to have in writing exactly what they are granted the ability to do, and that any fair nation should have one, or something similar.

johnny M said...

I think that this quote is stating how essential the bill of right is to every citizen of this country. The reason it is so important is because it protects every citizens rights. A just goverment would allow this because they know that all citizens rights deserve protection. The citizens of other country's would be more protected if they all had a bill of rights.

Jenny G said...

This quote is saying that the government gives people right and that they can't be said no to. They're inalienable rights. We need our Bill of Right or else we won't be happy. People want and need rights, they want freedom. They don't have this in other places of the world. In other places people have a government where someone rules everyone, it's not fair. The U.S,'s government, democracy, should be everywhere because it is fair and the people have a say.

Olivia Savitz said...

I feel that the meaning of this quote is that the Bill of Rights is very vital to any well-functioning government. The reason a government is so important is because it guards and protects the basic needs and rights of citizens and keeps civilization under peace. If the people under the rule of government arn't happy, then they are overthrown. Without the Bill of Rights, (containing the 10 amendments), we wouldn't have our basic civil rights such as freedom of speech. Overall, i feel this quote was well said and a very accurate statement.

Katie McNulty said...

This quote means that people everywhere should have a Bill of Rights like we do. It is also saying that every government should take the time to make one. The Bill of Rights is very important to the United States. People in other countries deserve to have the opportunities that we do.

Marc said...

I believe that the quote is saying how the A Bill of Rights is the most important thing that a person is entitled to. Also that every single government should have one. In addition, every government should every citizen of any country or nation should have there rights.

Anonymous said...

The Bill Of Rights is very important to the government in many ways. It helps protect the people of the country and the peace we are thankful for. If any of this is not being allowed in any state, then these people are being: 1. Unfair and 2. Not following the Bill Of Rights. You are basically entitled to whatever you want to do (that’s legal). People deserve to have their rights- they are here to protect you against any harm that may come about. I think that James Madison was very wise in saying these words.

nick said...

A just government would never refuse a bill of rights to their citizens. The reason for this is because without a bill of rights, the citizens would have no rights and they would become angry and rebel like they did in Egypt. People are entitled to a bill of rights because they deserve to live in a country where they have something to protect them.

Giulia said...

I think that this quote is very complex. There are a few different ways to look at it. It’s as if James Madison is trying to spread the success the Bill of Rights had with the USA to other countries. The Bill of Rights is a sturdy backbone to our country and helps define the basic and inalienable rights of each citizen. He’s trying to show that any country with sense should have some form of the Bill of Rights attached to their government. It just makes more sense to give something to the people, to make them feel secure, rather than have the people feel lower and less important than the government.

tconheeney said...

This means that the Bill of Rights is what every country needs to balance out what there constitution says, and give each person there own inalienable right. The bill of right gives each peson that is a member of the United States Rights that appelas to them. Some statements that are in the constitution does not apply to modern day life anymore. The Bill of right will always apply to modern day life because its what each member of the United States needs to survive.

nolan murray said...

I believe this quote was meant that the Bill of RIghts includes your unalienable rights. Also says that the Bill of Right and Constitution are living documents they with the time and different generations. All citizens of our great country are entitled to these rights and shall not have them taken away. The bill of Rights is the blueprint for our government this allows us to have a just government and the United States and a few other countries have equal rights.

Anonymous said...

I think this quote means that the Bill of Rights is something inalienable, something the government cannot deny you to have. It is has a similar case to the inalienable rights, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No government is allowed to deny you your rights, no matter where you are, or what color of your skin. A government becomes a dictatorship if anyone in under their rule does not receive their rights that they deserve.

James said...

I think that this quote means that there shouldn't have to be something to tell you your rights you should be allowed these rights no madder what. At the end of the quote it says, "and what no just government should refuse", i think that means that not only should our government be giving these rights to people but that all governments should do this. I feel that this is why so many people want to come to America. Its because of all the rights the American's get that others don't.

Ctmera said...

What James Madison meant by that is that everyone who should have their natural rights of the human capability deserve to have a bill of rights of some sort. James Madison thought that everyone should have their individual rights and every government should grant those rights, otherwise that government is not a proper government. In layman's terms, everyone entitled to their rights should be given them by the government. A bill of rights is a civil, idealistic concept which we are lucky to have in order to be diverse individuals.

Andrew Savage said...

I feel James Madison was trying to say that while a government is a necessary evil, there should be something to protect the people so the government couldn't control everyone. The Bill of Rights and its ten just amendments are the protectors of the people in this case, and they should always protect the people from their government. He is also saying that no government should refuse it, because having complete power can lead to horrible things.

Mason Propper said...

I think that this quote means that the Bill of Rights is a document that grants you your unalienable rights. These ten amendments are not allowed to be taken away in any circumstances. James Madison also means that no matter who you are you deserve a Bill of Rights to protect you from the government yet no government should ever refuse giving it to their people.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, this quote expresses that everybody has certain rights that can't be taken away under certain conditions. For instance, freedom of speech-however you cant yell fire in a crowded movie theater.Also he is trying to say that the Bill of Rights is vital to any functioning government.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, this quote means that every citizen is in titled to their basic rights, given in the Bill of Rights. Our government could not deny any person their rights, regardless of race, skin color religion or any other reason. The Bill of Rights keeps peace in this country and it also empowers people so that the government cannot have all of the power. This is an inspiring quote, from my point of view.

Tully said...

I think this was a very powerful quote. He is sticking up for the people. It saying that your born with these rights, if your a citezen of the USA, and dont let anyone take those rights form you, no matter what. These rights allow you to do things, but if you abuse them, then you can punished for disobeying them. You have to choose your words, and actions carefully.

John Tooher said...

This quote is talking about how important a bill of rights truly is. It is saying that everyone must have rights and they are essential to any government system.Every person has these rights and it nobody can take these rights away from you. It is also saying that if any government were take away these rights then they are partial.

Greg said...

This quote means that people everywhere should have a Bill of Rights like we do. It is also saying that every government should take the time to make one. The Bill of Rights is very important to the United States. People in other countries deserve to have the opportunities that we do.

Vicky:D said...

This quote means that the Bill of Rights is much more then just words on paper, but its a list of many different things, that as an American citizen you are entitled to no matter what the government says. The government cannot take these rights away from you, and it protects every citizens rights. There may be certain limitations within these rights, but the full right can never be taken away. For example, freedom of speech, this right lets you say what you would like to say within reason. You cannot yell fire in a movie theatre because it may harm others, however you are allowed to express your feelings using words. You are basically allowed to say whatever you would like, as long as it is not harming others. The same goes for most rights and I think the Bill of Rights and this quote is very important.

$@rÃ…h said...

I think what James Madison is saying is that everyone living on the earth is entitled to their inalienable rights, and no government should take them away. The Bill of Rights is essential so that the people of our country are aware of the rights we have, and are rightfully given. This is what makes our country great, because citizens in other countries are not allowed to say or do certain things offending the government without severe punishment. What James Madison is saying is that every country, like ours, should be expected to have a Bill of Rights.

luke price said...

I think he meant that all citizens of any government have rights, because it is what defines citizenship. Without rights, we are all just slaves and we have a dictatorship instead of a fair government. So, these rights are needed in order to keep order in the government and the country.

Lauren F said...

What Madison means when he says this is that for government to be fair and give everyone equal opportunity the constitution must make everyones rights clear. Everyone is entitled to a list of rights that the the people of the union decide upon. He is also saying that for the government to stay fair, these rights can never be denied.

Chris said...

I think this quote means that a bill of rights is a god given rights and no one on earth can take that away from you. Once you have rights they can never, no matter what no government can take it away from you. He is also saying that every country needs a bill of rights so that the people have the right to speak out against the government. the government is a necessary evil to protect individual rights.

Anonymous said...

What James Madison is saying is that the ten Amendments listed in the Bill of Rights can never be taken away from you no matter what the situation is. This is important because you know nobody can take those amendments away from you. When he says "what no governments should refuse" means that a proper functional government should be run this way.

Alex Currie said...

I think that this comment means that their are certain rights that all people deserve and need if a country is to function as a democracy. It also means that no government should stop people from having these rights because governments should want freedom for their people.

Henry Catchpole said...

I think that the quote means that the Bill of Rights is very important to everyone in the world and that everyone should have it and that the government would be evil if they did give these necessary rights.

Keli said...

'A bill of rights is what people are entitled to against every government on earth and what no government should refuse'. I think that the bill of rights means that people, any human being, are given rights for a reason and no one can take them away.

TUCKER GOUIN said...

The quote is saying that the bill of rights is the unalienable rights that every person is entitled too. When a government refuses to give you your unalienable rights than it is like an evil god who can control everything you do and take everything you have just like that. A bill of rights in every government across the world is needed because it will keep everything fair and just. Also, in the constitution I am surprised they didn't have something like it.

kendra scotti said...

I believe that when James Madison said this quote about the Bill of Rights he is saying that every nation on this earth should have one. I believe this because when he says "A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth...". It also is trying to say that other nations need it because it can help them as for the citizens who live there.

Anonymous said...

In the quote "A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth...and what no just government should refuse I think that James Madison is trying to say that everyone around the world is naturally entitled to their own inviolable principles, that the government cannot take away. The Bill of Rights is fundamental, its necessary for a working society. It gives the people an explanation as to the rights that people have, and are given. The Bill of Rights ensures the protection of others. James Madison is saying that all countries should have a Bill of Rights because its crucial to a working, functioning, and fair government system.

Annie Love! said...

I think it means when James Madison is saying this, he is talking about our inalienable rights. Inalienable rights are rights you are entitled to when you are born. But they can be taken away from you later on after you are born. And every government should let U.S citizens have their own rights.

ali weiner said...

I think that he meant that every person is entitled to rights and no government can take that away. No matter who you are or what you look like, we all deserve rights, and a bill of rights provides the protection we all deserve. He also spoke about the government and the role they play in our rights. The government once took away the rights that american citizens are entitled to. Now, the government can't refuse our rights as citizens, and that just shows how far we have come as a country.

tcat said...

I believe that it means that all of us (the people) should have our rights and we should never be denied of these rights. What it means is that we earn these rights by living and no government nor king/person should be able to ignore these or go against them. Our rights are so important because they protect us under the law and the first ten amendments. We all have basic rights when we are born and what Madison is saying is that we shouldn't be denied of them. Lastly he is saying that even though we are our own government every other country should look at us and try and make a bill of rights just like ours. This frustrates many citizens of foreign countries and that is why there are wars and lots of immigrants from different countries in our own.

Sienna said...

This quote is saying that everyone in the U.S. is entitled to every right no matter the race or gender. It says that everyone is equal, well should be equal, no matter what. Every amendment should be applicable to every citizen of the United States. A government should always stick to what they believe in which is what the bill of rights entitles.

Jamie Schwartz said...

My thought on this quote are that James Madison is 100% correct about this, everyone on earth is entitled to them, no matter what government they are controlled by. It is also correct how no government should refuse it, everyone deserves inalienable rights.

Ethan! said...

It means that a Bill of Rights is more than just a document, but a list of items that belong to each and every citizen of the united states. Madison says that every government on earth should contain a bill of rights. He is saying that these rights are higher than any government that exists.

Jcarnavalla said...

I think that this quote mean that in the bill of rights it states all of your rights that you should have. In America these rights should be given to everybody. He is also saying that no government should take these right away from people.

ariana said...

I think this quote means that the bill of rights is more than just a document. Everyone is entitled to it. He is saying that every government should have one. The no government should refuse to have one.

Frances said...

I think that this quote means that Bill of Rights is not just some simple list you see every day. It applies to every person on this earth, it the rights of men. Every governments needs to have a Bill of Rights in order for the citizens of their countries to be equal, to have equal rights.

Henry Bray said...

It is saying that all of the rights that we have should not be taken away. but there should be some limitation they should not be taken away. it is more than just a document it give us our freedom and we should not have it taken away.

Luke Pritchard said...

What it means is that the Bill of Rights states your inalienable rights in the consitution. Your rights are things that every person lives with and recieves no matter their living conditions or their wealth. Your rights are something that are given to you no matter the type pf person you are and there is no one that can take that away from you.

Kate said...

I think that this quote means that the Bill of Rights tells any reader what every persons inalienable rights are. It is important to all citizens because it also allows the citizens to speak out against the government and things they don't think are just or right. Without a doubt, the Bill of Rights is one of the most important documents ever written.

poooookah said...

I believe that this quote from James Madison is pretty much stating to everyone what a bill of rights actually is and why we need this "bill of rights" to function. James Madison says that every government on the earth planet should concoct a bill of rights. He tells us, the citizens of America that no matter who you are and what your job may be, everyone deserves a proper bill of rights and that no government should ever refuse to allow their country a document of rights to their country.

Star :) said...

This quote means that the rights that you are given as soon as you are born cannot be taken away under no law or anything. The first 10 amendment define citizenship and who you are as a person.

Joey said...

I think that James Madison's quote means that the Bill of Rights is of unbelievable importance. The Bill of Rights is something all citizens are ENTITLED to, meaning that it is not a privilege to have them. I agree with what he said. The Bill of Rights is very, very important. The sad truth, however, is that some governments do not have a Bill of Rights. That is not okay.