It’s Bill of Rights Day

On this day in 1791, the Bill of Rights, a series of 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, went into effect when Virginia ratified the document.

Massachusetts lawmakers had refused to ratify the Constitution until its supporters promised to create a Bill of Rights — to be grafted on to the Constitution after the creation of a new federal government.

Since today is Bill of Rights Day, it seems like an appropriate time to pause and consider the actual condition of the safeguards set forth in our fundamental legal charter. This is necessary because too many Americans mistakenly think our Constitution magically restrains the government and keeps it in line. Today is a good day to set aside whatever your political affiliation may be and reflect on how both political parties have been treating the constitutional safeguards they are supposed to be defending.