Pastor Robert L. Thomas, his wife Tracey and daughters, Mariel and Taylor
, one of the most respected leaders in the body of Christ. Dr. Evans discusses how we should be promoting unity to show the world how the body of Christ works,
established Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in 1976 with only ten people in their home. Serving as senior pastor for more than 36 years, Dr. Evans has seen his church grow from 10 to over 9,700 members with 100 plus ministries.
a legendary hook singer and rapper.
, are the founders of Anthony Allen Ministries and one of the "FEATURED SPONSORS" of the
He's worked with just about every big name rapper in Texas. Bishop Anthony A. Allen is an apostolic leader who also serves the community at large as a businessman, entrepreneur, investor, author, and entertainer. He is the founder and president of Anthony Allen Ministries, a ministry called to serve the urban community.
U. S. Senator
Ted Poe, Republican VS.
Niko Letsos, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 2nd Congressional District of Texas at this time. Cecil Anthony Ince is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Congress for District 2.
----------------------------
United States Representative District 7
John Culberson, Republican VS.
James Cargas, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 7th Congressional District of Texas at this time.Gerald Fowler is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Congress for District 7.
-----------------------------
United States Representative District 8
Kevin Brady, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for United States Congress for the 8th Congressional District of Texas. Ken Petty is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Congress for District 8. Congressman Kevin Brady is seeking your vote in this race.
----------------------------
United States Representative District 9
Al Green, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for United States Congress for the 9th Congressional District of Texas. Johnny Johnson is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Congress for District 9.
----------------------------
United States Representative District 10
-----------------------------
United States Representative District 14
Randy Weber, Republican VS.
David Brown, Democrat, and
John Weider, the Libertarian candidate. This is one of our featured races taking place outside of Harris County, Texas. --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 14th Congressional District of Texas at this time.
----------------------------
United States Representative District 18
Sean Seibert, Republican VS.
Sheila Jackson Lee, Democrat --
*Sean Seibert (R) is the only candidate seeking your vote in the race for the 18th Congressional District of Texas at this time.
----------------------------
United States Representative District 22
Pete Olson, Republican VS.
Frank Briscoe, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 22nd Congressional District of Texas at this time. Rob Lapham is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Representative for District 22.
----------------------------
United States Representative District 29
Gene Green, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for United States Congress for the 29th Congressional District of Texas. James Stanczak is a Libertarian candidate also running for United State Representative for District 29.
----------------------------
United States Representative District 36
Brian Babin, Republican VS.
Michael K. Cole, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for the 36th Congressional District of Texas at this time.Rodney Veach is a Libertarian candidate also running for United States Representative for District 36.
----------------------------
Governor of Texas
----------------------------
Lieutenant Governor
----------------------------
Attorney General
Ken Paxton, Republican VS.
Sam Houston, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Texas Attorney General at this time. Jamie Balagia is a Libertarian candidate also running for Attorney General of Texas.
----------------------------
Comptroller of Public Accounts
-----------------------------
Commissioner of the General Land Office
George P. Bush, Republican VS.
John Cook, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Commissioner of the General Land Office at this time. Justin Knight is a Libertarian candidate also running for Commissioner of the General Land Office.
----------------------------
Commissioner of Agriculture
----------------------------
Railroad Commissioner
----------------------------
Chief Justice, Supreme Court
Nathan Hecht, Republican VS.
William Moody, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Chief Justice, Supreme Court at this time. Tom Oxford is a Libertarian Candidate also running for Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Texas.
----------------------------
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6 (Unexpired)
----------------------------
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7
Jeff Boyd, Republican VS.
Gina Benavides, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7 at this time. Don Fulton is a Libertarian candidate also running for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7.
----------------------------
Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8
Phil Johnson, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8 in Texas. Roberto Koelsch is a Libertarian candidate also running for Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8.
----------------------------
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3
----------------------------
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4
Kevin Patrick Yeary, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4 in Texas. Quanah Parker is a Libertarian candidate also running for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4.
----------------------------
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9
David Newell, Republican --
*No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm election for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9. William Bryan Strange III is a Libertarian candidate also running for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9.
----------------------------
Member, State Board of Education, District 4
----------------------------
State Senator, District 7
----------------------------
State Senator, District 15
Ron Hale, Republican VS.
John Whitmire, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Senator, District 15 at this time. Gilberto Velasquez, Jr. is a Libertarian candidate also running for State Senator for District 15.
----------------------------
State Senator, District 17
Joan Huffman, Republican VS.
Rita Lucido, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for State Senator, District 17 at this time. George Hardy is a Libertarian candidate also running for State Senator for District 17.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 126
Patricia Harless, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 126 in Texas. Chris Hernandez is a Libertarian candidate also running for State Representative for House District 126.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 127
Dan Huberty, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 127 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 128
Wayne Smith, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 128 in Texas. Ken Lowder is a Libertarian candidate also running for State Representative for House District 128.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 129
----------------------------
State Representative House District 130
Allen Fletcher, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 130 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 131
Alma A. Allen, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 131 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 132
----------------------------
State Representative House District 133
----------------------------
State Representative House District 134
----------------------------
State Representative House District 135
----------------------------
State Representative House District 137
----------------------------
State Representative House District 138
----------------------------
State Representative House District 139
Sylvester Turner, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 139 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 140
Armando Lucio Walle, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 140 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 141
Senfronia Thompson, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 141 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 142
Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 142 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 143
Ana Hernandez, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 143 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 144
----------------------------
State Representative House District 145
Carol Alvarado, Democrat *
No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 145 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 146
Borris L. Miles, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 146 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 147
Garnet F. Coleman, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for State Representative for House District 147 in Texas.
----------------------------
State Representative House District 148
----------------------------
State Representative House District 149
----------------------------
State Representative House District 150
----------------------------
Chief Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District
----------------------------
Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3
----------------------------
Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 5
Laura Carter Higley, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 5 in Texas.
----------------------------
Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District,
Place 4 (Unexpired)
Marc Brown, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 4 (Unexpired) in Texas.
----------------------------
Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 7
----------------------------
District Judge, 55th Judicial District
----------------------------
District Judge, 113th Judicial District
----------------------------
District Judge, 157th Judicial District
----------------------------
District Judge, 180th Judicial District
----------------------------
District Judge, 182nd Judicial District
Jeannine Barr, Republican *
No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 182nd Judicial District in Harris County.
----------------------------
District Judge, 183rd Judicial District
Vanessa Velasquez, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 183rd Judicial District in Harris County.
----------------------------
District Judge, 184th Judicial District
----------------------------
District Judge, 185th Judicial District
----------------------------
District Judge, 189th Judicial District
Bill Burke, Republican VS.
Ursula A. Hall, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 189th Judicial District at this time.
----------------------------
District Judge, 190th Judicial District
----------------------------
District Judge, 208th Judicial District
----------------------------
District Judge, 209th Judicial District
Mike McSpadden, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 209th Judicial District in Harris County.
----------------------------
District Judge, 228th Judicial District
Marc Carter, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 228th Judicial District in Harris County.
----------------------------
District Judge, 230th Judicial District
Brad Hart, Republican VS.
Greg Glass, Democrat --
*Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for District Judge, 230th Judicial District at this time.
----------------------------
District Judge, 232nd Judicial District
Mary Lou Keel, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 232nd Judicial District in Harris County.
----------------------------
District Judge, 234th Judicial District
----------------------------
District Judge, 245th Judicial District
Roy L. Moore, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 245th Judicial District in Harris County.
----------------------------
District Judge, 246th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 247th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 248th Judicial District
----------------------------
District Judge, 257th Judicial District
Judy Warne, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 257th Judicial District in Harris County.
----------------------------
District Judge, 262nd Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 263rd Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 269th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 270th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 280th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 281st Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 295th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 308th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 309th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 310th Judicial District
Lisa Millard, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 310th Judicial District in Harris County.
---------------------------
District Judge, 311th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 312th Judicial District
David Farr, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 312th Judicial District in Harris County.
---------------------------
District Judge, 313th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 314th Judicial District
---------------------------
District Judge, 315th Judicial District
Michael Schneider, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for District Judge, 315th Judicial District in Harris County.
---------------------------
District Judge, 334th Judicial District (Unexpired)
---------------------------
Harris County District Attorney (Unexpired)
---------------------------
Harris County Judge
---------------------------
Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 1
---------------------------
Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 2
---------------------------
Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 3
Linda Storey, Republican VS.
Gloria Cantu Minnick, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Civil Court at Law #3 at this time.
---------------------------
Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 4
----------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 1
Paula Goodhart, Republican *
No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Criminal Court #1 in Harris County.
----------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 2
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 3
Natalie C. Fleming, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Criminal Court #3 in Harris County.
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 4
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 5
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 6
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 7
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 8
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 9
Analia Wilkerson, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Criminal Court #9 in Harris County.
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 10
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 11
Diane Bull, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Criminal Court #11 in Harris County.
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 12
Robin Brown, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for Judge, County Criminal Court #12 in Harris County.
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 13
Don Smyth, Republican VS. Jason Long, Democrat
-- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Criminal Court #13 at this time.
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No. 14
---------------------------
Judge, County Criminal Court No.15
---------------------------
Judge, County Probate Court No. 1
---------------------------
Judge, County Probate Court No.2
Mike Wood, Republican VS.
Josefina Tendon, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Judge, County Probate Court #2 at this time.
---------------------------
Judge, County Probate Court No. 3
---------------------------
Judge, County Probate Court No. 4
---------------------------
District Clerk
---------------------------
Harris County Clerk
---------------------------
Harris County Treasurer
----------------------------
County School Board Trustee, Position 5, At-Large
Mike Wolfe, Republican VS.
Debra "Debby" Keener, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for County School Trustee, Position 5, At-Large at this time.
----------------------------
County School Trustee, Position 7, At-Large
Don Sumners, Republican VS.
Melissa Noriega, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for County School Trustee, Position 7, At-Large at this time.
----------------------------
County Commissioner, Precinct 2
Jack Morman, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election for County Commissioner for Precinct 2, in Harris County.
----------------------------
County Commissioner, Precinct 4
R. Jack Cagle, Republican VS.
M.I. Bad at, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for County Commissioner for Precinct 4, at this time.
----------------------------
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 2
David M. Patronella, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Place 2, in Harris County.
----------------------------
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2
Leonila Olivares-Salazar, Republican VS.
George E. Risner, Democrat -- *Neither candidate is seeking your vote in the race for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 2 at this time.
----------------------------
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2
Don Coffey, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3, Place 2, in Harris County.
----------------------------
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2
Laryssa Korduba, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4, Place 2, in Harris County.
----------------------------
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Place 2
Jeff Williams, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5, Place 2, in Harris County.
----------------------------
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6, Place 2
Armando V. Rodriguez, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 6, Place 2, in Harris County.
----------------------------
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7, Place 2
Zinetta Burney, Democrat *No Republican Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 7, Place 2, in Harris County.
----------------------------
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8, Place 2
Louie Ditta, Republican *No Democratic Opponent on November 4, 2014 in the Midterm Election race for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 8, Place 2, in Harris County.
# # # #
(From: Hartley, William H., Vincent, William S.. American Civics. N.Y., 1974, pp. 34ff)
HOW OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS
Government is the authority or power that people establish to help them run their affairs.
Governments serve many important purposes, but the most important one is that government makes it possible for people to live and work together. Government provides us with rules of conduct we can follow. Government makes it possible for people to live by known laws, and helps provide many services that citizens acting alone could not perform themselves.
Our nation's government is based on the American Constitution. This Constitution, together with its Bill of Rights and other amendments, provides us with a workable plan of government. The Constitution also guarantees to all Americans many priceless rights and freedoms.
Our nation's government is based upon the approval, or consent, of the people who are governed. It is a federal system in which certain powers are given to the national government and other powers are left to the states and to the people. Certain powers are shared by both federal and state governments. In both federal and state governments, powers are separated and balanced among three branches of government.
# # # #
The Rights and Freedoms of Americans
In drafting the Constitution, most of the Founding Fathers believed that the safeguards written into it would protect the rights of Americans. But when the Constitution was sent to the states in 1787 for ratification, a great roar of disapproval went up. In Virginia, Patrick Henry protested vigorously against the lack of a specific statement of rights. Other Americans from different states demanded that a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution. A number of states ratified the Constitution only conditionally. That is, they would approve the Constitution only if it were changed to include these rights.
Two years after the new American government went into effect, the Bill of Rights was added as the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Congress discussed nearly 200 proposals for amendments before it presented these ten to the states for approval. The states ratified these amendments, and they became part of the Constitution in 1791.
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights, set forth the priceless rights or freedoms that all Americans may enjoy. A brief summary of these great freedoms is given here.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
The first right, or freedom, guaranteed in the Bill of Rights is freedom of religion. This right is guaranteed in the First Amendment. Freedom of religion guarantees to all Americans the right to practice any religion they choose, or to practice no religion at all.
Congress is forbidden to establish any religion as our nation's official religion. Congress cannot favor any one religion over others or tax citizens in order to support any one religion.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
The right to express your ideas and opinions when you speak is called freedom of speech. Freedom of speech also means the right to listen to the thoughts and opinions of others. This freedom guarantees that Americans are free to express their thoughts and ideas about anything. They may talk freely to their friends and neighbors or speak in public to a group of people. Of course, no one may use his freedom of speech to injure others. If a person knowingly says things that are false about another, he may be sued in court by the person or persons who believe they have been harmed by what he said.
Americans are free to express opinions about their government or anything else. They are free to criticize the actions of the government and of government officials. In a dictatorship, where the nation's government has all the powers, the people have no right to speak like this. They do not dare to criticize the actions of the government. If they do, they may be imprisoned. But all Americans enjoy the freedom of speech, which is guaranteed in the First Amendment.
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
The freedom to express your ideas and opinions in writing is known as freedom of the press. This freedom is closely related to freedom of speech and is also guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Freedom of the press gives all Americans the right to express their ideas and thoughts freely in writing. This writing may be in newspapers, books, magazines, or any other printed or written form. Americans are also free to read what others write. They may read any newspaper, book or magazine they want. Because they are free to read a variety of facts and opinions, Americans can become better-informed citizens.
FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY
Another priceless freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment is freedom of assembly, or freedom to hold meetings. Americans are free to meet together to discuss problems and to plan their actions. Of course, such meetings must be carried on in a peaceful way.
FREEDOM OF PETITION
The freedom of petition is the right to ask your government to do something or to refrain from doing something. The First Amendment contains this guarantee, also. The freedom of petition gives you the right to write to your Congressman and request him to work for the passage of laws you favor. You are free to ask him to change laws that you do not like. The right of petition also helps government officials to know what Americans think and what actions they want the government to take.
THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS
The Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees Americans the right to bear arms. In the early years of our nation, Americans needed weapons in order to serve in the militia, or volunteer armies, that were established to defend our states. The militia provided protection during emergencies, too. Many Americans also believed that without weapons they would be powerless if the government tried to overstep its powers and rule by force.
"NO-QUARTERING" RIGHT
The Third Amendment states, "No soldier shall, in times of peace, be quartered in any house. . . ." Under British rule, the colonists sometimes had to feed and house British soldiers against their will. As a result, Americans wanted this practice forbidden under the Bill of Rights.
THE RIGHT TO EQUAL JUSTICE
The Bill of Rights contains many rights that are guaranteed to persons accused of a crime. Amendments Five, Six, Seven, and Eight are all concerned with these rights. Our nation places great importance on these rights in order to guarantee equal justice for all Americans.
A person must be indicted, or formally accused of a crime, by a group of citizens called a "grand jury" before he can be brought into court for trial.
A person accused of a crime is guaranteed the right to know what law he is accused of breaking.
A person accused of a crime has a right to a prompt public trial by a jury of his fellow citizens.
An accused person cannot be put into prison and kept there for weeks or months while awaiting a trial. He has the right to leave jail, in most cases, if he can raise a certain sum of money, or bail, as a pledge that he will appear at his trial.
An accused person has a right to a lawyer to represent him in court.
All the testimony and evidence against an accused person must be presented publicly in court.
The accused person has the right to call any witnesses to appear if their testimony will help him.
The accused person cannot be forced to testify or give evidence against himself.
If the accused person is found guilty, he cannot be given cruel or unusual punishment. If the accused person is found not guilty of a serious crime, he cannot be tried a second time for this same crime.
THE RIGHT TO
OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY
The Fifth Amendment guarantees Americans the right to own private property. No person may take away anything that we own. Nor can the government seize our land, money, or other forms of property without cause, or without paying for it. The right to own private property is one of America's basic freedoms. Our free economic system is based upon this right.
THE RIGHT TO ENJOY
MANY OTHER FREEDOMS
To make doubly sure that Americans should enjoy every right and freedom possible, Amendment Nine was added to the Constitution. This amendment states that the list of rights contained in the Bill of Rights is not complete. There are many other rights that all Americans have and will continue to have even though they are not mentioned in the Bill of Rights. Among them are the following.
Freedom to live or travel anywhere in our nation
Freedom to work at any job for which we can qualify
Freedom to marry and raise a family
Freedom to receive a free education in good public schools
Freedom to join a political party, a union, and other legal groups
As a final guarantee of our rights, the Tenth Amendment set aside many powers of government for the states. This Amendment says that all powers not given to the federal government by the Constitution, nor forbidden to the states, are set aside for the states, or for the people. This provision leaves with the states the power to act in many ways to guarantee the rights of their citizens.
SUMMARY
Government is the authority or power that people establish to help them run their affairs.
Governments serve many important purposes, but the most important one is that government makes it possible for people to live and work together. Government provides us with rules of conduct we can follow. Government makes it possible for people to live by known laws, and helps provide many services that citizens acting alone could not perform themselves.
Our nation's government is based on the American Constitution. This Constitution, together with its Bill of Rights and other amendments, provides us with a workable plan of government. The Constitution also guarantees to all Americans many priceless rights and freedoms.
Our nation's government is based upon the approval, or consent, of the people who are governed. It is a federal system in which certain powers are given to the national government and other powers are left to the states and to the people. Certain powers are shared by both federal and state governments. In both federal and state governments, powers are separated and balanced among three branches of government.
# # # #