What is your opinion of the USA?

Apparently you fail to realize that we have lost several rights, and if so I am sorry for you, but I will attempt to list a few that you may recognize.

Under the Constitution of the United States of America we are guaranteed the right of freedom of assembly, with the only restriction being that the assenbly be peaceful.

Now we are required to obtain a permit or license, to exercise what is supposed to be a right.

The constitution states that our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, but in some areas of this country, law abiding citizens are forbidded that right, and it is infringed upon in many places.

The constitution guarantees us the right to be secure in our persons, houses, papers, and effects against searches and seizures without a warrant that is issued upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation.

Now we our person, house, and effects can be search because the government suspects us of something, with no warrant being issued, and the government feels free to monitor our phone calls and e-mail.

The constitution guarantees that we shall not be deprived of property without due process.

Now our property can be consficated without us even being charged with a crime, let alone being convicted of one.

The constitution guarantees that we shall enjoy a speedy trial and we shall not be imprisoned without a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury.

Now we can be held for months or even in some cases years without a trial, and under the law today, citizens of this country can be classified as domestic terrorist and held without indictment, for however long the governemnt wants.

The tenth amendment clearly states, "Thje powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."

Today the federal government has far exceed the powers granted it under the constitution and have infringed upon the powers reserved for the states.

Just in case you believe it is just my thoughts on the constitution, I would present a few qoutes from some that should know better than any politician today.

Madison, considered the father of the Constitution, said:

“With respect to the words general welfare, I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators.”

"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation and foreign commerce."

"The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the State governments, in times of peace and security."

"I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents." - James Madison criticizing an attempt to grant public monies for charitable means, 1794

Thomas Jefferson said:

"I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: That "all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States or to the people." [10th Amendment] To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specifically drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition."

"On every question of construction, carry ourselves back to the
time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit
manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning
may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform
to the probable one in which it was passed."

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

There are many other quotes from the Founding Fathers that would apply, but I will leave you with the following thoughts:

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little tempory safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin

The Constitution is a written instrument. As such, its meaning does not alter. That which it meant when it was adopted, it means now, so when our politicians attempt to change it through interpertation they are violating their oath to uphold it, becuse the only way it can be changed is through the amendment process, as it has been 27 times.