FRA "The Bill of Rights and Me" (Opinionated Essay)

“Why are we called the United States of America when we, as people, can’t be united?” This question, asked by a local third grader, is the question that we all should answer for ourselves. My answer is the Bill of Rights. In March of 1789, state conventions gathered to expand the United States Constitution. The preamble states: “As extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, (the Bill of Rights) will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.” However this is only true if the people really want a better country.
Are these rules only for the government to follow or should they be in effect for the people towards the people? The Bill of Rights is not effective at smaller levels of power. For example, what does freedom of speech mean in a household? To live in a household and not be granted the ability to speak freely about your opinions, I find dangerous to a person’s emotional health. “Home is where the heart is,” a common saying, when really for some, home lacks heart. Shouldn’t we be able to seek comfort from our families? The Bill of Rights only protects us from the government, not each other.
As far as current events, in Pennsylvania a state representative is making an effort to have the national motto, “In God We Trust,” showcased in all public buildings, especially schools. “The people have been told God is not a part of our government. People have grown up not knowing the truth about our Godly heritage,” he said in a recent interview. Why does our national motto insist that as Americans, we trust in God when we claim that all of the American people are free to choose their own religion?
The United States Bill of Rights is a model of what we want to be as a country, but we haven’t all decided that we are ready to be there yet. When we all agree to come together as a country and respect this documented proclamation of freedom, The United States can continue to progress. United we almost stand.