This year marks the two hundredth anniversary of the Bill of Rights.

It is one of the most important documents in human history, and yet few Americans know what it is, where it is located, or why it was necessary. In fact, a recent survey found many Americans who would willingly change the long-standing Bill of Rights simply to solve current, short term problems.

The Bill of Rights is the popular name for the first ten amendments to the Constitution. It is, in a way, the first major act by a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

The Bill of rights came into being because the people demanded it. Their experience led them to distrust it, even a new kind of democratic government. They wanted some way to guarantee certain rights against encroachment by government or any other power. The first ten amendments list those rights and freedoms. They prohibit government from interfering with those rights under any pretense. And they command government to protect and promote those rights and freedoms.

The Constitution gives power to the majority. The Bill of Rights restricts the power in order to protect the minority, even if that minority is a single citizen.

If you set no other goals this year, KSL urges you to obtain a copy of the Constitution. Read the Bill of Rights. Discuss it with your family. Help them appreciate the rights and freedoms it guarantees.

Humanists of Utah expresses appreciation to KSL Radio and Television for their outstanding editorial on the bill of Rights (7/17/1991). Don Gale, VP News and Public Affairs for KSL, gave us permission to reprint the editorial.