What comes to your mind when you see or hear the word "BILL"?

1.  An amount of paper money such as a five, twenty or fifty dollar bill?
2.  A debt you or someone in your family has to pay like a credit card bill, electric bill, etc?
3.  A printed piece of paper or document in which there is important information?

Number three is the BILL we're talking about here. It's The Bill Of Rights. A document that spells out the rights, freedoms, and entitlements each American citizen has. Some of these rights are: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, a speedy jury trial if accused of a crime or freedom of the press.

Maybe these rights don't sound like such a big deal to you! That's because you're lucky enough not to have to live in one of the many countries in the world in which you wouldn't have these rights and "protections". In all those countries ruled by dictators and other cruel, oppressive governments, here' s what happens: children and adults, alike can be: taken out of their homes or picked up off the street and put in jail for years, tortured, or even killed. They don't have the right to a lawyer or even know the crime they are supposed to have committed. They could be punished, or jailed for being of a certain religion or trying to practice that religion or jailed and even killed for reading newspapers or listening to radio or TV broadcasts NOT APPROVED of by their governments.

So what does all this have to do with you? TWO THINGS!! KNOW YOUR RIGHTS so that you can protect yourself against anyone trying to take them away. APPRECIATE YOUR RIGHTS by making sure you don't try to take away other people's rights. The shortest, simplest way to think about all the rights you have is to know that WITH EVERY RIGHT, THERE COMES A RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO USE THAT RIGHT RESPONSIBLY. For example...you have the right of freedom of speech but that right shouldn't be used to badmouth, ridicule, or lie about someone else. You enjoy freedom of religion, and the freedom to read or see (uncensored) things that you want to. With this right should come the responsibility of allowing others who may not agree with you the right to their own personal opinions and actions as long as no laws or broken and there is no danger to people's lives or property.

Make a list of the many, rights, freedoms, or protections, which YOU NOW HAVE. They may be the BIG ones (guaranteed to each American citizen) or smaller rights or privileges given by your parents or teachers. For example if you're of legal age, you may be given the right (privilege) of driving. If you blow that right by NOT USING IT RESPONSIBLY, that is, by speeding or by drinking and driving, P O O F.... the right is or should be taken away. Can you think of a RESPONSIBILITY for each right, privilege, freedom, or liberty you've chosen? Write it down and click here to see what other kids chose.

THE FIRST TEN AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION ARE CALLED THE BILL OF RIGHTS. IF YOU COULD ADD ANOTHER AMENDMENT OR TWO, WRITE IN HERE WHAT ADDITIONAL RIGHTS YOU'D CHOOSE TO HAVE.