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Kansas “We The People” Contest
Enter to win $800!
Enter now!
Deadline: Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Bill of Right’s Institute is excited to offer this exclusive opportunity for participants in the Kansas “We The People” program! If you’re participating in the “We The People” competition in Kansas, you’re eligible to apply for one of three prizes!
Prizes:
- 1st Place: $800
- 2nd Place: $400
- 3rd Place: $200
As a bonus, we’ll give $100 to the teacher of the 1st place winner!
Here are the questions you need to answer:
1. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Don’t interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.” Please analyze and discuss how ONE of the Founding principles (choose from the list below) found in the Constitution helps preserve liberty, and why that principle is still important today. (up to 500 words)
- All men are created equal
- Limited government
- Private property
- Representative government
2. Lysander Spooner once wrote that “[Legislation] is an assumption by one man, or body of men, of absolute, irresponsible dominion over all other men whom they call subject to their power. It is the assumption by one man, or body of men, of a right to subject all other men to their will and their service. It is the assumption by one man, or body of men, of a right to abolish outright all the natural rights, all the natural liberty of all other men; to make all other men their slaves; to arbitrarily dictate to all other men what they may, and may not, do; what they may, and may not, have; what they may, and may not, be. It is, in short, the assumption of a right to banish the principle of human rights, the principle of justice itself, from off the earth, and set up their own personal will, pleasure, and interest in its place.”
In response to Spooner’s quote, please answer the following questions:
(a) What do you consider to be “natural rights”? (up to 200 words)(b) Do the Constitution and Bill of Rights adequately protect the natural liberties of individuals? Why or why not? (up to 500 words)(c) Do you agree with Spooner’s view of legislation? Please provide examples of current or past legislation to defend your view. (up to 800 words)