The Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, was designed to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the government. Here is how it addresses the points you mentioned:
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Restricts Government from Abusing Natural Rights: The Bill of Rights indeed restricts both the federal and state governments from infringing on certain fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. This limitation is crucial in safeguarding individual freedoms and civil liberties.
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Local Police and Federal Permission: The Bill of Rights does not require local police to have federal permission to conduct searches; however, it does establish that searches must be reasonable and typically requires a warrant based on probable cause, which is protected by the Fourth Amendment. This provides citizens with a level of protection against arbitrary actions by local law enforcement.
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Lists Civil Rights and Provides Penalties: While the Bill of Rights enumerates specific rights, it does not explicitly list penalties for violations. Instead, it establishes rights, such as freedom of speech and due process, and relies on the judicial system to enforce these rights and address violations. Courts can rule against the government if rights are violated.
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Citizens Deciding Which Rules to Follow: The Bill of Rights does not allow citizens to unilaterally decide which government rules to follow. Instead, it outlines rights that the government must respect, creating a framework for those rights to be upheld. Citizens can challenge government actions in court if they believe their rights have been violated.
In summary, the primary function of the Bill of Rights is to protect individual liberties from government overreach and to ensure that certain fundamental rights are preserved for all citizens.