Analysis of the Constitution
The United States Congress holds part of the institutional powers. In my personal opinion, the most significant institutional power is the authority of the US Congress over the country’s finances and budgets (Epstein & THomas, 1998). This institutional power holds much significance over the general operations of the country. Through this institutional power, the US Congress can exercise control over the payment of debts, laying and collecting taxes, excises, and imposts and make sure that the general welfare and defense of the United States of America is provided for. This institutional power is quantified as the power of the purse and enables the seamless running of the whole country.
In the US Bill of Rights, the first section contains the ten amendments to the US Constitution. Of the ten rights, the most important personal right, in my personal opinion, is the “freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments” (Neil, 2015). This individual right is essential as it looks after the interests of seemingly forgotten members of society. Even when facing criminal charges, humanity and the uprightness of the US Constitution must still be upheld. The personal right of freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments gains its significance from making this happen.
With the various institutional powers mainly exercised by the US Congress, the country can keep on functioning with some of them removed. For instance, the power to put in place post roads and post offices, give weight and measurement standards, and give copyrights and patents can be exercised through other avenues (Epstein & THomas, 1998). These tasks are indeed important to the running of the USA. However, the US Congress is already handling much responsibility. It is only fair that this kind of institutional power is exercised differently in lesser capacities.
Of the personal rights contained in the US Bill of Rights, personal opinion directs that the “right to keep and bear arms to maintain a well-regulated militia” should be done away with (Neil, 2015). It is because of this right that some US citizens exercise the personal right to bear firearms. In doing so, the rate of public shootings and killings in schools and malls are on the rise. This individual right is often the cause of major national debate. The country is at crossroads trying to keep cases like the Sandy Hook shooting from happening.
With the official institutional powers in place, personal opinion warrants that the institutional power of the internet needs to be included. Cyberspace is growing to be an essential aspect of the US community. In the past, the internet was used to empower hackers, dissident groups, and criminals. In modern times, the internet is used by governments and large international companies. As such, the power to communicate and coordinate operations effectively as granted by the internet has to be included in the institutional powers.
On personal advice, the US Bill of Rights needs to have another personal right; the freedom of people not to carry arms shall not be overstepped. This individual right will help to cut down on the cases of shooting incidents that claim many lives. Aside from that, this personal right will also protect US Citizens from conscription. No US Citizen will be obligated to fight a war that they are not willing to.