The USA is known as the land of the free, but lately, people are wondering if that’s entirely true, because for some, it feels like it’s not, and they’re getting upset. People wonder if criminals are getting away with things, and then think that if that’s true, why is no one stopping them?
Money Spending
So we all know that the government is allowed to spend money on things, but we don’t know what they spend it on or how much ‘waste’ there could be. For instance, if the government wants to spend money on something obscure, it can. If the government wants to subsidize specific industries, it can do so as well.
Selling Your Home
If the government deems it necessary, it can force you to sell your home. It’s called eminent domain, and it derives from the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment. They can do this even if you don’t want to sell, but they do have to give you ‘just compensation’ for the property.
Shutting Down
If the government can’t pass a budget, this is bad for the people. The reason is that they’ll shut down. When this happens, many of the things we love come to a halt. For instance, museums close, monuments aren’t open, and if you’re waiting on a visa, you can’t get it until the issue is solved. The last government shutdown happened just 7 years ago.
Changing Laws
States have rights, but the federal government can exert pressure on them to change their laws. They do this by enacting federal laws that can supersede state laws and then penalize states for noncompliance. An example is the mid-1980s. Congress passed a law about drinking that made the age 21 or older. If they hadn’t, the state would have lost federal highway funding.
Grandparents’ Rights
Some states recognize grandparents’ official right to visit or spend time with their grandchildren. For some parents, this isn’t good news as they’re trying to shield their children from abusive families. Thankfully, in many cases, it’s unenforceable because parents can still say no. However, in many cases, the opposite has been true, and parents have had to fight to keep their children.
Taking Your Things
Civil asset forfeiture laws permit the police to seize your property, and they are not required to return it. This taking of your personal property is only allowed when they believe it was involved in a crime, but it doesn’t matter if you were acquitted; they can still take it. For instance, the police in Indiana took a man’s Land Rover after he pleaded guilty to selling a small amount of drugs.
Constitution
You may not be aware that the government can amend the Constitution, but it is permitted to do so. All it takes is for two-thirds of the House and Senate to vote, and they can do it. A good example of this is when prohibition was in effect. As of today, we have 27 amendments that have passed.
Jailtime
If your child misses school, parents may face jail time. In most cases, it must be a specific number of school days that have been missed, according to state truancy laws. In some states, a parent can’t be held responsible if the child reaches a certain age, which is intended to encourage parents to ensure their children stay in school.
Starting A Car
If you’ve been convicted of a DUI, the government can have you install a device in your car that tests your blood alcohol concentration level before starting your vehicle. You must blow into the device each time you want to drive, and if you exceed the state limit, your car won’t start.
Trash
Law enforcement is allowed to search through your trash before it is taken to the dump. In the late 1980s, a case was initiated regarding this issue, and it was ultimately decided that garbage placed at the curb is not covered under the Fourth Amendment and therefore is not protected from seizure.
Voting
Your right to vote is not an inalienable right. In many states, convicted felons are not allowed to vote. In 14 states, you may vote after you’ve been let out, but in others, you have to wait until you’re through with probation and parole. Others will require you to apply to reclaim your rights.
Emails
Intelligence agencies in the United States can collect email communications of foreigners who are living abroad. They do this to gather information about any potential threats against the country. However, this can extend to all Americans receiving these kinds of emails. The law was put in place almost twenty years ago.
Business
If you want to get out of business, it’s more complicated than you might think. For instance, in certain states, you have to purchase a license, pay a fee, and submit a massive amount of paperwork before they’ll let you. This may sound counterintuitive, but the Constitution allows states to enact laws as they deem necessary.
Pardons
The president has the power to pardon convicted criminals, a power that is not widely known. When a person is convicted of a crime, they are judged by a jury of 12 peers who have heard all the evidence in the case. However, if the president says no, the person can walk away free.
Truth
The Freedom of Information Act allows anyone to request access to records of federal agencies. The exception to this is if the records are protected from disclosure. Many records are protected, meaning that people are not allowed to see much. For instance, people still don’t have all of the information about JFK’s assassination.
Surprised?
The government has a lot of things that they’re allowed to do that surprise people. Most people don’t realize that states are permitted to enact unusual laws, or that the president could ensure that someone avoids jail. The amendments can also be altered, which is another shock. With this list, you’ll see that there are a lot of things going on that people wouldn’t realize.
