Final answer:
The Constitution limits actions such as suspending the writ of habeas corpus, passing bills of attainder, and enacting ex post facto laws to prevent government abuses and protect individual liberties. These limitations ensure a balance between authority and freedom, reflecting the principle of constitutionalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Picking the action of limiting the power of Congress to perform specific functions, such as suspending the writ of habeas corpus, enacting bills of attainder, or passing ex post facto laws, it's important to recognize why the Constitution limits these actions. The Constitution is designed to balance the power of government with the fundamental worth of the individual, ensuring that personal liberty is not arbitrarily infringed upon by the state. These restrictions are vital as they prevent abuses of power and protect citizens from legislative overreach, which can lead to the loss of individual rights and freedoms.
The Bill of Rights, including the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, exemplifies this balance by affirming essential liberties and protections against governmental oppression. The framers of the Constitution included these limitations based on historical abuses by British and colonial governance. These limitations demonstrate the American ideal of constitutionalism where limited government operates under the rule of law with checks and balances to protect individual self-determination and prevent tyranny.