Exactly. All three are metaphors, used to express what was given practical effect by structures in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Too subtle for most around here, it seems.
Jefferson, by the way, is a resource that's germane to finding out how the generation of the Framers saw these issues, and how broadly they were construed. Even though he did not participate in the writing of the Constitution or the Bill of Rights directly, his rhetorical point was prodding public debate, even from France, during the height of the ratification debates.
He spurred many of the Antifederalists' discussion points, which shaped how the ratifiers in every state construed the new governmental plan. And his practical suggestion to leverage a Bill of Rights was taken to heart: for nine states to ratify, putting the new Constitution into effect, but for the other four states (soon five, with Vermont's secession from New York) to withhold approval until specific protections of state-government authority and personal liberties were added.
I'll tell you what I'm tired of seeing: several thousand postings of Red Skelton's distillation of the Pledge for children. I think that has made its point already.