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Author: Gerald V. Todd
Date:  December 19, 2014

Topic category:  Government/Politics

It’s Oath of Office Time Again


After months of campaigning, the winners are eager to get on with the political art of ruling. The weeks after the election often include wild and debauched celebrations, promises broken and calling in the chips. So much to remember with a fuzzy brain as the euphoria wears off.

Like fasting before receiving Communion, the oath taker should be in a sober and solemn state of mind. The responsibilities to the people and the Constitution that protects them are onerous at worst and joyful at best. The demands of the electorate and especially those who expect monetary gain or special treatment over others are fraught with temptation and frustration.

So what is the oath? – A solemn promise or a rite of passage to the exercise of power and greed?

Since lying has become an acceptable art form, we must hold the solemn oath takers to protect and defend the Constitution as their pledge of honor and responsibility. Judging by the actions of elected officials today, the idea of committing treason over intentional failure to uphold the Constitution doesn’t enter the soul scarred with a seared conscience.

The oath to be taken by the president on first entering office is specified in Article II, Section 1, of the Constitution:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

The Constitution (Article VI, clause 3) requires that Senators and Representatives take an oath of office to support the Constitution. It reads:

“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

The military officer’s oath is similar. Solemn oaths are very serious business. It places in the oath taker’s hands power over the lives and welfare of 350 million people, each with their own hopes and dreams.

With the advent of the “Progressive” movement, the need to protect the Constitution against domestic enemies has yet to reach the consciousness of most voters – even “progressives” themselves who like to assure each other of intellectual superiority over the wisdom of the voters.

The real strength of the Constitution is found in the Declaration: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The Founders saw swearing an oath upon the Bible was natural and binding. Today, we have three problems:

1. Swearing on the Bible with no intention of upholding any solemn promise.

2. Swearing to uphold the Constitution on the Qur’an) is unacceptable because it is an opposing theocratic code of laws strictly observed with severe, often deadly penalties.

3. After years of political correctness, misguided social justice and divisive interpretations of diversity, the American people are conditioned to accept totalitarian rule and dependency on a government incapable of love.

We are engaged in all-out spiritual warfare. While political strategies are critical, the war is fought on the spiritual plane. Ask the enemies who see your death as a ticket to heaven or the blood of the unborn oozing between their teeth. The servant and his money changers lust to be our blood masters.

We must act or our liberties will disappear and the chains will become immovable. Are we to accept the yoke of government bondage? Or do we rein in a government out-of-control that is unable and unwilling to restrict itself? We saw how waiting for another election is playing out in spite of the will of the people so profoundly stated.

It boils down to Beauty and love – not debauchery and use of others. The opposite of love is not hate, but use! One who truly loves cannot use the beloved, willing to lay down one’s life for her/him. That is why oaths are serious statements, not rites of passage. Now we must pray and act – and demand that our elected officials take their oaths seriously or be summarily ejected from office.

Gerald V. Todd


Biography - Gerald V. Todd

Jerry is a retired engineer with strong experience in environmental innovation which he still applies today with 2 clean water and energy saving technologies. His life avocation in writing and study of philosophical and biblical themes as they apply to the body politic's spiritual warfare. He survived stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2006; now in excellent health. A graduate of the University of Illinois (1958, Industrial Engineering), Jerry had post graduate studies at both the University of San Francisco and the University of Santa Clara in California between 1961 and 1963 (Logic, Marketing). As co Founder and seminar presenter he was awarded a Ph.D. in Philosophy at Valley Christian University operating under California private-post secondary statutes for mid career student, VCU was the pioneer external degree school for mid career students. Its course structures were picked up by several well known Christian colleges. Hosted local broadcast radio and TV shows, "Religion on the Line" and "The News Firm" (jointly with wife, Joanne), respectively. Jerry has published several books that are available at Amazon. Jerry is available to speak as a visiting lecturer at the high school, college or community organization level. Jerry is married 55 years to Joanne Dean Todd – 3 children, 8 grandchildren.


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