Oath

by Doug Bohn, Victor

“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 – That to secure these rights Governments are instituted among men…”

Words that every American citizen “should” know by heart. Words that should reside there. Yet, do they? I ask you reader, what are the most significant words here? In my opinion, secondary only to “Creator,” “THAT TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS GOVERNMENTS ARE INSTITUTED AMONG MEN” are the most significant. Why? Well, that is the point of my letter.

These ten powerful words in The Declaration of Independence are as much a part of the Constitution as the document itself. The Constitution is simply the fulfillment of the intent previously set forth. This is the FIRST CORNERSTONE SET DOWN IN THE FOUNDATION OF OUR COUNTRY.

While many people understand the significance of these words, some do not. The people that demonstrate the weakest understanding are, in fact, elected officials. The higher the office they hold, the further from this founding principal they seem to become. What is the evidence of this? I ask you, honestly; When was the last time you witnessed an elected official, local or otherwise, “securing” your rights?  I’ll wait….

Why do I use strong words including significant and powerful? Simply because this document was written in a time when men held their posterity in highest regard. A time when an oath was a higher commitment than a vow. A time when violating an oath could result in a death sentence.

EVERY elected official is required to SWEAR AN OATH to uphold and defend the Constitution. The Constitution is the framework of our Republic. A Republic whose PRIMARY PURPOSE is to SECURE YOUR RIGHTS. How many elected officials can you identify through their actions that hold this as their guiding principal? Or said differently, are HONORING THEIR OATH? Today is a different time, but NOT a better one. Oath breakers will be held accountable. SO HELP ME GOD.