The Oath of The Citizen

You know what it feels like to have lost something valuable, right?  It’s painful!  However you came to acquire it, you’re invested in it, and it has come with a cost.  To lose it is to lose what you have sacrificed to gain it, and that hurts!  There is something equally painful and It is to lose something that you didn’t even know you had; that was of precious value right under your nose and you only learned of it after it was gone. 

Do you like hidden treasure?  Well, there is a hidden treasure among us and we are going to discover it right now!  Today we want to consider something that has very likely gone by us like the scenery on a long drive.

 

But first, please accept a Happy Bill of Rights Day greeting!  Ratified 231 years ago today, The Bill of Rights sought further limits on the federal government to insure the protection of the Rights of the People.  It is appropriate to commemorate its ratification.   A treatise on this was published two years ago on the chairman’s personal blog and it seems as germane now as it was then.  You can check it out later, HERE.

 

A momentous event is taking place in the next several days that happens after every election.  Your newly elected or re-elected officeholders are going to raise their right arms to the square to swear (or affirm) an oath to support the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Missouri.  We should be celebrating, because by this act, they enter into a contract and engage themselves to submission to the Supreme Law of the Land as our public servants; to protect your rights and mine by full compliance to these documents.  If this is televised, or if we can attend in person, wouldn’t it be great to witness this for ourselves? 

I strongly recommend it and here’s why.  Because they need to know that we know; they need to know that we are watching and willing to support their efforts to fulfill their oaths with complete fidelity and hold them accountable when they falter.

 

So that’s them.  But what about us?  What about me – and YOU?

 

When immigrants go through the naturalization process to become Citizens of the United States, they take an oath.  You knew that, correct?  Here’s how it goes:

 

 

So where is our oath?  Well, if you were born here to a parent or parents who are Citizens of the United States and you have never been in the military or government service, you are very likely to have not taken it.  Nevertheless, It is implied upon us at birth!  You and I, therefore partake of the benefits of citizenship and you and I are yet subject to an oath to support and defend the Constitution as fellow Citizens, even though we have not been required to take it.  Unfortunately, this is not something that has been taught or encouraged over many years of neglect and the result is ignorance of the Power and protections We the People have through the Constitution.  We should teach this to our youth and when they come of age to vote, let’s have built an appreciation for Citizenship and our Republic so that the Oath (see the bold underlined words above) is highly regarded and respected when it is taken.

So here we go.  WHERE is this hidden treasure?  Look in the mirror!  YOU are the hidden treasure.  Unlike in other nations, YOU are NOT a subject of an earthly monarch.  YOU are EMPOWERED!  The key to the POWER of our Republic is in YOU, and me, and our fellow Citizens of the United States of America.  The Constitution does not enforce itself.  Let’s not squander this opportunity we have to stand together while we still can. 

The time is NOW!