OK, two different topics, but they really do have something in common. Steven F Hayward wrote an article that I saw on Intercollegiate Studies Institute, https://home.isi.org/character-counts-what-look-president.
Our presidents swear: “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.” Our military personnel have a similar oath of office.
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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 obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
Cabinet members oath is: “I (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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 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.”
Why all the focus on oaths? Oaths are as old and the recorded history of our species. Oaths were sworn between people before lawyers were invented, and there were consequences for not fulfilling an oath. So who feels that fulfilling an oath is important. Well, have our politicians fulfilled their oaths? Are they defending and protecting the constitution as they SWORE to do? That is part of the essence of character, doing what you saw you will do. Not saying the oath and then doing what you want.
As Mr. Hayward says in his article, “I intend to transform the United States” violates your oath and is a sign that your character is not something we can depend upon. A statement like, “I intend to lead the Congress towards what I consider is a better United States.” That statement I can support and have respect for even if I disagree with the what he considers to be “better”.
Neither major party candidate today comes close to being a person of character. Both feel they will do whatever it takes to fulfill their own vision of the future, equal pay, N Korea, gun limitations, the wall—it just goes on forever. Neither mentions Congress. Read the article, it speaks to the fact that Congress is the action body, NOT THE PRESIDENT!!!! We slide towards totalitarianism, fascism, etc. by not holding Congress accountable.
Think about it, please!