PrintDecember 10, 2010
Senator Bernie Sanders and his oath
From the senate.gov website, this is the Oath of Office, as it is administered to US Senators.
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 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.
On Senator Sander's own Senate.gov webpage, an article appears which describes Sanders as a socialist:
When Vermonters chose Sanders to replace retired Sen. Jim Jeffords, I-Vt., in 2006, some senators doubted whether the impassioned socialist known for his untamed white hair and fiery oratory would fit in with the staid Senate.
Several AT contributors (including me) have clearly explained why the American Constitution is wholly incompatible with socialism. These reasons are mainly because first; the government can never, ever be the purveyor of our rights, and second; our Constitution is a charter of negative rights and negative liberties. These concepts are both diametrically opposed to socialism.
It is therefore my contention that anyone, who swears to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of The United States, but openly identifies themselves as "socialist", has in fact sworn a false oath. Having myself taken an oath to defend the Constitution, I take grievous offence at anyone who pays the oath lip service.
Jason McNew can be reached at jasond@mcnew.org.
