Our Constitution, 223 Years Old (September 17, 2010) and Counting…

On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. Treat yourself by reading and printing copies of the Constitution and other original documents important to the founding of our country. Go to the following site: http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/

You will find that this Constitution actually specified an oath for the President:
in Article II, Section 1:
"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."

Although many today like to question whether or not George Washington added the words “So help me God” to the oath, the senate website “Inaugural History” noted under “Precedents” the following:

“The Constitution only prescribes the oath that a President must take; it does not set forth the style or manner of the Inauguration. The nation's first inauguration established many precedents: Washington added the words, "So help me God," and at the end of his oath; he kissed the Bible; and he delivered an Inaugural address, all of which have been followed by future Presidents.”
See: http://inaugural.senate.gov/history/chronology/gwashington1789.cfm

Although not specified by the Constitution, the congress and vice president have recited the following oath for about 150 years:
“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.”

Also, according to Title 28, Chapter I, Part 453 of the United States Code, each Supreme Court Justice takes this oath:
"I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as [title] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God." See: http://uspolitics.about.com/od/usgovernment/a/oaths_of_office.htm

The U.S. Constitution is the bedrock of government built upon the rule of law. Unfortunately, many elected and/or appointed officials not only fail to uphold the Constitution but relegate it to a historic but unimportant document. I believe you will agree it is our duty, as citizens, to insist that our elected officials keep their oaths. If they do not hold to their respective oaths, we also have a duty to keep this in mind and act accordingly when we vote on November 2nd.

If you are a citizen of this country and are not registered to vote, see that you quickly do so. Election day is less than seven weeks away. Just do it!