Should all Citizens "Swear Oath" to "Defend the Constitution of the US", and then discuss their understanding of the "Preamble"?

2017-08-06T05:43:01-04:00

Constitution's Preamble "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2017 5:44 AM

2017-08-06T05:44:23-04:00

What would the end goal be?

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 6 at 2017 8:12 AM

2017-08-06T08:12:27-04:00

Isn't that essentially what the pledge of allegiance is?

But to answer the question more directly; no. Because it is meaningless outside of a voluntary situation. And in what time, place, format and context would the mandatory discussion's of the preamble take place. Would communities hold weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual Oath and Preamble meetings? That sounds less like America and more like some of the regimes that have "Political Commissars."

I suggest, that civics needs to be put back into the pubic school system. Starting in Kindergarten and continuing all the way to 12th grade some basics need to be taught,
-Memorize and recite the Declaration of Independence
-Memorize and Recite the Preamble to the Constitution
-Read and demonstrate familiarity with the Constitution in general and discuss key clauses; Advise and Consent, Commerce Clause, General Welfare Clause
-Give a plain language description of each of the ratified and still in effect Amendments to the Constitution
-Read and demonstrate familiarity with Washington's Farewell Address
-Memorize and recite the Gettysburg Address
-Read and demonstrate familiarity with Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" Speech
-Read and demonstrate familiarity with the essays that comprise the Federalist Papers
-Read and demonstrate familiarity with the essays that comprise the Anti-Federalist Papers
-Read and demonstrate familiarity with Brown V. Board of Education decision of SCOTUS
-Read and demonstrate familiarity with Miranda V. Arizona decision of SCOTUS
-Read and demonstrate familiarity with Marbury V. Madison decision of SCOTUS

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Aug 6 at 2017 8:54 AM

2017-08-06T08:54:41-04:00

I'm going to go with a no on this one. Not only would it result in empty words spilling from ignorant lips, an oath isn't something that should be thrust upon somebody. An oath comes from ancient traditions of giving ones word in the presence of ones God(s) with many believing that violation of that oath would directly or indirectly result in their death. While not revered in that light in modern times, an oath is still a serious commitment that should not be forced upon a free person. It has to be their choice. Otherwise we rob them of one of the inalienable rights our founders so desperately fought for.

Response by SFC Jerry Humphries made Aug 6 at 2017 9:04 AM

2017-08-06T09:04:07-04:00

No, however I do think we give the title of citizen too freely to those whom never taken the time to learn and understand its meaning and responsibilities.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Aug 6 at 2017 9:14 AM

2017-08-06T09:14:42-04:00

The preamble is not the Constitution. It is the opening summary of intent of a much longer document outlining the establishment and construct of the government and the set of rights the citizens will have protected by the government (not granted by it, the rights are unalienable not a government grant).

I am not sure being able to do wrote reciting of the preamble will do much. There is a need for a much deeper understanding of our organic documents and other documents that have come along the way, intertwined with the historical context as well.

It is a lifelong endeavor starting in grade school and going through high school and college. It is also reading and studying on your own. We enjoy the ability to have access to documents and writings far exceeding previous generations and the general population seems far less aware and informed.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2017 11:57 AM

2017-08-06T11:57:45-04:00

Maybe the other way around. Learn it first. Otherwise, how can the oath have any meaning?

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2017 4:37 PM

2017-08-06T16:37:30-04:00

No. Leans toward brown-shirts and unwavering loyalty. Opens the door to more "affirmations of allegiance". The Pledge of Allegiance should be allowed but not mandatory in schools. School prayer needed to go due to separation of church and state. Privately funded schools can do whatever the law, the leadership and their conscience allows. More education on civics and our Constitution definitely needed in schools and in the public.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2017 5:36 PM

2017-08-06T17:36:33-04:00

No, the government has created certain agencies to help uphold & enforce different parts of the Constitution. Now, if they so choose of their own free will to enforce a particular part of the Constitution, then yes, by all means, do so. I am a firm believer in people learning & understanding the Constitution before they decide to defend it, something many individuals I have met seem to have little to no understanding of.

Response by CPO Glenn Moss made Aug 6 at 2017 6:58 PM

2017-08-06T18:58:11-04:00

Is this Sparta? Or is this America?

What is the point of either of these things?

The time for discussing their understanding of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution is in school and at home while growing up as a part of their education. This isn't something that needs, or should, take place after swearing an oath to defend the Constitution.

Response by LTC John Wilson made Aug 7 at 2017 1:11 PM

2017-08-07T13:11:12-04:00

They should be able to properly discuss it BEFORE they take the Oath. They should be able to discuss more than the Preamble. They must be able to discuss the entire Document from the perspective of the men who framed it, debated it and ratified it. Likewise, they should explain articulately the principles which underpin the Declaration and its inextricable and direct link to the Constitution.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2017 2:29 PM

2017-08-07T14:29:36-04:00

No what's the point? How do you enforce it?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2017 7:12 PM

2017-08-07T19:12:43-04:00

It would be better if they knew what they were taking an oath about prior to taking one.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Aug 7 at 2017 8:30 PM

2017-08-07T20:30:21-04:00

Oaths mean nothing... look at congress...

Response by PFC Gary Lamb made Aug 11 at 2017 10:03 AM

2017-08-11T10:03:27-04:00

I I dont think it is necesary for civilians to swear an oath.Honestly,if you are a TRUE AMERICAN and trust and Believe in the CONSTITUTION of the Uninted States of America,they should understand that it is their DUTY as a Citizen to Help DEFEND their RIGHTS and their Country already.Bit people now days are so SELFISH AND SELF CENTERED they dont CARE ABOUT Anything but themselves,NOT what it takes for them to be that way.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 1 at 2017 11:26 AM

2017-09-01T11:26:08-04:00

Once upon a time Americans were taught civics as a standard part of the school curriculum. Sadly, that is no longer the case and I doubt that many know what a "Preamble" is let alone explain what it means in the context of the Constitution. This is no accident. Those who want to fundamentally change America would have a hard time doing it if citizens actually understood and revered the Constitution. So, they began by fundamentally changing school curricula to remove our defenses.

Response by SSG Rick Miller made Nov 3 at 2018 8:13 AM

2018-11-03T08:13:36-04:00

An open, honest discussion of the founding documents is a very good thing. Requiring all citizens to swear the oath smacks of totalitarianism. It would also be, for a majority, nothing but empty words. Teach these documents, develop understanding of the rights and responsibilities contained therein. No required oath. No forced loyalties.

Response by Cpl Bill Johnson made Apr 15 at 2019 7:58 PM

2019-04-15T19:58:55-04:00

Loyalty oaths in a democracy?No. Never.