Posted on Jan 31, 2015
Where should our Loyalties lie, with the Constitution or a Sitting POTUS??
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Leadership is handed over peacefully in this Country every 4 to 8 years. There will always be a divide between progressives and conservatives. With every administration, rules are challenged and the envelope of constitutionality is pushed further and further, especially in recent years. We have progressed, we have become better as a society and yes there needed to be changes throughout history, but where does it end? Have we peaked?? Is the progressive movement pushing too far? Have conservatives given up too much and where is that line? Is there work to do, I believe so. Have people become to reliant on the Government, have we given too much power to the Government. I still hold the Pledge of Allegiance in high regard, and my favorite part is the last line and will always be a guiding principle to this Conservative Marine Veteran. "With Liberty and Justice for All". So I argue that our loyalty should always lie with the Constitution first. Semper Fidelis
Constitution
Loyalty
Office of the President (POTUS)
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 22
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Our Service Oath is actually very straight forward on the matter.
The Officer service oath does not include mention of the President at all, just the Supporting and Defending of the Constitution.
The Enlisted Oath also includes following the orders of the President and all Officers appointed over us, but following orders is not the same as loyalties. Supporting and Defending the Constitution however is.
The President also swears and Oath on the Constitution.
So all that said, everything goes back to the Constitutions.
Presidential Oath of Office:
“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.”
Officers Oath:
"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. So help me God."
Enlisted Oath:
"I, (state name of enlistee), 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; and 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."
So although the Sitting President is the "Representative" (important distinction) Head of State and Commander In Chief, we are Sworn to the Country as a whole, not to a single individual.
The Officer service oath does not include mention of the President at all, just the Supporting and Defending of the Constitution.
The Enlisted Oath also includes following the orders of the President and all Officers appointed over us, but following orders is not the same as loyalties. Supporting and Defending the Constitution however is.
The President also swears and Oath on the Constitution.
So all that said, everything goes back to the Constitutions.
Presidential Oath of Office:
“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.”
Officers Oath:
"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. So help me God."
Enlisted Oath:
"I, (state name of enlistee), 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; and 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."
So although the Sitting President is the "Representative" (important distinction) Head of State and Commander In Chief, we are Sworn to the Country as a whole, not to a single individual.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
He is swearing to Protect/Defend while we are swearing to Support/Defend.
The President however has much wider latitude for interpretation than we do.
We don't have "Enforcement Discretion" or "Prosecution Discretion." He is designed to be Co-Equal with the Legislative & Judicial, while we are a 'public-servant' (pardon the phrase) under the the Executive Branch.
The issue that we run into is that Law is imperfect in the written form, and requires constant evolution to maintain its intent. The Judicial & Legislative have to reign any powers granted back in.
But to answer your question. Yes, absolutely imperative that the people elect are worthy of our trust.
The President however has much wider latitude for interpretation than we do.
We don't have "Enforcement Discretion" or "Prosecution Discretion." He is designed to be Co-Equal with the Legislative & Judicial, while we are a 'public-servant' (pardon the phrase) under the the Executive Branch.
The issue that we run into is that Law is imperfect in the written form, and requires constant evolution to maintain its intent. The Judicial & Legislative have to reign any powers granted back in.
But to answer your question. Yes, absolutely imperative that the people elect are worthy of our trust.
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PO1 John Meyer, CPC
Ah... you beat me to the punch, Sgt Kennedy. It's to the Constitution, not the POTUS.
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Cpl Brian Roma
It is clearly to the constitution. The post from Sgt. Kennedy is pretty clear on that . When the Potus , Congress, and Senate are openly making unconstitutional laws and shredding the constitution where are our military leadership ? Are they to worried or scared about their next promotion or retirement package or maybe they won't get the funding they need . I know voting is what everyone falls back but reality is by the time that happens the damage is already done . When is our leadership going to step Upp and do what they they were hired for should be the real question.
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Can I vote both? Obviously first and foremost, we swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. Then, right along with that, the President is our Commander in Chief and is due our respect and our loyalty as members of the military he commands.
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SSgt Kevin Chavez
The POTUS is only a man, the OFFICE is what holds the obligation of respect, but mankind is not infallible. Over reaches are inevitable, its the stability of the Document (the idea) and the loyalty of its people that will keep this Country civilized as we know it.
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SFC Boots Attaway
I agree CW5 (Join to see) but we must also remember that we must not follow any illegal order given by our superiors. Also as retirees and vets our oath to defend the Constitution comes first and foremost.
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