Hard Times for our Founding Documents

by Jim Harrison
(Elkton, MD)

The Patrick O'Hannigan article in The American spectator was a study in latter-day Pharisaism (1.28.09 @ 6:07AM: http://spectator.org/archives/2009/01/28/hard-times-for-our-founding-do). The article was aptly entitled, "Hard Times For Our Founding Documents."

The Obama blunder in taking his oath of office carries an implication overlooked by almost everybody. This is a classic case of dwelling on the letter of the law and totally neglecting the spirit.

This is Pharisaism in its most virulent form. The exact words must be said in exactly the right order or the oath may be invalidated. Never mind that the oath-taker is lying through his teeth about the meaning of those words.

"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."

The Constitution in its original intent was a restrictive document. Sixteen powers were delegated to the federal government and the rest were reserved to the states or to the people.

During his tenure in the United States Senate, Barack Obama has demonstrated time and again that he has no intention of limiting his authority to those 16 delegated powers. The Constitution was turned on its head years ago. Obama has no intention whatsoever of restoring the original intent laid out by the Founders in the Federalist Papers.

He lied; surprise, surprise! Obama's oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States" is a sham. Obama lied with a straight face and everybody cheered. The people would have it no other way.

Long ago we became a nation of thieves. Lacking the guts to rob our neighbor personally we resorted to the ballot box to accomplish the deed. Let's just vote the money out of his pocket. Frederic Bastiat called it "legalized plunder" in his little classic, "The Law."

Those concerned with "the exact wording" of the oath should consider the more serious implications of the oath. It is the swearing in the presence of Almighty God (since they did use the "Lincoln Bible) to uphold the Constitution of the United States. This being the case, why were there so many violations in his campaign promises and his drive to squander the U.S. Treasury to nationalize industry (the banks, the auto industry, etc.).

What is next on his agenda? Where will it stop? Must we wait until we are flat on our backs? When shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed? Will it be when the tyrant has sentries of his civil army posted on every street corner? Is the end of America as we know it close at hand? When will Christians awaken to their calling to disciple the nations--and our own in particular?