Seems like only yesterday I was so excited to see our new President and congress take the oath of office...you remember the day dont you? January 20, 2009! The Pres stood, put his hand on the bible and loudly proclaimed:
"I do solemnly swear 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."
Ah the tears flowed down my chubby little dirty hippie cheeks that day! Finally, a Pres that would support the Constitution...nay...defend the constitution with his very soul!
And then the Senators I voted for went next:
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...yada yada yada... (okay that last part I added... Its what I think the founding fathers would have said if they had TV...by the way The quitter from Wasilla says the founding fathers invented TV).
Now fast forward to last week:
Our constitutional lawyer President basically stated that he wasn't going to put on his "lawyers hat" and give an opinion as to whether he could use the 14th amendment as the vehicle for paying our bills and preventing a default absent congressional authorization to raise the debt limit! And Senator Schumer stated that the option may be worth exploring...but not now! Really? Now is not the time to determine if the 14th amendment applies? When is the time? Both men pledged to uphold the constitution...does this mean everything except the 14th amendment?
14th Amendment (partial)..
"The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void."
Boy, the meaning seems clear to me! So, if its in the Constitution and you have sworn an oath to uphold said piece of paper, dont you kinda have to understand whats in it and what it means? And if you fail to uphold this amendment...are not you violating your oath? And isnt the failure to uphold the constitution an impeachable offense...for is it not treason against the U.S.? Or at least a misdemeanor? Or can one simply ignore the constitution at will?
You gotta have an opinion boys, or was the oath just a formality?