Why did America’s Founders include this Oath in the U.S. Constitution?

Lloyd Lofthouse
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U.S. Constitution: Article II, Section 1, Clause 8:

“Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:–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.”

For those that are elected to the U.S. Congress or those that join the U.S. military or a federal law enforcement agency, there is a similar oath.

5 U.S. Code § 3331.Oath of office

“An individual, except the President, elected or appointed to an office of honor or profit in the civil service or uniformed services, shall take the following oath: “I, AB, 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.” This section does not affect other oaths required by law.”

Now, what does it mean to be a patriot or a loyalist?

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries says patriotism means “Love of your country and the desire to defend it.”  

What does it say for a loyalist?  “A person who promises support and commitment to the leader or government, or to a political party, especially during a time of change.”

If you support the Constitutional Oath, you cannot be a patriot or loyalist.

A patriot may defend his/her country but ignore the U.S. Constitution.

A loyalist promises to support a leader, the government or a political party but does not have to support the U.S. Constitution.

The mob that attacked the capital of the United States on January 6, 2021, claimed they were patriots but at the same time most if not all of them were totally loyal to one man, Donald Trump. This mob was ready to hang members of the U.S. Congress and several people died because of this assault on the U.S. capital.

What about you?

Do you support the U.S. Constitution against all enemies foreign or domestic, or do you consider yourself a patriot or loyalist?

Do you think you know the answer to the question that is the title of this post?

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Lloyd Lofthouse is a former U.S. Marine and Vietnam combat veteran with a BA in journalism and an MFA in writing, who taught in the public schools for thirty years (1975 – 2005).

“Running with the Enemy” was awarded an honorable mention in general fiction at the 2013 San Francisco Book Festival. The winners were honored on May 18, 2013 at a free, day-long public festival held at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco followed by a private awards ceremony that evening.

Awarded an honorable mention in general fiction at the 2013 Hollywood Book Festival. The award ceremony was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Saturday evening, July 20.

Awarded Runner Up (2nd place) in general fiction at the 2013 Beach Book Festival. Following a free, day-long book festival and publishing seminar at the Radisson Martinque on Broadway Hotel in New York City, there was a private awards ceremony.

Awarded honorable mention in general fiction at the 2013 New York Book Festival. The winners were honored at a private ceremony at the Grolier Club in Manhattan on June 21, followed by a free, day-long festival open to the public on June 22.

“Obviously drawn from the author’s first-hand experiences as a Marine serving in Vietnam, ‘Running with the Enemy’ is a … heartfelt war story. …The book is sometimes too obviously drawn from his experience. But ultimately that’s a small complaint about a book that, on the whole, is quite good and has a lot to say about the nature of that conflict and the passion for the subject matter out-shines some limitations in the writing.” – 21st Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards commentary of anonymous judge

Running with the Enemy by [Lloyd Lofthouse]

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Running with the Enemy is also available through Kindle Unlimited

Responses to “Why did America’s Founders include this Oath in the U.S. Constitution?”

  1. stiegem Avatar
    stiegem

    Amen.
    I kind of doubt that the tyrant Donald Trump and his loathsome supporters would come after you and yours. But you are well trained and well equipped to “defend” yourself against them.
    I am not.
    Should I buy a gun to defend myself in America? And get the training to use that gun properly?
    It’s all about words and the way one thinks.
    Consult Noam Chomsky on those words.
    Consult anyone else ( including the above) on why and how people think the way they do.
    Experience is the best teacher.
    I have not experienced what you have. I try to understand how people think that fighting and killing and war is somehow the best choice they can make to resolve differences they see.
    Richard Sapolsky – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Sapolsky explains this well, I think.
    It’s about survival, right? Of the fittest, right?
    Maybe I’ll get fit.

    Reply
    1. Lloyd Lofthouse Avatar
      Lloyd Lofthouse

      War is hell. Too bad so many leaders like Hitler, Putin, and so many other monsters always resort to violence to feed their egos or boost their profits/power while someone else dies and/or suffers as they grow their wealth and power.

      I think the best way to resolve differences is to strip the leaders of the countries and corporations that are having problems, lock them in a room naked with no weapons, turn out the lights so they have no light, and tell them the door will not open until both are dead or there is only one heartbeat left.

      As for buying a firearm and learning how to use it properly, that is an individual choice. As long as the U.S. Constitution is our primary course of law most people will not need firearms unless they fear that someone might break into their house when they are home. Then all they need is a shotgun and time to get it out of the safe it is kept in. Shotguns are point and fire weapons. Not much aiming needed. Inside, they are lethal.

      Reply
    2. Lloyd Lofthouse Avatar
      Lloyd Lofthouse

      I don’t think the survival of the fittest is who is physically stronger or more violent. I think the survival of the fittest has to do with who uses their mind best (critical thinking, problem-solving) instead of using violence to achieve victory.

      But when a monster like Putin attacks with his army and thugs, we have no choice but to fight back using what weapons we have, and our mind is a weapon, too.

      For instance, Alexander the Great’s teacher was Aristotle who taught Alexander how to use his mind to achieve victory over brute force.

      Reply
  2. stiegem Avatar
    stiegem

    I would suggest you consult Noam Chomsky on this one. Or a constitutional lawyer who interprets the way we want.
    And I would add my own opinion by saying; it’s a new day, it’s a new time, it’s a new era, times are a changing, change is inevitable…
    I’m real old school : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7qQ6_RV4VQ

    Reply
    1. Lloyd Lofthouse Avatar
      Lloyd Lofthouse

      Things are always changing. However, I prefer that they change for the better and not get worse.

      Reply
      1. stiegem Avatar
        stiegem

        Everyone prefers that things change for the better and not get worse. Therefore you are in the majority of the human pole (shall we say).
        It is how each one of us snowflakes react and respond to the change that is judged better or worse by anyone.
        You and I both agree on how very important education plays in, you know, what we are taught to believe as we are developmentally growing into the ability to think as best as our intellects avail us. Education encompasses the globe. It is also encased in culture, and religion, and politics, and history, and literature and money. You must believe in your country and be willing to FIGHT for it? That is what I was was taught. But that does not mean I believe in fighting. Take it to the limit and call it war. My opinion (again) is that I am not willing (nor have I taken a so-called “oath”) to WAR (fight and kill) for anything like a government. What is that oath or promise we took at marriage? Or when we were drafted? Or when enlisting in the military? https://wikidiff.com/oath/promise#:~:text=As%20nouns%20the%20difference%20between,oath%20or%20affirmation%3B%20a%20vow. And what is the difference?

      2. Lloyd Lofthouse Avatar
        Lloyd Lofthouse

        The oath I took when I joined the U.S. Marines in 1965 didn’t say we had to fight for our country or its government. That oath was and still is part of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Founding fathers included that oath in the U.S. Constitution. Every president takes that oath when they are sworn to serve their country. Every member of Congress takes that oath after being elected. Everyone that voluntarily joins the military takes a similar oath. Everyone that joins one of the seven federal unformed law enforcement agencies takes that oath, the FBI, NCIS, the Secret Service, the CIA, et al.

        That is the oath I wrote about in this post. The reason I’m willing to fight to defend the U.S. Constitution and what it stands for is explained by this quotation from Martin Niemoller

        “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

        Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

        Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

        Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

        https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/martin-niemoeller-first-they-came-for-the-socialists

        The last thing I want to do is fire one of the weapons I keep locked in a safe. I’ve owned those firearms for decades but haven’t fired a shot since I was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marines in 1968.

        But I am more than willing to fight if a tyrant like Donald Trump sends his loathsome supporters for me, my family, my friends, and my neighbors. And I am not alone. There are millions of adult Americans of all ages that took that oath that are also willing to stand up and fight a fascist like Donald Trump and his fascist loyalists.

  3. Lloyd Lofthouse Avatar
    Lloyd Lofthouse

    Reblogged this on Crazy Normal – the Classroom Exposé and commented:

    What is the difference between a patriot, a loyalist, and someone willing to defend the U.S. Constitution against all enemies foreign or domestic?

    Reply

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