We’ve spent the past couple of weeks watching numerous officials place their hand on a bible and swear oaths in America. The new House of Representatives just did it (even as over a hundred of those members continue to contest the 2020 election) and various members of the new administration have been shown with their hands on the bible, taking the same oaths of office as those from the previous administration. So, is it time to drop these pointless swear-sessions? Given that it doesn’t appear to be a deterrent anymore….
where is the “swearing of oaths” and “placing of hands on the bible” when elected officials like Senator Josh Hawley say: “I am objecting to the count of electors because the people of Missouri whom I represent have issues with the election”? Did he swear an oath to people? Was the placing of his hand on the bible an oath to people? If at the end of the day, decisions will be in accordance with what we say “people” want and not what an oath that we swore means we should do, what is the point of taking these oaths? You might as well stand there and place your hands in your pocket (not on a bible) and say your decisions will not be about the constitution nor convictions, but just based on what your electorate tell you (so that you can retain their vote)!
Fortunately, the days of instant biblical retribution, where you get struck by lightning if you forsake an oath are gone and people know they can place hands on bibles, swear whatever they are asked to swear, walk off and instantly forget about that oath and what it actually means to swear an oath.
The time to object to how an election is conducted is months and years before the election, if you claim your purpose is to improve election integrity. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz should be working hard now, asking for changes ahead of the next election. You don’t wait till votes have been cast and sense you are going to lose, to begin challenging ballot by mail and how many days after elections you can still count ballots and what date must be on the stamp etc. You want change, go after the roles now. Lobby each state now. Feel free to take a stand on the senate floor now. Because to do so AFTER an election, is simply sacrilegious!
Each state in America have their rules and that is what makes America: AUTONOMY! If anyone wants a state to alter their laws or approach to an election, you challenge them now. You challenge them AHEAD of an election. You don’t praise them when it worked for you in 2016 and then attack them when it doesn’t work for you in 2020 or we begin to make an absolute mockery of the principles of democracy. What just happened in America is an absolute embarrassment to the entire democratic world and will embolden those against freedom and democracy as they can now see how fragile democracy truly is. It relies too much on gentlemanly behaviour (or gentlewomanly if I may) and when you lack that virtue, you left hanging by a prayer..
But seriously, the pantomime of taking oaths and swearing on a bible has become as ridiculous as a 6-time divorcee saying the traditional words “till death do us part” at his 7th wedding ceremony!
What a farce!!!!
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