I took this oath when I joined the U.S. Army in 1966: “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; 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.”

With minor changes this is the same oath the First Congress passed, becoming law in 1789. It’s given to the president, members of Congress, everyone in all branches of the military and to officeholders in the state of Maine.

Perhaps instead of “pledging allegiance to the flag,” we should all pledge allegiance to the Constitution as we face the flag. This is what the flag stands for, not a person or a political party. Anything less is a betrayal of that oath.

And regardless of claims, no American president can wave away complex issues that cause inflation. Today’s inflation is global. We made it through the 1970s, when lines of cars stretched for blocks to get gas, and home mortgages hit over 17%. Support candidates who have concrete plans, not empty promises. And singing “I Will Survive” helps.

Honoring the sacrifice of generations who have given life, limbs and sometimes sanity, does not mean waving a flag. It means voting at the place where you see the flag displayed. We are living in a time when citizen’s rights are being taken away and threatened as never before. If you don’t vote for democracy, what kind of a country will we have when financial normalcy returns?

Democracy is on the ballot. Vote.

 

Gordon Stevens

Gardiner

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