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I have been fortunate to have had mentors over the years who helped shape my perspectives about many things. One such was a man who would frequently remind us that “No one wakes up in the morning planning to make a bad decision. Yet they do happen.” I thought then as I do now, that this is generally true – we don’t intend to screw things up. But there are exceptions. We are living with them even now.

Generations of Americans have worked and fought to build a society founded on constitutional ideals. The road we have traveled in pursuit of those ideals has had “many a winding turn” yet none-the-less has led us forward – until recently. We have lost our way.

Out of respect for the institutions that were forged and cared for by our forebearers over the last two and a half centuries, we have presumed that integrity and sober judgement will rise in the leaders we choose and that an oath, freely given, will bind them to honorable service. That presumption exists no longer. We have witnessed the wanton destruction of many of the underpinnings of our democracy while our representatives cower.

Some feel foolish to have believed that current leaders would meet the moment and represent us well and faithfully. But no one should feel guilt for a belief in the solemnity of an oath taken up by a leader as a guiding principle of their service. Belief in honorable service is a good thing. But failure to provide honorable service is a breach of our trust, belies the oath, and undermines our representation.

“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.”

Text of the Oath of Office of the United States

Our leaders cannot stand by while people are killed at sea in our name without any semblance of due process, as wars of choice are started in our name, as financial burdens are placed on our shoulders without sanction, and while corruption becomes a virus spreading throughout the whole of government. Cowering is not the answer. If leaders can find nothing to believe in and fight for amongst all this chaos, they must step aside and let others rise.

Kevin Deeny