Kentucky's Oath of Office
In today's column, Joe Gerth ponders Kentucky's Oath of Office, and makes a few suggestions. There is an effort underway in the Kentucky House to remove the part of the oath that makes the incoming officer swear that he or she has never taken part in a duel. If the dueling part is removed, Gerth has a few recommendations to replace it:
In all seriousness, this state has many problems that -- if attacked through the oath of office -- could be solved.
For instance, with a new oath, politicians could be forced to "further solemnly swear that since the adoption of the present Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not accepted money or campaign contributions in exchange for a vote, nor have I upon accepting such a gift replied, 'Bless your heart,' so help me God."
Or how about requiring them to "further solemnly swear that since the adoption of the present Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not slept with a person I appointed to a state board or commission, so help me God."
Maybe they could "further solemnly swear that since the adoption of the present Constitution, I, being a citizen of this State, have not allowed a state merit employee to be hired, fired or transferred because of political reasons, so help me God."
While Gerth seems to concentrate on real and alleged scandal in the Governor's office, there are much more useful things that could be pledged. Like vowing to make state expenditures match tax revenues, and not the other way around. Or vowing to put state spending online and having the budget publicly available for 24 hours before voting on it.
What would you have our legislators pledge? Email us!
