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What are the Qualifications to be a Vermont elected Legislator/Representative?
by Nancy Gassett
We can all read if we choose, the abundance of letters written about candidates that are printed in the opinion pages and letter sections of newspapers, as well as the online posts during the months leading up to every election. This 2024 election season is no different. It seems obvious that many letters are solicited and written with the planned purpose to try and present a candidate as supported and qualified for the elected position they are seeking.
Generally, most letters report how “nice” certain candidates are and the “nice” things they do or have done as an offering of the qualification(s) needed to be elected. While being a “nice” person and doing “nice” things is certainly admirable, why are these attributes seen and presented as qualifications for holding elected office?
I believe we have forgotten what the true and right job description is for a person who is seeking to be our Elected Legislator/Representative. Our present situation in our Vermont General Assembly is the result of electing those who have failed to keep their Oath(s) or Affirmation(s). They agreed to the Vermont constitutional job description, under the pains and penalties of perjury yet, many didn’t have the courage or character to follow through in keeping their word.
Did they really intend to keep their Oaths or Affirmations? Do they really believe in our state and federal constitution(s)? Do they believe they are supposed to serve “The Collective Best Interests of Vermonters” while also protecting their rights and privileges? These are the questions we should be asking ALL candidates.
Below is the job description laid out in our Vermont Constitution for our elected legislators/representatives. Before entering upon the execution of office, each person elected must take this Oath or Affirmation:
Chapter II. Vermont State Constitution
PLAN OR FRAME OF GOVERNMENT;
DELEGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS;
§ 16. [REPRESENTATIVES’ OATHS]
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this Assembly, I will not propose, or assent to, any bill, vote or resolution, which shall appear to me injurious to the people, nor do nor consent to any act or thing whatever, that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge their rights and privileges, as declared by the Constitution of this State; but will, in all things, conduct myself as a faithful, honest Representative and guardian of the people, according to the best of my judgment and ability. (In case of an oath) So help me GOD. Under the pains and penalties of perjury.”
As citizens we have a functional part and duty if we expect to maintain our individual freedoms. As shown below in Article 6 and 7 of our Vermont Constitution, we are to hold our elected Ooficials legally accountable and also make changes to our government if it is not serving us.
Article 6. [Officers servants of the people]
That all power being originally inherent in and co[n]sequently derived from the people, therefore, all officers of government, whether legislative or executive, are their trustees and servants; and at all times, in a legal way, accountable to them.
Article 7. [Government for the people; they may change it] That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community, and not for the particular emolument or advantage of any single person, family, or set of persons, who are a part only of that community; and that the community hath an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right, to reform or alter government, in such manner as shall be, by that community, judged most conducive to the public weal.
Instead of choosing our elected officials by their “niceties” or how they make us “feel,” let’s be reminded of the true foundational job description that is laid out in our Vermont State Constitution. Let’s vote out those who are serving other agendas and do not serve us. Let’s choose persons who are committed to fulfilling their Oaths and Affirmations of Office. Let’s vote in those candidates who truly desire to serve the collective best interests of, “We The People of Vermont.”
The author is a Vernon resident and GOP nominee for the House of Representatives.
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Categories: Commentary
Hear, Hear! Thank you, Nancy, for reminding us all of the original intent of the founders of this great state of Vermont.
Instead of writing those letters supporting “Pete Moss” for State Representative or “Justin Case” for State Senate, we should be writing letters reminding everyone of the above oaths. And then, only then, should anyone be pointing out an exceptional candidate. Not because they helped us stack firewood last fall, but because they truly honored (or pledged to honor) the constitutional oath quoted in the piece above.
Unfortunately, I have the feeling that most of our “media outlets” will choose not to print such letters, falling back on “Your letter doesn’t comport with our Terms of Service”, or some other similar nonsense.
Most of them have earned the, “pains and penalties of perjury”
How are they administered?
The accountability lies with the voter, as written in our Vermont Constitution-
Chapter 1 Article 18.
That the people (voters and those who do not choose to vote) fail to hold their representatives accountable leads to the situation we see today.
From a 2022 letter to the Dem party circular massage in your local media, Nancy, for a state rep in your county:
“One of my best and brightest students is _______… I can still recall when(s)he was my world history, my U.S. historian my Level 4 Chinese Mandarin language classes… ____ began teaching English to local Taiwanese students when (s)he was still in high school (him/her) self…. (S)he has worked on State Department youth exchanges and brought dozens of Americans to South Asia on service learning programs. (S)he has a global outlook and compassion for the world’s people.”
This, not the Constitution, is what holds sway in Windham.
Asian theme? As Melissa Casey pointed out: https://vermontdailychronicle.com/executive-director-of-the-vermont-democrat-party-calls-trump-fascist-and-his-supporters-extremists/comment-page-1/#comment-78878
Godspeed to you and your campaign.
Blackmail and Bribery are a dirty business. Now, do you really think these crooks care about how you feel?????????
That is the mistake we make, repeatedly. Path people have little concern, classically known as fools, aka sociopaths, psychopaths, we are producing and training them for God sake, which is problematic.
So Vermont do you really think your representative is doing a just job for you, and the state, with debt, high taxes, tanked economy …….
So I know my representatives are a major part of the destruction within the state and my city, Oh yeah it’s a cesspool with crime, drugs, and homelessness panhandling on every corner or flopping on the sidewalks….. Progressive Utopia just stacks the deck with non-citizens, college students, day of registration and the list goes on, anything to stay in power.
I guess the oath they took to support the Constitution and the well-being of its citizens, doesn’t mean squat, just a formality, as we can see they won’t or don’t follow the oath they took.
Vote these agenda and backstabbing clowns out, then they’ll understand what it means to take an oath and stick to it, follow the money and the pet projects you’ll see.
Our constitutions are the highest law. Violators can be indicted by grand jury; it’s time for indictments, starting with those who refuse to enforce existing law. After a few indictments come out, the other criminals will get the message.
Vermont Constitution: Text of Section 56:
Oaths of Allegiance and Office
Every officer, whether judicial, executive, or military, in authority under this State, before entering upon the execution of office, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation of allegiance to this State, (unless the officer shall produce evidence that the officer has before taken the same) and also the following oath or affirmation of office, except military officers, and such as shall be exempted by the Legislature.
The Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance
You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will be true and faithful to the State of Vermont and that you will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing injurious to the Constitution or Government thereof. (If an affirmation) Under the pains and penalties of perjury.
The Oath or Affirmation of Office
You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will faithfully execute the office of ____ for the ____ of ____ and will therein do equal right and justice to all persons, to the best of your judgment and ability, according to law. (If an oath) So help you God. (If an affirmation) Under the pains and penalties of perjury.[1]
But where is the mechanism to file charges when they violate their oaths. There was a man before Covid that tried to file charges, but no officials would do anything they kept passing the buck to another official who would say it’s not my bailiwick.