The Case for Treason

There have been many reports that Congresspeople have signed pledges
to do or not do certain things. One of many is the pledge not to raise
taxes.

These pledges only represent a very small minority. Usually one person
is in charge of the pledge, like Norquist.

When a Congressperson is sworn in they take an oath of office. When they let the
former pledge override the duty of their office they become traitors and
then by the very nature of being a traitor they are guilty of Treason.

When these people let their selfishness to stay in office override their duty
to this country they are traitors. Did I mention there are many traitors in Congress??

When these people let signed pledges override their oath of office their become traitors.
When they fail to represent ALL the people through conscious effort they are traitors.

It is time to let these people know what we think of them.

I am pissed that there are people in charge of this government that feel
they are more important than the average American citizen. When that happens
a country is on the road to destruction. I believe one of the charges of Treason
is the working towards the destruction of the country.

“I, AB, 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.”

Any pledge that is not a violation of the constitution could not be treasonous.

A member of the House of Representatives has a duty first to the constitution and second to the people who elected her/him.

secrets that others thought could harm this country.
So anything that would harm this country could be classified
as Treason or that person would be a traitor.

If a Congressperson puts a corporation above the people
is that treason if it weakens this country?? The people are this
country and are the owners of the government. If actions
by Congress weakens the people then is that not weakening the government??
A weakened people is an attack on this country.

A foreign corporation buying votes is an attack on this country.

I see this country being attacked from inside and out.
Anyone that allows that is a traitor.

convicted of treason, usually, as in the case of the Rosenberg, they're convicted of violating the Espionage Act.

"The Rosenbergs were tried for espionage as opposed to treason because they did not spy for an enemy of the United States; they spied for one of our allies during World War II, the Soviets."

Here is some additional info regarding whether or not those who vote against raising the debt ceiling are committing a treasonous act:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1104652

"Under Article III, Section 3, of the Constitution, any person who levies war against the United States or adheres to its enemies by giving them Aid and Comfort has committed treason within the meaning of the Constitution. The term aid and comfort refers to any act that manifests a betrayal of allegiance to the United States, such as furnishing enemies with arms, troops, transportation, shelter, or classified information. If a subversive act has any tendency to weaken the power of the United States to attack or resist its enemies, aid and comfort has been given." (emphasis added.)

Remember, Osama bin Laden stated more than once his goal was to take down the economy of the U.S. Government. No one I know has ever disputed he (bin Laden) was an enemy of the U.S. Government, and some of these Republicans pretend shutting down the government doesn't bother them in the least if as a result their (Republicans') goals are reached. What is the difference between between a domestic politician saying this and someone belonging to al-Qaeda?

Personally, I think they are guilty of subversive acts against the Country, but I am not a Constitutional lawyer.

Sam

You don't get to define "traitor".

The authors of the constitution deliberately made if difficult to convict anyone of treason so partisans would be able to round up their political enemies and imprison/execute them. I can't imagine anyone here would want to lower that bar.

Anyone can make multiple oaths - and there is absolutely no reason to call it treason. The U.S. is a free country, and people can swear oaths: :

to their church/synagogue/mosque/atheist group

to their organization (e.g., VFW, American Legion, Army/Navy/Marines/Coast Guard, political party, etc.)

to the flag-country (Pledge of Allegiance)

to a court, Congressional hearing, town hall meeting, etc.

As part of a job: President, Congress, private employer, government employer, etc.


The idea that making a pledge is treasonous is an idiotic idea, IMO.

Which one is the ultimate oath??

Can one make an oath and put their god above all other oaths
when they take the oath of office??

That kind of does explain quite a bit :P

yes, us atheists are well known for our oaths :sarcasm: (just in case)

on edit: yeah, it sounds a bit snarky, just splitting hairs, I guess :hi:

and no amount of prevaricating, justifying and covering changes the fact that destroying our nation from within is treason.

I'll not excuse it on any day of the week, nor support anyone that does. I'll call it what it is - treason.

Or at least taken a high school civics class?

Article III Section 3:

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

What is the definition of an enemy??
And what is aid and comfort??


The federal government is investigating people that gave speeches to supposed enemies of the state.
That is a pretty broad definition according to the US government.........

They want a smaller government that does a lot less and costs a lot less to run. They don't want to increase taxes, because in their view, if you restrict governments revenue and its ability to borrow money, it will be forced to stop expanding and will begin shrinking. The tea baggers committed to their constituents to do just that; were elected on that basis and they are following through on that committment (It's unfortunate that many so called Democrats don't feel as compelled to honor their campaign committments). That is a radically different view than the Progressive view, but that does not make it treason. How can you call it treason when a substantial portion of the electorate voted for it? They are not trying to overthrow the government and it is not disloyal to have a different view of government's role. They are, however, exercising political clout that was won at the ballot box - big difference. That is how democracy works. Sometimes your opponents are holding a strong hand and you just have to deal with it regardless of how distasteful it is.

There is an enormous ideological divide in the country right now and we desperately need to find some common ground. Using pajoratives like traitor or sedition is neither accurate nor helpful.