I am an oath keeper. I have been keeping my oath since the day I swore it back in early 1977. I gave my word before God, to a whole nation full of people even those yet unborn, to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. I gave my oath that I would protect their rights as if they were my own. I did not take that responsibility lightly then, and I do not take it lightly now. I meant it when I spoke it.
So, I joined a group of people whom I can relate to and for whom I have respect. Respect because we stand up and declare what we will NOT do. I mean, how often do you see that? Especially from a bunch military types. We all are much more used to lists that tell us what we will do or what must be done. But Oath Keepers has the most important list of all, in my opinion. We have a list of orders we absolutely will not follow. It is a list I am proud to display:
Declaration of Orders We Will NOT Obey – March 3rd, 2009 http://oathkeepers.org/oath/2009/03/03/declaration-of-orders-we-will-not-obey/
1. We will NOT obey orders to disarm the American people.
2. We will NOT obey orders to conduct warrantless searches of the American people
3. We will NOT obey orders to detain American citizens as “unlawful enemy combatants” or to subject them to military tribunal.
4. We will NOT obey orders to impose martial law or a “state of emergency” on a state.
5. We will NOT obey orders to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty.
6. We will NOT obey any order to blockade American cities, thus turning them into giant concentration camps.
7. We will NOT obey any order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext.
8. We will NOT obey orders to assist or support the use of any foreign troops on U.S. soil against the American people to “keep the peace” or to “maintain control.”
9. We will NOT obey any orders to confiscate the property of the American people, including food and other essential supplies.
10. We will NOT obey any orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances.
The above list is not exhaustive but we do consider them to be clear tripwires – they form our “line in the sand,” and if we receive such orders, we will not obey them.
Sometimes, particularly when electing someone to higher office, it is just as well to know what an individual will not do as it is to know what he/she will do. In my case, I do not run for office so I can do things; but rather, I run so I can undo things. I run so I can help remove the burden governments often put on citizens by freeing them from the costly chains of unconstitutional regulations. I want to see freedom return to the forefront of politics as the number one, dare I say the only issue worth discussing in any election. All freedoms will be recognized and all rights will be respected in a Wrights administration.
As governor of the great state of Texas I would wish to see us, once again, become known as the mecca of freedom that I believe we were intended to be. Folks came to Texas because they wanted freedom. They came to Texas to make their own way with no ruler, or group of rulers, telling them what they can do and what is forbidden. Independence was our early battle cry and those precious siblings Liberty and Freedom were our prize. So let it be again.
If you want to see Texas become a freer place to live, you can’t go wrong with Wrights.
l TOO am an ‘Oath Keeper’. I wish EVERY Libertarian would consider joining Oath Keepers in their local areas