One would think a person who had achieved the position of Legislator would have at least a rudimentary understanding of the Constitutions, both Federal and State.
Upon reflection, it can only be surmised that these individuals know the legalities, but chose to maneuver around the protections offered by these documents for self serving reasons. What those reasons are is the basis of the questions we should be asking.
The foundation of the Constitutions is ancient, a study of the process that lead to the codification of those principals should be required in our education institutions. A desire by the framers, upon the realization of Liberty as a result of our Revolution, to put in writing the principals of freedom least they become lost in the political reach for power is what led to the listing of these rules. These words are chains put in place by those men who had a vested interest in the future of our Nation, who had seen what absolute Power could, and did force on the population. A listing of binding restraint in the Constitution, and then a listing of Rights that should never be constrained.
Each of our public servants affirm their acceptance of those principals, and promises to protect the documents (and the safeguards afforded our personal Liberty) from harm and usurpation upon taking their oath of office. The Pledge of Allegiance reminds them all through their life that we have a Republic that stands for Liberty for all. There is no possibility that they are ignorant of the purposes of the Constitutions, therefore, there must be willful intent to fail to uphold them.
"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." Samuel Adams
TFA/NRA Life Member
Chapter Leader, West TN Regional Chapter