TRUE THE BALLOT: Seeking Examination Input

True the Ballot has been established to vet candidates, public officials, and citizens in terms of their fidelity to the Constitution, Oaths of Office, and Citizenship.

The vetting process will be relatively simple: an examination which when passed with all answers correct, will grant a certificate of exam success, likely graded.

It will offer up to twelve essay questions from which the examinee must choose at least two and answer using 50 to 100 words. The more answers they give, the higher their standing.

It will offer a pool of 25 true/false questions, 5 of which will be randomly selected for the examinee to answer.

It will offer a pool of 25 multiple choice questions, 5 of which will be randomly selected for the examinee to answer.

I am here soliciting input from Freepers to formulate the content of these questions.

These questions are not to involve policy issues, like taxation, foreign affairs, candidate advocacy, recent news, and the like. Instead they are to bring out the fundamental principle of a self-governing people under the Constitutional Republic we have inherited by virtue of our Founding Fathers and the grace of God.

Also, it is not necessary to make the test difficult. Only effective. The answers should not be subject to nuance, but clear.

1.)Why are you required to take an oath of office? 2.) Where does authority for the office you seek come from? 3.) What is the purpose of the US Constitution? 4.) What is the difference between a citizen of the USA and a citizen of the world? 5.) What is the difference between a right and a privilege? Give examples. 6.) How does the office you seek serve the purposes stated in the US Constitution? 7.) What bearing does your conscience have on the constituency you seek to serve? 8.) What set of principles are the foundation for your daily life and decision making? 9.) What does the word "unalienable" mean in terms of our founding documents? 10.) Give two examples of how you could violate your oath of office.

I have not formulated any true/false or multiple choice questions yet, but have a few in mind. Please help.

This is a serious attempt to strike at the root of poor governance by holding candidates and public officials accountable before they take office, and citizens as they enjoy the blessings of liberty. Please be serious in any attempts to assist.

I am beginning in St. Joseph County, Indiana with a list of every single individual of whom the Oath of Office is required, along with every registered voter.

The former will be publicly listed at True the Ballot to see who they are and whether they took or passed the exam. They will be notified mercilessly by certified mail, email, phone, or even personal visit.

The latter will receive a letter inviting them to take the exam and thereby demonstrate the very fidelity they should have as citizens of The United States.

To ignore said notice and exam will constitute tacit ignorance, apathy, evasion of, or malice toward, the Constitution, Oath of Office, and Citizenship.

To embrace this request will constitute explicit concern for and acceptance of, governance in accord with the Constitution, Oath of Office, and Citizenship.

My website launches later this year, God willing. You may see its current condition by clicking on the link attached to this post.

I have written, recorded, and produced several 30-second commercials for radio/TV but they are on the amateur side. You can see those here:

Thus far I have spent about $5K out of pocket. For this effort to have its intended effect I will need donors and volunteers, especially from St. Joseph County, Indiana.

I will be seeking legal counsel as to whether I can do this WITHOUT forming a business or organization. I am not in this to pay myself. The only dividend I seek is better governance where I live, and to see it inculcated nationwide.

Here are some I came up with today, though “5.)” requires further study.

1. ) True or false: The text of the Constitution means whatever the reader wants it to mean.

2.) Which of the following words is NOT used in the Preamble to the US Constitution:

A. tranquility
B. blessings
C. freedom
D. posterity

3. )True or false: Voting is an unalienable right.

4.) True or false: An Oath of Office is legally binding.

5.) All of the following are “Blessings of Liberty” except:

A. Property
B. Tax Policies
C. Life
D.

6.) The “pursuit of happiness” means . . .

A. Watching the years go by peacefully.
B. Aiming for retirement.
C. Striving to be of good conscience.
D. Seeking to feel happy.

7.)The US Constitution...

A. Is the supreme law of the United States.
B. Can never be changed.
C. Is a by product of White Supremacy.
D. Applies to the whole world.

8.) True or false: The Preamble to the US Constitution is a source of law.

9.) True or false: People who enter our borders without documentation are guaranteed the right to due process under the US Constitution.

10.) A candidate found breaking his/her Oath of Office is subject to (check all that apply):

____ a parking ticket
____ removal from office
____ recall
____ free golf outings for life
____ impeachment

11.) True or false: A public official can advocate for a form of government other than a Constitutional Republic without violating his/her Oath of Office.

QUESTIONS FOR INCUMBENT CANDIDATES

INSTRUCTIONS: This examination is to be used by all individuals holding public office within the United States of America to indicate both an understanding of their duties as declared by their oath of office and an understanding of how the office they hold is related to that oath. All answers and information you provide will be made available for citizens of the USA to see.

TRUE/FALSE
Each correct answer is worth 5 points. Circle “T” if true, “F” if false:

1. T F The text of the Constitution means whatever the reader wants it to mean.
2. T F Voting is an unalienable right.
3. T F An Oath of Office is legally binding.
4. T F The Preamble to the US Constitution is a source of law.
5. T F People who enter our borders without documentation are guaranteed the right to due process under the US Constitution.
6. T F A public official can advocate for a form of government other than a Constitutional Republic without violating his/her Oath of Office.
7. T F The Declaration of Independence is a legally binding document.
8. T F For a public official to accept wealth from foreign entities as a condition of favorable policies in return is a violation of their Oath.
9. T F Without Oaths of Office any form of government is invalid.
10. T F The President is treated as a citizen under the US Constitution.

MULTIPLE CHOICE
Each correct answer is worth 5 points. Circle the letter corresponding to the correct answer.

1.) Which of the following words is NOT used in the Preamble to the US Constitution:

a) tranquility
b) blessings
c) freedom
d) posterity

2.) The “pursuit of happiness” means . . .

a) Watching the years go by peacefully.
b) Aiming for retirement.
c) Striving to be of good conscience.
d) Seeking to feel happy.

3.) The US Constitution...

a) Is the supreme law of the United States.
b) Can never be changed.
c) Is a byproduct of White Supremacy.
d) Applies to the whole world.

4.) A candidate found breaking his/her Oath of Office is subject to (check all that apply):

____ a parking ticket
____ removal from office
____ recall
____ free golf outings for life
____ impeachment

5.) What is the primary purpose of the Oath of Office for federal officials in the United States?

a) To pledge loyalty to the President
b) To swear to uphold the Constitution
c) To commit to a political party’s agenda
d) To promise to serve a specific term length

6.) Which U.S. official is required to take the Oath of Office as prescribed in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution?

a) Vice President
b) Speaker of the House
c) President
d) Chief Justice

7.) What phrase is included in the Oath of Office for most federal employees, except the President, as outlined in 5 U.S.c) § 3331?

a) “Protect the nation from foreign threats”
b) “Support and defend the Constitution”
c) “Serve the public with integrity”
d) “Obey the laws of the land”

8.) Who typically administers the Oath of Office to the President of the United States during the inauguration?

a) The Vice President
b) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
c) The Speaker of the House
d) The Secretary of State

9.) Which of the following is NOT a requirement in the Oath of Office for members of Congress?

a) Bearing true faith and allegiance to the Constitution
b) Taking the oath freely without mental reservation
c) Promising to maximize government efficiency
d) Promising to faithfully discharge duties

10.) What is the process called for formally changing the Constitution?

a) Revision
b) Amendment
c) Ratification
d) Repeal

ESSAY
Each cogent answer is worth 20 points. Using separate pages, choose and respond to at least two of the following questions using at least 50 but no more than 200 words. Extra credit for each additional question answered.

1.)Why are you required to take an oath of office?
2.) Where does authority for the office you seek come from?
3.) What is the purpose of the US Constitution?
4.) What is the difference between a citizen of the USA and a citizen of the world?
5.) What is the difference between a right and a privilege? Give examples.
6.) How does the office you seek serve the purposes stated in the US Constitution?
7.) What bearing does your conscience have on the constituency you seek to serve?
8.) What set of principles are the foundation for your daily life and decision making and why those principles?
9.) What does the word “unalienable” mean in terms of our founding documents?
10.) Give two examples of how you could violate your oath of office.
11.) Describe the difference between Democracy and a Constitutional Republic
12.) If you were to revoke your US Citizenship what would change?

NAME: _______________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS 2: __________________________________________________________________
CITY:________________________________________ ST: ______ ZIP: ___________________
PHONE: (_____) ______________________________
EMAIL: _______________________________________________________________________
OFFICE SOUGHT: _____________________________________________________________

For grading please mail to: True the Ballot

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