In January, Senator Tom Coburn announced that he would be retiring after 20 years in Congress.
During a very emotional farewell speech yesterday, Coburn (R-OK) said some thank yous and goodbyes, but also managed to issue a warning that every one of his colleagues in Washington should heed.
The oath that each Senator takes upon being sworn into office does not mention kickbacks for their individual states, according to Coburn.
Rather, he explained, “Your whole goal is to protect the United States of America, its Constitution and its liberties.”
“It’s not to provide benefits for your state.”
Watch Coburn’s message below …
Here is the oath Senator Coburn is referring to:
I 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.
It’s not all gloom and doom however.
Via The Blaze:
“Can we cheat history?” he asked rhetorically. “Can we do something better than has been done in the past?
“I honestly believe we can,” continued Coburn. “But I don’t believe we can if we continue to ignore the wisdom of our founding documents.”
Let’s hope Senator Coburn’s message leaves an indelible mark on the minds of his colleagues as they move forward. Coburn’s career is marked by numerous attempts to block bills that included too much waste or overspending, no matter how popular they might be back home. It happened so frequently, Coburn earned the nickname ‘Dr. No.’
Tell us – Who in Congress today will carry on the legacy of upholding the Constitution the way Senator Coburn has during his career?
