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Sunday, February 03, 2008

An Oath

I _______________ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this General Assembly, I will, in all appointments, vote without favor, affection, partiality, or prejudice; and that I will not propose or assent to any bill, vote or resolution, which shall appear to me injurious to the people, or consent to any act or thing, whatever, that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge their rights and privileges, as declared by the Constitution of this state.

Tenn. Const. art. X, § 2 (emphasis added).

This is the oath that a member of the Tennessee General Assembly is administered before she or he takes office.

You'd think this oath alone (if meant when sworn to or affirmed) would prevent a member of the General Assembly from voting for any bill supporting caps on a citizens's right to damages or a citizen's right to sue a corporation (with a jury). After all, who does the legislature represent, corporations or the people?

Food for thought.

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