Ever had to take a loyalty oath before?

[QC]

I just started a state job this week, and while I was in the personnel office filling out insurance paperwork and such, I was given a form to sign attesting that I support the Constitution of the United States.

I didn't have any qualms at all about signing it, since I do in fact support the Constitution, which is why Bu$hcorp pisses me off to no end, but I was still surprised. I thought this sort of thing ended back when McCarthy's liver finally gave out.

Has anyone else had to do this? Is it common?

[Xipe Totec]

1. When I signed Mine

I still had to affirm that I was not now, nor had I ever been a member of the Communist party.

Been a while.

[QC]

2. How long ago? I'm talking about yesterday! n/t

[Xipe Totec]

11. More than A Score of Years Ago

For a security clearance. Ah, the Reagan years. I look back and cringe.

[meti57b]

3. just when I got married.

[Massacure]

6. Aren't there laws against political discrimination?

[Pepperbelly]

10. requiring support of the Constitution for ...

a job with the state does not seem heavy-handed to me at all although it does remind me of Great Loyalty Oath Crusade in Catch-22.

edited for a broken keyboard and consequent errors.

[Massacure]

20. Oh, I just reread his post and he did say state job.

I must have accidently skipped over the word state.

[Gildor Inglorion]

4. Yep...

when I was inducted into the US Army. In 1966.

[BrotherBuzz]

5. I think I swore an oath to that effect...

When my butt got drafted. It's all a blur now.

[Cerridwen]

7. February of this year

to take a job as a financial nerd at a university.

I affirmed instead of swore and got a quizzical look from the notary.

I understand it's common practice at many universities; a remnant of the McCarthy era and their fear of them communist, liberal teacher types.

[Cleita]

8. I have never had to do this, ever.

This is not right. I think I would have said when the Bush White House and the Supreme Court prove that they are upholding the Constitution, then I will sign this. Of course, I really wouldn't say that, but I sure would be thinking about it.

[Snow]

9. Back when I joined Peace Corps, I swore some oath, but I don't

do oaths anymore, since I'm a Quaker...I don't do the "affirm" thing, either - an oath is an oath, and Quakers don't do 'em. Nobody ever makes a fuss about it, though, even for jury duty. Guess they don't want to argue religion.

[CaTeacher]

12. Can I ask which state? n/t

n/t

[Xipe Totec]

13. I Also Had To Take An Oath

When I became naturalized. But that was a lot earlier still.

Had to swear to uphold the constitution, defend the flag, and never take up arms against the government of the US.

Pretty standard stuff. I think it's still part of the citizenship oath.

[Ezlivin]

14. Yeah, when I joined the Navy

And when I married my wife.

Honestly, the wife made it much more fun to be loyal. So I ditched the Navy and kept the wife.

26 years later and I don't regret THAT oath of loyalty.

[politicat]

15. When I signed mine, I had to swear I wasn't a member of the Communist

Party. That was 1994 in Arizona, working for the state higher ed system.

I'm a Dem and have been all my life, but at that time, I was flirting with socialism as a viable economic alternative to capitalism. (I married the sucker, as it happens! *grin*)

I had to be very careful, and did in fact get in trouble a couple of times for standing up to my boss when she tried to give us work far outside our job descriptions and for trying to organize. I quit that job when I got my psychologist's license.

Pcat

(edited to include year, state and job type.)

[vetwife]

17. Yep to the Consitution and it said all enemies foreign & DOMESTIC

to protect America from all enemies foreign and DOMeSTIC !
Who is the domestic enemy? Huh? Some residing where they shouldn't?

[proud patriot]

16. The only oath I've sworn is the "girl scout" oath

I still live by it .

[0007]

18. Many times - Even Armed Forces had to sign one.

Supporting the Constitution wasn't enough in the 50's, they wanted to know if you ever read the Daily Worker or knew anyone that belonged to the Communist Party.

[puerco-bellies]

19. Twice

Once when joining the Navy and the second time when I got a student job at a local college. Don't want any commies doling out 'tator tots.

[skygazer]

21. Sure, it's common

Every state and national rep or senator swears an oath. The Pres and Vice swear an oath. I'm sure judges must. I'm not big on publicly swearing oaths - seems real medieval to me - but it's been a practice since the founding. It's not like it's new.

[Glacier]

22. I will refuse to take a loyalty oath for anything and anyone.

I don't support it at all. Why force someone to pledge their loyalty?

[skygazer]

23. Exactly

Seems sort of desperate, doesn't it?

Welcome, by the way.

[Glacier]

25. Yes it does.

And thank you.

[kodi]

24. of course, real insurrectionists will tell the truth.

"yes sir, i am so honest that even under threat of incarceration, i admit wanting to destroy the government. now where's my office?"