Thread: Do we need a political Hippocratic oath?

Physicians have, traditionally, been attributed as subscribers to the Hippocratic oath. One of the principal tenets of this oath is to do no harm. Of late I have noticed that our Presidency and Congress are beset by scoundrels, mountebanks, canards, and such ilk. People who seek not to act in the best interest of the nation, but in their own best interests at the expense of the nation. Perhaps what we need is a political Hippoctratic oath.

I swear to keep according to my ability and my judgement, the following Oath:

To consider dear to me as my parents those who elected me to this office; to honestly and faithfully discharge my duties in representing them, always remembering that public office is a sacred trust.

I will act in the public interest, according to my ability and judgement, and never do harm to anyone.

To please no one will I accept financial contributions, other non-financial support or gifts from any interest with a matter under consideration before me.

Nor will I act upon, or otherwise influence the decision making process, in any matter in which I, my family, agents, assigns, friends, business partners, associates, or acquaintances have a personal interest.

But I will preserve the integrity of my public office

I will not allow partisan political interests to predominate over the general welfare, even those interests of my own political party;

In every public duty where I act, I will act only for the good of my constituents, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing.


All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.

If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my profession, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.

Reading that oath is music to my eyes, if only it could be done is another matter.

Originally Posted by johnlocke

Physicians have, traditionally, been attributed as subscribers to the Hippocratic oath. One of the principal tenets of this oath is to do no harm. Of late I have noticed that our Presidency and Congress are beset by scoundrels, mountebanks, canards, and such ilk. People who seek not to act in the best interest of the nation, but in their own best interests at the expense of the nation. Perhaps what we need is a political Hippoctratic oath.

I swear to keep according to my ability and my judgement, the following Oath:

To consider dear to me as my parents those who elected me to this office; to honestly and faithfully discharge my duties in representing them, always remembering that public office is a sacred trust.

I will act in the public interest, according to my ability and judgement, and never do harm to anyone.

To please no one will I accept financial contributions, other non-financial support or gifts from any interest with a matter under consideration before me.

Nor will I act upon, or otherwise influence the decision making process, in any matter in which I, my family, agents, assigns, friends, business partners, associates, or acquaintances have a personal interest.

But I will preserve the integrity of my public office

I will not allow partisan political interests to predominate over the general welfare, even those interests of my own political party;

In every public duty where I act, I will act only for the good of my constituents, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing.


All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.

If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my profession, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.

Yes bring on the Oath for politics

This is the oath that the President takes when innagurated into office:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

First, do no harm. I don't know if the greatest man alive could do that AND lead a nation.

I'd like to think so.

Originally Posted by Dr.Knuckles

First, do no harm. I don't know if the greatest man alive could do that AND lead a nation.

I'd like to think so.

The President of the United States is the Chief of the Executive Branch and is Therefore incharge of the military. The military has an entirely different role than a doctor. It is silly.

Ban political party members from holding office. That would be the smartest first step.

Originally Posted by justoneman

The President of the United States is the Chief of the Executive Branch and is Therefore incharge of the military. The military has an entirely different role than a doctor. It is silly.

Why is it silly to ask that the President, or any other elected official, meet the same ethical standards we would impose on others who make life and death decisions?

Originally Posted by johnlocke

Why is it silly to ask that the President, or any other elected official, meet the same ethical standards we would impose on others who make life and death decisions?

Because one is a doctor sworn to save life and one is incharge of serving and protecting the constitution. In the course of protecting the Constitution, The President (who commands the military) will need to be able to go to war. In war the object is to kill people. It is the opposite of what a doctor does. The President swears an oath already. It is to the Constitution. It is written in the Constitution that he do this. You cannot change that. I do not want that changed. It is as it should be. That is why it is silly.

Originally Posted by justoneman

This is the oath that the President takes when innagurated into office:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Boy, did he ever screw the pooch or what?? President Fuckstick is an insult to our constitution.