Making Hard Choices
Making a Public Budget
The weight of governance in this country is being shifted to the voting public. Whether or not a jury of our peers is still sufficient, we were faced with the judgement of a feckless Congress and a corrupt White House. We are faced with talk of annexing our best friend to the north and seizing the assets of a sovereign nation to the south. They are cutting Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
“There is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal,”
As they try to make these changes, we will need to reach a critical mass. It is time for the voting public to seize the process. We need our own public process to make our own plan. The best plan starts with a budget. If they will not, then ” We, the voting public will”. Remember, it only takes 1.2 % to claim a mandate.
Empowering Citizens to Shape the Future with the tools available to them.
Every official swears: *“to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”*
But what is an oath worth if the laws born of Article I, Section 9 are treated as optional? An oath broken is not paperwork. It is betrayal. It is perjury against the people’s trust. When OMB disregards budget control statutes, it is not just breaking rules — it is breaking faith.
And so the ladder must be rebuilt. Not by bureaucrats who shrug at their oath, but by citizens who refuse to let the purse be stolen. Budget Builder is not just a tool — it is a weapon of repair. Fourteen categories, real dollar figures, submitted to your representative. A people’s budget, drafted in public, restoring the chain from Constitution to law to execution.
Take My Country Back is dedicated to amplifying public voices, combating misinformation, and fostering informed voter engagement to strengthen democracy and protect civic integrity.
🔑 Takeaway
The real volatility is when OMB disregards budget control laws, it’s not just a bureaucratic issue — it touches the constitutional oath, the separation of powers, and public trust in fiscal governance.
Championing Democracy Through Voter Empowerment
Our elected officials are breaking the law. Congress enacts laws to enforce that constitutional command:
Anti-deficiency Act (1884, amended) → Prohibits spending beyond appropriations.
Impoundment Control Act (1974) → Prevents executive withholding of funds.
Balanced Budget & Emergency Deficit Control Act (1985) → Enforces deficit targets via sequestration.
PAYGO Act (2010) → Requires deficit-neutral legislation.
Restoring the Constitution
OMB’s Disregard
Each violation is not just a technical breach — it’s a break in the ladder between A (constitutional command) and B (statutory enforcement).
GAO rulings show OMB violated the Impoundment Control Act (e.g., Ukraine aid in 2019, NEVI program in 2023).
PAYGO and sequestration enforcement lapses show OMB failing to carry out statutory duties.
📋 Table: Oath Enforcement vs. Loopholes
| Mechanism | Intended Purpose | Loophole / Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Impeachment | Remove officials for high crimes/misdemeanors | Requires political consensus; many breaches don’t meet threshold |
| Criminal Law | Punish bribery, fraud, abuse | Only applies if conduct fits statute; “oath breaking” itself isn’t criminal |
| Censure/Reprimand | Public condemnation | Symbolic, no binding legal effect |
| GAO Findings | Identify statutory violations (e.g., ICA) | No direct penalties; relies on Congress or public pressure |
| Elections | Voter accountability | Slow remedy; depends on public awareness and turnout |
🔑 Takeaway
The loophole is that the oath is binding in principle but enforced indirectly. Violations often slip into gray zones where accountability depends on politics, law, or public trust rather than automatic consequences.
Keeping the Oath of Office
Growth of Disrespect
The oath of office is absolute in its language, but the enforcement is nuanced. There are loopholes in practice because violations of the oath don’t automatically trigger punishment; accountability depends on political processes (like impeachment), legal standards, or public trust rather than a single clear enforcement mechanism.
⚖️ Why Loopholes Exist in the Oath System
- Broad Wording, Narrow Enforcement
- The oath requires officials to “support and defend the Constitution” and “faithfully discharge duties.”
- But there’s no single statute that criminalizes “breaking the oath.” Instead, misconduct must fit into existing categories like treason, bribery, or high crimes and misdemeanors (for impeachment) or specific statutory violations (fraud, abuse of power).
- Impeachment as Political Remedy
- For federal officials, impeachment is the constitutional mechanism. Yet it requires majority support in the House and two‑thirds in the Senate — meaning enforcement depends on political will, not just the act itself.
- Statutory Violations vs. Oath Breach
- Laws like the Anti-deficiency Act or Impoundment Control Act can be violated without automatically being framed as “oath breaking.”
- GAO may rule OMB violated the ICA, but consequences are administrative or political, not criminal.
- Censure & Reprimand
- Congress can issue censures or reprimands for misconduct that doesn’t rise to impeachment. These are symbolic, not legally binding.
- Public Trust & Electoral Defeat
- Often the most direct consequence is political: loss of credibility, electoral defeat, or reputational damage. This is a “soft” enforcement mechanism, not a legal one.
Budget Blog – Social Security
Explore a collection of articles, perspectives, and tools designed to empower and educate voters on critical issues.
Championing Truth in Voting
Gerrymandering Texas will not lead to the outcome they expect. Join us to amplify your voice and receive updates on key voter issues @votingpublic.org.