Commentary: oath of office

Elected officials take this oath upon assuming office:

I, [name] , do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Minnesota and faithfully discharge the duties of the office of [office] in the City of Maplewood, in the County of Ramsey and the State of Minnesota, to the best of my judgment and ability. So help me God.

Part of what this means is that officials are to govern in the manner specified in our constitutions, even if they think government ought to work in some other way. This is at the heart of a basic principle - the rule of law.