Question From Mari Radtke to the candidates

Hello Gentlemen.

Thank you for your time last night at the Gaza Forum. The event
brought out a surprising crowd. That is good for making good,
informed choices.

I will get most of my information from our video, but I am left with
1 question that I would like each of you to reply to at this email
address, please. If you can get that sent to me before Sunday, that
is very appreciated.

In one of the final questions you were each asked about lying, being
untruthful to the public. Yes, that is simply a generalization of the
question. It is not word for word. Somehow the answers got shifted to
within the bounds of “under oath.” Under oath was not part of the
question. For clarification I would like to amend both the question
and your individual answers this way, please. And yes, your videoed
answer may be considered for any reporting that we may do about the
Gaza Forum

Every elected official must swear an oath of office. As an elected
official do you feel that you are “under [that] oath” at all times
during your term? Please explain your feelings about when an oath of
office is not in affect for elected officials.

Thank you,
Mari Radtke

Reply from Zach Dieken

Hey Mari,

Thanks for the question. I can see where you are coming from. I believe the question was more specifically asking about legal penalties or political ramifications in regards to simply lying to the public as an elected official. Because the question was specifically in regards to being punished for lying,  that’s why I think the answers shifted to under oath or not. 

I believe now you are asking a different question which leads me to believe you understand the premise behind why we answered the way we did? But perhaps not, I won’t make assumptions and am glad the question was asked. I think right now you are perhaps confusing “taking an oath” vs. “testifying or being put under oath”. As a state trooper I have taken an oath to use my authority to protect our communities and constitution. Meaning I promise to uphold the laws of the land and not go against them. This is different than me say testifying “under oath” to tell “the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God.” One could not make the argument that when I am off duty in the grocery store or in public, and I lie, that I am guilty of Perjury. I would however be guilty under the law and deserve criminal punishment for lying while giving sworn testimony in a criminal case during a trial. Just two examples… 

So, back to the question. I would appreciate if you would be willing to find out the actual question asked and reference that instead of generalizing it. I honestly don’t remember the specific question either, which is why I say that. Again, I believe the specific question was dealing with punishment or some type of ramification for lying as a public official. Since punishment is involved my answer drifted towards under oath or not. If a public official lies to the public say, in their community or in a town hall, there are no legal ramifications for it. Perjury is a criminal charge meant to punish those lying under oath in criminal or civil case matters. A lying Politician doesn’t fit into either of those. Democrats and Republicans a like lie repeatedly in attempt to win policy arguments or make a point. As I said, the ballot box is for removing lying politicians. Hillary Clinton is a good example, she wasn’t guilty of perjury until she lied to Congress under oath in an investigation. All the other times she lied to the media or the American ppl don’t come with criminal punishment. It was up to the people to vote her out. 

Since the original question is different than what you’re asking now and how you’ve generalized it I would say this: 

Just as I have sworn to uphold and protect the constitution as a state trooper, this doesn’t mean there is criminal punishment for lying off duty at the grocery store. Should I ever lie? Absolutely not, and I don’t. As a Christian man I have strong convictions about upholding Gods law. An elected official taking an oath to uphold and defend the constitution( I think that’s what they swear too, I’ve never been sworn in as an elected official), isn’t liable to be punished by lying to the public about say, an affair they had. One could make the argument that lying doesn’t uphold the oath to serve and protect, but that is still different than lying under the oath of a criminal case. If I lie to the public as a senator in the grocery store, than that person should be upset and call me out. They should vote against me. They cannot bring criminal charges against me however. This is why the actual question that was asked was important… the question asked involved punishment. The punishment is the power of the people removing liars from office. Thus, we have an obligation to hold our elected officials accountable. 

In closing, to come full circle. Elected officials should not be allowed to lie period. There is no excuse for it and the consequences should be removal from office via the ballot box or they should be criminally charged if lying under oath. The media should absolutely be asking the right questions and doing investigative journalism to find these things out. Thus holding people accountable. I apologize for the lengthy response, but I felt it was necessary to expound on the details. 

Thanks for caring enough to ask.

Respectfully,

Zach Dieken