When an American president takes the Oath of Office, he places his hand on a Bible. But he doesn’t swear an oath to his God, or his country, or a monarch. He swears to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” All high government officials and military officers swear this same oath. To them, the oath is more than just a formality that one must go through to get a decent job. Bringing the Constitution into the picture lends these ceremonies a near-religious significance.Too bad MORE of them (esp. the 'RATS) don't take it seriously !!The United States Constitution is considered by Americans to be almost divinely inspired, and is not to be tinkered with lightly. If you are negotiating a treaty with the United States government, you had better make absolutely certain that it doesn’t violate their Constitution—because if it does, you won’t get very far. And don’t even bother to suggest to an American that they should amend their Constitution in order to bring it more in line with the values of the international community. Americans may vigorously debate the meaning and intent of individual articles and amendments amongst themselves, but the wise foreigner will steer clear of such discussions.