[richlevy]

Originally Posted by Cloud

first, I find it weird that they have to swear to defend the constitutions against enemies (and not the country or state itself). How do you do that? fend off bugs and humidity?

That's because our founding fathers didn't trust the state, or what the state might become. In their minds, it was possible for the state itself to become the enemy. Remember that the founding fathers of the United States were rebels (insurgents).

From Jefferson's 1st Inaugural Address

During the contest of opinion through which we have passed the animation of discussions and of exertions has sometimes worn an aspect which might impose on strangers unused to think freely and to speak and to write what they think; but this being now decided by the voice of the nation, announced according to the rules of the Constitution, all will, of course, arrange themselves under the will of the law, and unite in common efforts for the common good. All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.

Jefferson considered a situation where the majority (or state) could be an instrument of oppression.