Pledge of Allegiance ruled unconstitutional

[scaeagles]

I'll speak up.

I have always thought the name of the pledge was a misnomer. The flag is a symbol, but the key is "and to the republic for which it stands".

Our republic is unique in the world. No other state has anything close to the freedoms provided in our Constitution, on which our republic is based. We have multitudes of cutures represented here in mass, as one of only two countries in the world that have immigration policies (the other being Austrailia).

I think it is important to recognize this. I think it is important to acknowledge that it is the rights gauranteed to us are because of the Constitution and the republic based upon it. I think it is important to acknowledge, and I make no apologies for this, that we have the best country in the world. I say this because (and I know some will come in and want to talk about homosexual marriage or drugs) we have the most free country in the world. No other country gaurantees freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to bear arms, etc, etc, etc. Because of this, anyone can be whomever they wish. They can make whatever of themselves they wish.

While it is the people that accomplish this, not the government, it is the form of government we have that allows for it.

I think it important to acknowledge and instill a sense of nationalism in everyone. I do not fear nationalism. When we start pledging allegiance to a leader, I'll worry. But to pledge allegiance to our country and the freedoms gauranteed by it reminds us all that in spite of that massive diversity represented by the populace, we are Americans and have a common goal and purpose - to maintain that freedom and diversity for all -"with liberty and justice for all".

Go ahead and say that we don't have complete freedom or liberty or justice for all. But simply saying the pledge instills the principles.

We are not perfect in trying to instill those values. Our government is not perfect. As Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst form of government - except for all the others."