Sunday, March 14, 2010

I Pledge Allegiance


"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

That is the pledge of allegiance that we all have taken from time to time, well at least most of us have. What does it mean? Well it is not as old as most think it is, and it was not done by the founding fathers but a socialist minister. Nobody is put in jail for not saying it in public and I have known Jehovah’s Witnesses like my childhood friend who would not even stand for the pledge. That is fine in my belief. It was an expression of is particular faith and the freedom he enjoys in this country. My own faith would encourage me to take the pledge but I respect anyone for what ever reason who does not want to take the pledge. That is freedom and liberty.

In my view it is something we should all do to reaffirm what we believe in as far as the values of this country. No the founding fathers never wrote these words, but I am sure they would approve.

Most of the current upset about the pledge has centered on the term “under God”. Those zealots who crap their pants any time the word God and the United States are even in the same paragraph have done their best to get it thrown out but recently the appellate courts have ruled that it is not unconstitutional to have it in the pledge.

Do we not believe in liberty? Do we not have an inbred awareness of justice? What is liberty anyway? I define it as the ability for a citizen to live their lives free of government interference. I believe that is what the founding fathers wanted as well. A small federal government that did just those things that the local community could not.

We have in recent past sold our liberty to a bigger and bigger federal government. Many of our citizens have sold their freedom and liberty to the government by accepting and building a lifestyle based on having the government “take care of us”. Slaves were taken care of not freemen.

I like to take the pledge, but I am afraid we do not really have a republic anymore; they do not listen to us at all. We are not one nation; we are apparently Democrats and Republicans. Most do not believe in God and we are very divisible as progressives and conservatives. Justice for all really means, “How can I get more for me and mine” not justice for all.

There are grassroots organizations sprouting up all over the country. Groups like the Tea Party and the 9-12 projects. Contrary to what the main stream press is trying to say, these are not Republican supporters but people of all political groups who want real change. I feel they want to influence both national political parties to return to the values and principles this country was founded upon. So that this country can again be the best hope for the world. Find a group locally and take part in returning the government to and by the people. November 2010 will be a good start of a new beginning.