"I pledge desire to the currency of the country that has the most value, and to the things that it can purchase, for me to s**t on, and throw away, however I please, wherever I want, and whenever I feel like it."

Hi! I'm a long-time lurker on these forums, but this thread provoked me to make my first post here.



In addition to concepts like justice, equality, and positive human traits, I propose that our national pledge should emphasize the following:


1.) Our right as citizens to control our own government

Our nation belongs to all of its citizens, according to the principle of popular sovereignty upon which our nation was founded. Our government is meant to do the greatest good for the greatest number of our nation's citizens. Our republican government is not meant to be an oligarchy, but rather to respect our democratic power. In recent decades, widespread apathy has enabled entities such as for-profit corporate lobbyists and the CIA to gain significant influence over elections and government officials. The principle of popular sovereignty seems to have been lost on our nation, to at least some extent. It needs to be reaffirmed more than ever.

2.) Our right to be safe while having our liberties respected

One of the primary duties of our government is to try to safeguard us from many wrongs including invasion, violent crime, vandalism, theft, fraud, discrimination, and environmental disasters. However, our government must never use this, or anything else, as a justification for violating the rule of law.



S&F

[several edits on 7/5/10 by skooper1895]

[edit on 7/5/10 by skooper1895]

Originally posted by silo13
Why change a good thing?

That pledge was created just so for a reason...
A good reason.

America was born a Christian Nation - like it or not.

And don't blah-blah-blah me, I don't want to listen to the BS of crackpots trying to re-write history.
And no I'm not going to debate it.
If you think I'm wrong too bad. You can keep your opinion, it's worthless dog rot to me.

More importantly:

The number of lives that have gone to grave to keep that pledge alive demands, DEMANDS the pledge remains unchanged.

The fallen, that gave their LIVES for America - by their blood alone paid the price to keep that pledge alive and intact AS IS!

To change it? Well, would just go to show what a piece of *bleep* the USA is becoming. Wishy-washy have to please everyone bunch of can't stand up for what's right bunch of p-whipped little wannabees.

Added note: You think any other country, ohhh let's say a Muslim Country would change THEIR pledge of allegiance to make all the newcomers and discomfits happy?

Ha ha ha ha ha!

LOL, nope, only in Americant

peace

[edit on 30-6-2010 by silo13]

There's one of the most disgusting posts of the week here on ATS. Chock full of incorrect facts and absurd propaganda, all delivered in a smarmy and arrogant fashion.

Now to the topic at hand. Frankly, I think a pledge of allegiance is unnecessary and the compulsory recitation of the pledge by school children is at odds with the freedom we proclaim to have. The 1950's addition of "under god" is also unnecessary and further complicates the issue of compulsory recitation by school children. I'd suggest we do away with the pledge altogether.

Originally posted by skooper1895
But on the other hand, isn't it good to remind people of how they can shape our country's future?

I don't really see how the pledge of allegiance does this. At best it serves as an inculcation of base-level American patriotism by allying one's self to a flag and a republic. The freedoms and opportunities provided by America's methods are enough to instill patriotism without the need for any particular personal pledge. I find the rituals of patriotism unnecessary and I understand I'm very likely in a very small minority with such a belief.

If you need a pledge to remind your people what a great country they live in, it generally follows that your country isn't the greatest.

It's just another form of brainwashing, really.