Originally Now

Originally

WE PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE

We pledged committment. Loyalty. Time. Political involvement.  We pledged our civic duty. 

TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS

Not to our favorite cause. Not to a particular political party. Not to the group who supports the hot topic of the month.  To the nation. To the Republic. To this people. To a national cause which was a place of freedom for all.

ONE NATION

One people. Not a melting pot. Not a blend or co-habitation of many micro-cultures. Not 50 states. One nation. One culture (which is of course made up of the bringing-together of many cultures), which stands alone and stands together.

UNDER GOD

The God. Receiving His grace. In humbly acknowledgment that it is only by Him that we even exist as a nation. Seeking His guidance and His will. Giving Him thanks.

INDIVISIBLE

Welcoming different opinions but remaining united in one purpose. Standing in unity as a people before other nations, whether under attack... Or not. 

WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE

Free from oppression but also without entitlement. Given the opportunity to work and to express opinion and to encourage others to do the same.

FOR ALL.

Man.  Woman.  Child.  Boy.  Girl.  Poor.  Rich.  Extravagantly wealthy.  Tall.  Short.  Beautiful.  Famous.  Unseen.  Ugly.  Intelligent.  Mentally retarded.  Senile.  Unborn.  Healthy.  So sick as to be barely alive.  Black.  White.  Korean.  Mexican.  Islamic.  Christian.  Mormon.  Atheist.  Mentally healthy.  Mentally ill.  Educated.  Illiterate.  Experienced.  Naive.  Clean.  Dirty.  Hard-working.  Lazy.  Gay.  Straight. Uber-rich.  Ultra poor.  Liked.  Disliked.  Girl.  Boy.  Woman.  Man.  For all.  

Now

WHEN'S THE LAST TIME SOMEONE PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE?

We won't even commit to stay in a marriage to someone for a life-time, or for that matter pledge to be someone's parent without fail or pledge to stand by a job or a corporation long term, much less pledge our allegiance to a country.

TO THE FLAG?

The one we don't even fly on our porch anymore and only notice when it's at half-mast at the bank.

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS

Do we even know what that means anymore?

ONE NATION

Falling apart.

UNDER GOD

A God who's not allowed in our schools or our courtrooms or our political policies or our decisions or our daily lives.  A God who we vaguely address in a general way so as not to offend one who might not understand.  A God who we only call upon when we are under attack or caught in fear or struck by piteous sympathy for those less fortunate than us who have been struck by natural disaster but who require too much inconvenience to step outside of our cushioned middle-class comfortable lives to go help.

DIVIDED INTO SO MANY EXCLUSIVE GROUPS THAT WE DON'T EVEN KNOW OUR NEIGHBOR'S FIRST NAME ANYMORE

Or the name of our Vice President.  Or the name of our town's mayor.  Or the name of our State's House Representative.  Heck, we don't even know what a House Representative does anymore.  Or how they vote.

WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.