Throughout our lives we have stood before the flag and pledged our allegiance to the United States of America. One flag. One country.
When we begin to add other flags to that pole, we begin to divide. "A house divided cannot stand." This is why I oppose the flying of the confederate flag. It represents a divided nation not the United State. It separates us.
During elections in this country, we have historically sported buttons, placed signs, attached bumper stickers, adorned hats and t-shirt, etc for the candidate we support. Historically, at the end of the election, the signs come down and the other election memorabilia goes in the drawer or in the trash. The elected officials begin their task of governing. They disagree and work on their perceived best policies but the focus is supposed to be actual governing - working for the benefit of those they represent.
Oddly, in recent years, the signs did not come down, the hats did not come off and one name is proudly displayed in yards and on flags. It's as if their allegiance is to that name first or is somehow equal to allegiance to the United States. It's as though that name is now branded onto the United States flag. Defending that name is now equal to defense of the country no matter what that person does.
It's a disturbing dynamic.
That person has attorney's arguing that they cannot be investigated, impeded or arrested for shooting a person on fifth avenue.
I took another oath.
...I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same...
And then there is a problem. What follows is a promise to obey the orders of the president - commander in chief. What if that commander is violating the Constitution I also swore to support and defend?
For me, the answer is easy. "I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.. and "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic. I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same."
