The New Pledge of Allegiance
From Wikipedia: “The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of allegiance to the Flag of the United States and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Rear Admiral George Balch in 1887, later revised by Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942. The official name of The Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1945. The last change in language came on Flag Day 1954 when the words “under God” were added.”
The word “liberty” is synonymous with the word “freedom.” Either way, the sentiment requires some clarification. In this great country we have freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of action within the law. We do not have freedom or liberty of illegal action. Nor would we want it. No sensible person would excuse Charlie Manson and his followers of their crimes.
Proposed: The word “liberty” should be changed to “liberty within the Law.”
The words “under God” correctly introduce the idea of a power higher than the power of man. Mankind needs the assurance that their actions will ultimately face a reckoning. However, some Americans have difficulty placing their faith in the idea of a heavenly Creator. Those individuals also need the solace and hope of something larger than ourselves. Fortunately, an alternative has been available for hundreds of years.
Proposed: The words “under God” should be augmented with the words “Natural Law.”
The New Pledge of 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 and Natural Law, indivisible, with Justice and Liberty within the Law for all.”
Why indivisible? Must secession cause war? The flag is to show whose army is in the field. My version goes something like this. “I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and to the Republic which the Constitution forms, with liberty and justice for all.” I think when using the term “liberty” it is understood that it is within the law.
The Constitution was made by slave owners over 200 years ago, it is time to move on to social, economic and environmental justice for marginalized peoples. Also, the nation state is obsolete; empower the UN.
“Indivisible” because united we stand strong with our very best opportunities to thrive and prosper.
You understand that that “liberty” means “liberty within the law,” but lots of law-breakers do not. Everytime they get caught they always complain by saying, “I thought this was a free country.” Here, in the great U.S.of A,. we have freedom of thought. freedom of speech, freedom of religious practice, and freedom to mistreat and abuse ourselves; but we do not have the an unqualified freedom of action. We may not abuse others. We must obey the official rules and regulations of whatever jurisdiction we happen to be sitting or standing within.