This got my brain running even more... because it's so true.
Just in going through the Pledge in my mind, my immediate thoughts were as follows:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America"
There's so much I could say about this... some of it stemming from the very foundations of our government. (Considering ALL were supposed to have rights and a voice and yet only SOME did - keeping in mind women, African Americans, and American Indians started off with, basically, no rights at all.) But the fact remains... less than 100 years from our "victorious beginning" in 1776, we were at Civil War with each other. A war where we were so divided against each other that we lost 625,000 people (more casualties than World War I - 116,516 ; World War II - 405,399 ; the Korean War - 36,516 ; and the Vietnam War - 58,209 COMBINED).
Have we ever really recovered from the division of that war? Honestly, I don't think so... not completely. Look how long it took for civil rights for all races? Yeah. We're still only getting there. I know for me, I was able to grow up with people of other races and never think anything of it. We're all people, we're all equal, no matter the race. But the pain and the suffering inflicted upon others even in the generation preceding me (and, if I'm being honest, how it still lingers in current generations)... you can see it all over the media... the pain is still fresh. For another thing: Look at how the electoral maps are branded across the media months before a presidential election (or a bill requiring public vote) and it looks more like an "us vs. them" or "them vs. us" than a united country. Look at Facebook! I don't mind people having a different opinion than me. But Facebook has become a soundboard for everything (I'm just as guilty) when, in reality, it was supposed to just let me get in touch with friends (new and old) and let us keep up with each others' lives, if desired.
The only instances I can recall where this country has actually shown a spirit of unity has been in times of tragedy. Those are the times that people ban together... race doesn't matter, belief or disbelief in a higher power doesn't matter... the only thing that matters is doing what is necessary to help others. But as time goes on, we go back to our daily lives as if nothing happened. We ask more of "Why isn't the government doing this or that for me?" "Why isn't the policy I want passing as I think it should?" Then we begin the: "Everyone is against me..." "If only they would do this..." "If only they would do that..."
I'm not saying thinking about (and wanting to see) change is a bad thing! By no means! All I'm saying is that the individual begins to believe that their opinion is the only correct opinion... their way is the only way... compromise and finding common ground doesn't matter anymore. We are divided because the opinions and beliefs of others (who think and believe differently) are now "them". Hence, the "them vs. us". The scary part is... what if we're headed towards (even if it's far into the future) another Civil War. History has a way of repeating itself. Would you risk the lives of so many people (because with technology today, the casualties could be far greater than before) just because you can't see eye to eye on anything?
"And to the republic for which it stands"
In theory, the "republic" remains. Just to be certain I understood what "Republic" meant, I did what any responsible researcher would do, I Googled it. Haha! ;)
"Republic" is defined by Wikipedia as being: "a form of government in which the country is considered a "public matter", not the private concern or property of the rulers, and where offices of states are subsequently directly or indirectly elected or appointed rather than inherited. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of state is not a monarch."
Our president is not a monarch. He sometimes gets treated as such, especially around election time because those nominated will "fix all of our problems" (instead of us relying on the government as a whole to try and do that). We have the three branches that are supposed to be the "checks and balances" we learned about in Civics class or American Government or History during school. While we can argue about whether all matters of state are truly "public matter", we can agree that we the people elect or appoint our civic leaders (with the exception of Supreme Court Justices who are, of course, nominated by the President and subject to Senate confirmation).
While there are some who may argue this, I'm going to at the least that we are still mostly a republic... and leave it at that.
"One nation"
This kind of goes back to the "united" part for me... not much more I can say on this.
"Under God"
Yeah... so I don't know if you've heard about this or not, but whether God stays in the Pledge or not, He's been pushed out of schools and this country for years. Even when the USA still technically claimed Him, the actions of people spoke otherwise. (Another reason for a nation divided as well.)
Most Christians don't portray Him. Atheists don't believe in Him. Scientists are constantly busy trying to disprove His existence or a need for Him. Basically, putting God over our nation has been thrown out the window. Need I say more?
"Indivisible"
Really? Need I say more on the matter? Republican vs. Democrat. God (then which god?) vs. No God. Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice. For or Against Gay Marriage. Claim Israel as a nation or not? Taxes... Domestic protection and overseas intervention... healthcare... budget crisis... economic recession... the list goes on and on. To agree on anything seems to impede on the rights of others.
Which raises the question: Can we truly, not just in theory, ever really be "indivisible"?
"With Liberty"
Yeah... in theory, we have the right to lots of things so many countries aren't even allowed to dream about. But we are gradually watching so many liberties be taken away, most in fear that those liberties (such as with speech) will offend someone. I'm so baffled by this one, I'm not even sure what all to say...
"And Justice for All"
Justice. Something our this "nation" has long ago lost sight of. What kind of justice exists in a nation where a court can rule in favor of an injured burglar instead of the victim who was being robbed? What kind of justice exists in a nation where someone can sue McDonald's because their coffee was too hot (and win!)? What kind of justice gives children to a mother who only wishes to draw child support checks and couldn't care less about her children, while the father fights earnestly to just have a little more time with his kids? What kind of justice decides at one moment that an unborn child is a life and a person who committed assault against the mother (where the child dies) is convicted of murder and yet this same justice system turns around and decides that this unborn being really isn't a person yet, so if the mother wants to murder it, that's ok?!
So... looking at the Pledge again... what's left? "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the ______ States of America and to the republic for which it stands. _____ ______ _____ _____ _________ ____ _____ ____ _____ for all." Look at how much has subtly disappeared over the years. Isn't that sad?
I have friends and family who have served in the military. They fight for the freedoms we claim to hold so dear in the United States. But while they fight, and some lose their lives, we sit around and bicker and watch our nation turn to muck. I take what they do very seriously. They are quite possibly some of the only people truly trying to uphold what this country actually stands for. If not for the sake of our future generations, if not for the sake of our current ones, can we not show a little more respect to our brothers and sisters protecting this country so they know that what they've been fighting for is not in vain?
