I have seen a number of different posts on Facebook and elsewhere in which it is alleged that schools have stopped having children say the Pledge of Allegiance. I always wonder where this is happening. I also wonder "so what?"
We have many important problems facing our nation. Top of my long list are global warming and its myriad ramifications, the war on women, voter ID laws, crumbling infrastructure (a different type of national deficit), indoctrination presented as news, government by the highest bidder, and racism in it's many forms.
Why are we being asked to worry about the pledge of allegiance? It's a bright shiny object dangled before us to divert our attention while our pockets are picked, and the issues of importance are ignored.
Millions of Americans fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and two World Wars, and lots of skirmishes and minor wars in between, without ever saying any pledge to the flag. Over half of our Presidents never recited it. It wasn't officially adopted until 1942.
While it is a nice ritual to start a school day, saying the pledge is not an infallible demonstration of loyalty, or a very effective way to teach what loyalty means. Neither is singing the national anthem before a ball game. And not saying the pledge is not proof of disloyalty.
Teaching children to recite the pledge does not automatically equip them to make the sacrifices of time, blood and treasure that patriotism may call from them when they are adults. If reciting the pledge were effective in fostering patriotism:
- 100% if Americans would demonstrate their patriotism by voting in local and national elections
- there would be no crime
- government officials at all levels would seek the best solutions to civic problems without attempting to enrich or aggrandize themselves, their families, friends, or campaign donors
- we would recognize and properly compensate those who offer their lives and energies to enrich, perpetuate, and protect our society and community resources, including teachers, librarians, emergency responders, public defenders, park rangers, and a host of others. Soldiers aren't the only heroes.
Apparently some believe it is essential to recite the pledge as a demonstration of patriotism. If so, how many of them recite the pledge daily in their home before a meal or other domestic activity? Why is it a daily ritual only for children, and not adults? Why is it expected to be done in schools, and not in homes, churches, or workplaces? Is the home no longer the primary place where we learn moral and civic values?
There are a number of other litmus tests and fake controversies that super-patriots pretend are important as a way to determine patriotism. I reject them all.
[My first posting. Hope it isn't too long.]