I pledge allegiance

Every morning at 7:15 AM the school bell rings. I close the door after checking every one's ID as they enter the classroom, reminding them to tuck in their shirts and turn their phones off. The familiar voice of our principal comes over the loud speaker, and we all rise to pledge our allegiance. The students stand, facing the small and pathetic representations of our state and country that are attached to the white board. Some actually look at the flag while others stare at the floor, yawn, or make a face at their friend across the room. On a good day, one or two students may be awake enough to mumble through the pledges, but it means nothing to them. It is just a part of their daily routine, a routine that began years ago on their very first day of school. Now, 13 or so years later, it's no different then brushing their teeth. When did we stop teaching the purpose of this routine? The magnitude of this action; to pledge allegiance to something is anything but routine. It's a commitment, a lifestyle.

According to dictionary.com to pledge allegiance is to solemnly promise the loyalty of a citizen to his or her government. I'll be the first to admit that I fall short of this. I complain along with everyone else about all the mistakes our government is making, certain I have the solution. It's not my fault, I didn't vote for them. When I pledge allegiance, I'm really just promising my loyalty to those in our government who I voted for, leaving me the right to complain about our leaders who I feel are unfit for the role...

My parents raised me better than this. They taught me to have respect for those in authority, even when I disagree with the choices they make. I may not have voted for you, but you were elected and I will support every decision you make because I have pledged my allegiance to this country and its government. I will do my part if you do yours, for I can not pledge my allegiance to a country who does not fight for the values it was founded upon. One Nation UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL. When you take that oath, you are pledging your allegiance to these values, promising to defend them at all costs.

One Nation under God- This is the core of our country. As Derek Webb wrote, "My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man.My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood, it's to a King and a Kingdom." We are to seek God in every decision, keeping Him the CENTER of our nation. Instead, we have taken Him out of the schools and to even speak of Him could cost you your job.

Indivisible- We spend more time trying to obtain the majority, planning for the NEXT election, rather then focus on the here and now. Instead of fighting and defending bills that represent the values we were founded upon, we waste time gossiping and complaining about the red and blue. What happened to the UNITED States of America? I often feel like the Divided States of America is a more appropriate name. Over the last several years the few times I have felt united was during a tragedy like 9/11, Hurricane Katrine and Ike, or the shooting at Virginia Tech. Shouldn't I feel that we are united every single day?

With Liberty- I teach the required speech credit students in Texas must take to graduate from high school. I teach them about the 1st Amendment and their right to freedom of speech, and yet I'm not allowed to share my faith with them. How is this liberty? How is this free? What would Patrick Henry have to say about this? Would he choose our weakened concept of liberty or would he choose death?

Justice for all- I feel so much pride in our country when I hear stories of our troops fighting for justice, or the stories of rescue missions taking place on enemy territory. We fight for the beaten, abandoned, and abused. The jobless, homeless, sick, and the old. However, we draw the line at the unborn. They have no voice, no rights, no choice. How is this just?

I DO pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, because I am a part of that republic. For I believe in a Nation that is one under God, indivisible and united, not just in name but in what we stand for, with liberty and justice for every single being. This is what I pledge to, and as long as our leaders can pledge to this as well they will continue to have my support and respect.