Let us all rise for the 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, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all."
I have long had a quibble with the Pledge.
I have maintained that I DON'T pledge allegiance to the symbol (the flag), but I instead happily pledge allegiance to the Republic for which the flag stands as a symbol.
I can come up with no useful or poetic way of saying that, however, that could substitute for the Pledge.
Other than that, I actually kind of like the Pledge of Allegiance.
I note, sadly, that my kids seem vaguely embarrassed when I place my hand over my heart to recite the pledge at their school events, however. Most of the adults in my community seem to look down on such behavior, too. Not all. But enough so that it's noticeable.
Pretty sad.