Should school children recite the Pledge of Allegiance?

[kaz]

When I was a kid, we recited it every day and nobody ever thought about it, at least not that I heard. Now there's more discussion. Some saying it's pledging to our government. I never thought that, I only thought of it as recognizing what a great country we belonged to and appreciating it. I have changed a lot of views as I've evolved into a libertarian as an adult, but I guess I haven't changed my mind on this. I think recognizing what American has been and what it can be is a good thing.

Note: This poll isn't about laws, like should the pledge be required, banned or that sort of legal question. It's just regarding whether you think reciting it is a good idea or not.

 

[Fang]

When I was a kid, we recited it every day and nobody ever thought about it, at least not that I heard. Now there's more discussion. Some saying it's pledging to our government. I never thought that, I only thought of it as recognizing what a great country we belonged to and appreciating it. I have changed a lot of views as I've evolved into a libertarian as an adult, but I guess I haven't changed my mind on this. I think recognizing what American has been and what it can be is a good thing.

Note: This poll isn't about laws, like should the pledge be required, banned or that sort of legal question. It's just regarding whether you think reciting it is a good idea or not.

I recall in grade school reciting the pledge every day. At that age I assumed I was pledging to my country and patriotism, not to a politician or party. I say keep it.

 

[Edgetho]

Yes

 

[NYcarbineer]

I should think that conservatives who believe secession is legal, not to mention justifiable, would object to their children being taught that the nation is

indivisible.

 

[kaz]

I should think that conservatives who believe secession is legal, not to mention justifiable, would object to their children being taught that the nation is

indivisible.

The question is what do you think, not what words can you put in other people's mouths.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Yes, I think so.

I also believe that it is the school board's duty, in line with direction of state law, to make that decision.

 

[PoliticalChic]

When I was a kid, we recited it every day and nobody ever thought about it, at least not that I heard. Now there's more discussion. Some saying it's pledging to our government. I never thought that, I only thought of it as recognizing what a great country we belonged to and appreciating it. I have changed a lot of views as I've evolved into a libertarian as an adult, but I guess I haven't changed my mind on this. I think recognizing what American has been and what it can be is a good thing.

Note: This poll isn't about laws, like should the pledge be required, banned or that sort of legal question. It's just regarding whether you think reciting it is a good idea or not.

Absolutely.



This applies:

"Earlier American presidents, Republicans and Democrats alike, agreed on two basic goals: teach the newcomers English and make them Americans. The clear aim was to strengthen our national identity--to reinforce the unum in e pluribus unum--by assimilating the new arrivals into American civilization."
Anti-Americanization - Society and Culture - AEI

 

[Edgetho]

Yes, I think so.

I also believe that it is the school board's duty, in line with direction of state law, to make that decision.

Well, you gotta be careful when indoctrinating children with the Pledge....

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.

Some of them might actually believe it....

 

[Contumacious]

It's just regarding whether you think reciting it is a good idea or not.

Awful idea.

What’s Conservative about the Pledge of Allegiance?

From its inception, in 1892, the Pledge has been a slavish ritual of devotion to the state, wholly inappropriate for a free people. It was written by Francis Bellamy, a Christian Socialist pushed out of his post as a Baptist minister for delivering pulpit-pounding sermons on such topics as “Jesus the Socialist."

.

 

[kaz]

From its inception, in 1892, the Pledge has been a slavish ritual of devotion to the state

What a load. The players who support the sides show how ridiculous this is. Nobody I've ever known thought that the pledge was to the government. In fact if you look at the sides, people who dislike the State support saying the pledge and most of the opposition comes from people who love the State. Granted Libertarians are outliers in that, but they are 1% for a reason. Supporters are people who love the country and dislike the State. In fact liberal opponents agree with them that the pledge is about the country, not the State, which is why they hate it.

If you had a real argument, it would begin something like, "people don't realize..." That your argument is based on what no one thinks is why there's no traction to it.

 

[NYcarbineer]

I should think that conservatives who believe secession is legal, not to mention justifiable, would object to their children being taught that the nation is

indivisible.

The question is what do you think, not what words can you put in other people's mouths.

I told you what I think.

Having children say the pledge is putting words into other people's mouths.

 

[NYcarbineer]

Why not have kids pledge allegiance to the passage in the Declaration of Independence that asserts the right of the people to overthrow the government?

 

[kaz]

Why not have kids pledge allegiance to the passage in the Declaration of Independence that asserts the right of the people to overthrow the government?

Here you go.

Thomas Jefferson: The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

 

[TakeAStepBack]

It should be left up to the parents and commuinity school districts. Not the white house, not LOLberals.

 

[kaz]

It should be left up to the parents and commuinity school districts. Not the white house, not LOLberals.

Fair enough, but I did specifically say in the op that this isn't about what the law should be, it's just about whether you think it's a good idea or not.

Even though I voted I am for it, like you I would totally oppose any central mandates on the matter either way.

 

[jasonnfree]

I did the pledge through no choice of my own. Had to switch to "under god" in grade school. That took a couple days to get used to. Found out later the pledge was the idea of a socialist and that the nazis also had their youth do it. Figures. Republican politicians signed a pledge of allegiance to not raise taxes. They made this pledge to a private citizen running a think tank funded by billionaires opposed to paying taxes so I guess turning kids into robots pays off sometimes.

http://www.npr.org/2011/07/14/137800715/the-man-behind-the-gops-tax-pledge

 

[PatriotPotato]

I pledge allegiance to a flag (I'm not sure how one can have allegiance to a flag) and the nation state (regardless of whether doing so comes at the expense of humanity), one nation under a theological entity (that is implausible and there is no evidence to support its existence), with liberty and justice for all (except those who are being forced to recite this ridiculous ritualistic bullshit (i.e. everyone who went to an American public school that forces this crap onto the students)).

 

[editec]

I pledge allegiance to a flag (I'm not sure how one can have allegiance to a flag)


AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

Not all that hard to fathom.

 

[Noomi]

We don't pledge allegiance to our flag here, I don't see the point in it.

 

[Sherry]

Yes. Pledging allegiance to your country is noble, and it unites people in expressing loyalty to their homeland and countrymen.