Salvete. Today's the day: the Fourth of July, American Independence Day. It is an amazing sight to behold: people of all parties, all opinions, and all backgrounds come together to celebrate America.
As I look around, I realize that Independence Day really seems to be more about America than the cause of freedom. That really is what society is like today. People of all parties support America because... it's America! Don't worry about the ideals behind America or the lessons that we have learned as America; it's just... America!
Nationalism has basically taken over the public mindset. Just plain America means nothing without the cause of America: independence, republicanism (the principle, not the party), self-reliance, and faith. Supporting America because it's America is just like the Nazis supporting Germany because it's Germany or the Soviets supporting Russia because it's Russia. Nationalism is a feature of all nations, but it is a very dangerous thing. Nationalism has blinded us from problems, prevented us from solving them, and given us a false pride.
This is not to say that nationalism is a bad thing. Nationalism unites the American people, gives morale when there is none, et cetera. But we do not owe allegiance "to the flag of the United States of America" or any insignia that emphasizes America, nor do we even owe allegiance "to the Republic on which it stands." We owe allegiance to God foremost, family second, and the ideals on which our Republic stands.
I pledge allegiance
To the cause
Followed through in the United States of America
And to spread republicanism
Which stands on the principles
Of faith, justice, equality, and independence,
To every nation
Under God
So that there will be liberty and justice for all.
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