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In a country with one of the fundamental tenants of freedom of speech, the ability to teach the history and traditions granting these rights has been stifled. The debate over teaching children the pledge of allegiance has become a matter of debate forcing and indoctrinating. The goal for political correctness and selective tolerance is the most dangerous enemy the United States faces today.

As a child the pledge of allegiance was said in school as we faced the flag and recited the words. Did it mean anything to a kid who had no clue about world events? Not really, but as an adult that pledge is burned into memory, but for most adults it has not influenced voting decisions nor has it stopped people from speaking against the country of their allegiance when that country has taken a wrong direction.

Some how, however, the pledge has become analogous to the brainwashing done in some other cultures. The difference is, in this culture a parent is allowed to teach their child political and religious points of view even if they go against the grain of what the public schools teach. If a parent is against the teaching of the pledge of allegiance, then the parent needs to take the responsibility to explain it to his or her child or find alternative schooling programs. This is the United States of America and the pledge is a pep-rally activity celebrating the solidarity and sovereignty of the United States.

Teaching it by having students say it does not mean they believe it or even understand it in their hearts. It is a means of memorization, just as reciting poems like Jabberwocky. It is words and until they are internalized they are purely words. If the guardian of a child does not like the words because of the use of "God," subservience to a higher authority, or the meaning behind pledging allegiance, then that guardian should explain how he or she internalizes it to guide the child according to the path they wish. Of course, doing so would be forcing their belief and value system on the child rather than allowing the child to be exposed to other viewpoints and make their own decision through natural maturation.

One of the strengths of this nation is the ability to express ourselves. Teaching the pledge of allegiance teaches a part of our history. Some may adopt it. Others may mouth it. Some may even say it fervently but in their heart not adhere to it. It is the freedom enjoyed in the United States. Freedom, enjoyed by millions; it came at a great cost of many lives indeed living by the pledge by making the ultimate sacrifice.

If this nation continues to strive for political correctness and tolerance of all people, which is not true tolerance but rather selective pockets of people, then this nation is at risk of losing the very thing that makes the U.S.A. different. Once lost and absorbed by all other cultures of the world and we become one global nation, we lose the checks and balances between nations that exists for only as long as we remain sovereign. This will then end the arguments of what is taught in schools to children and whether it done forcefully or not, as all we will know is what those in power dictate and nothing worthy of a pledge.

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