Remember back in the good old days, when you would start each day at school by standing up with one hand over your heart and reciting the words of the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of the class? Say it together now:

“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.”

Takes you back, doesn’t it?

Well, if each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia had its own version, some of the words would have to be changed. Take, for example, the state version:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Great State of (Insert state name here),
And to the commonwealth for which it stands, one state under God,
Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

And then, consider the one for D.C.:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the District of Columbia,
And to the city for which it stands, one district under God,
Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

This would take a whole lot of determination and hard work to get these new pledges passed, but I think it can be done. The biggest drawback would be to have to say two different pledges each day. And then there’s the “One nation under God” part. I know a lot of people don’t believe in God, and I can see why. If religion weren’t such a big deal, then this controversy wouldn’t have arisen. But still, you can imagine the possibilities.

One day I might come by a school in Chicago and hear the kids pledge allegiance not only to the American flag, but also, the one representing “the Great State of Illinois.” Again, I don’t expect this to happen for some time, but who knows what’ll happen tomorrow?

Anyway, Happy Fourth of July to everyone, and may God continue to bless America!