Can we talk?

For Flag Day

The best discussion I ever saw on the Pledge of Allegiance came from a comedian, addressed to an audience of children back in the 50's. You can look up the original, which is very moving, or read this version from my jaded memory.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  An explanation based on Red Skelton’s performance.
I  --  an individual citizen, unique, a person
PLEDGE  ---  promise all that I have and all that I am, my being, my worldly goods
ALLEGIANCE  --  an oath I cannot break, a pact, a commitment to serve and protect                       
TO THE FLAG  --  symbol, a reminder of my country, a token many have died to save
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA --  a great nation of free people, a democracy, a capitalist society, a lot of individual communities united together for the good of all
AND TO THE REPUBLIC --  where the people are boss, where the leaders are subject to the followers, not the other way around 
FOR WHICH IT STANDS  --  we don’t worship the flag, but we show it respect to demonstrate our respect for our country and the rights our country assures all people
ONE NATION  -- one set of rules, one system of justice, one government
UNDER GOD – not a prayer, just a statement that only one higher power is over our nation. Though they may perceive Him differently,  Jews, Christians and Muslims all have the same God. Even non-believers accept that there is something greater than man.
INDIVISIBLE – not even a civil war could tear it apart!
WITH LIBERTY – freedom to do as one chooses without infringing on the rights of others
AND JUSTICE – due process of law, fair play, opportunity, safety
FOR ALL –for every man, woman and child from every race, from every walk of life.
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Our flag was adopted on June 14, 1777. Woodrow Wilson made the day officially known as "Flag Day", although it is not a federal holiday. All citizens are encouraged to display a flag, or flags, of any size, for at least part of the week leading up to flag day.