The Partisan Pledge of Allegiance

Democratic and Republican politicians are highly defensive creatures when it comes to the question of patriotism.  The form of patriotism bred by the politics of the two-party state is perhaps best demonstrated by the ubiquity of the flag pin on the lapels of our nation's professional politicians.  The flag pin, one assumes, is meant to display a heartfelt allegiance to country, but it also serves a subtle ideological purpose, which is to guard against any attempt to question the political allegiances of those who wear it: "How dare you question my patriotism?!  I'm wearing a flag pin!"  But does not the very superficiality and defensiveness of this gesture itself raise a red flag, so to speak, concerning the political allegiances of the individual in question?  It is likely with good reason that Republicans and Democrats are so defensive when it comes to the question of patriotism.  It is all too obvious where their allegiances lie.

The Republican's Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag,
of the Republican Party of America,
and to the corporate agenda for which it stands,
coronation under the dollar, unprincipled,
with liberty and justice forestalled.

The Democrat's Pledge of Allegiance 

I pledge allegiance to the flag,
of the Democratic Party of America,
and to the corporate agenda for which it stands,
coronation under the dollar, unprincipled,
with liberty and justice forestalled.