>>Back in 1961, folks knew the difference
>>between the country and the government.
"and to the Republic, for which it stands"
What is the Republic?
Given that a Republic is simply a form of government characterized by a system of laws, the question becomes - What is the intended function of this legal structure? Per the Declaration of Independence, it is clearly to secure these rights.
The pledge of allegiance is not a pledge of blind obedience to a fascist collective; rather it is an affirmation of the self-evident truth that the inalienable rights of the sovereign individual should be secured.
"with liberty and justice for all"
Throughout our nation's history, individuals have willingly made sacrifices in order secure the inalienable rights of their children, and others; but this is very different from participating in a self-perpetuating autocratic collective exercise; or worse, to be subjugated by a hierarchically organized collective structure that demands worship and secures obedience via deception and tyranny.
If we forget the original intent of the writers of the Declaration of Independence - To Secure These Rights - then Kennedy's speech becomes the mirror through which Alice the American becomes Alice the Fascist Collectivist.
I’m willing to give Kennedy to benefit of the doubt on this one, although the whole notion is quite fascistic.
Most of those who quote it approvingly, I refuse to give so much credit.