[bvw]

Count the Founders as snobs then! They were uncommon men, and had a great distain for the common Tory and neutral.

[Cold Heat]

You are refering to a era when aristocracy was much more in control than it is now. However it can be argued that they are still pulling the levers. But to get on with it, what is your point? From what I have read you say that patriotism is phony unless it is practiced your way. I find that argument lacking. There are many people who died for your freedoms who would not view your opinions as intelligent or informed yet you think you have the answers.To downgrade the pledge on the basis of some intellectual garbage is purely a lack of judgement on your part. Is it because the word God is mentioned?

[Cold Heat]

I forgot to mention something in my last reply to you. Your take on socialism really astounds me. You appear to think that socialism=some sort of government control over thought. You are wrong about that. That principle could be a dictatorship or perhaps communism or some other but not socialism. Socialism has more to do with ownership of private property and government control of the distribution of goods and services. Some call it a transition to communism but there is no thought control element to it.