Allegiance declarations should support limiting governments, protecting rights.
Acts 15:10 (VOICE)
You need not swear an oath—any impulse to do so is of evil. Simply let your “yes” be “yes,” and let your “no” be “no.”
Matthew 5:37 (VOICE)
Current allegiance declarations say things they shouldn’t say, and leave unsaid things they should say.
Allegiance to Government
Pledge of Allegiance
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
Oath of Allegiance
Better:
I support the Constitution. No person shall be unduly deprived of life, liberty, or property.
USA Constitution, art. VI, cl. 3 and amend. V
These allegiance declarations are solemn. The meanings matter.
Allegiance is not to federated states but to a single united states (the Republic, it, one Nation, indivisible). War is a strong undercurrent (allegiance, the flag, surges in pledging during wars, mandated military salutes, veterans’ support, even inculcation in childhood). The pledge taps memories and gives shout-outs to liberty and justice, but the pledge principally opposes secession, under threat of war.
Secession, though, is how the United States of America formed their compact. Three secessions were attempted by people in the Northeast in 1803–1814. One was instituted by people in the South in 1861–1865. Secessions have support today. Simpler partial secessions of county regions from states or of neighborhoods from metros would help residents support the Constitution more closely, and would incentivize others to do that too. The Constitution was made by people. It can be voided by people.
War, other than self-defense if attacked, has low support. The Constitution supports peace through self-arming, economic strength, noninflationary gold or silver money, hurdles to borrowing, hurdles to treaties, legislative declaration of war, and legislative rules-of-engagement cards.
Invoking God undercuts religious freedom and the spirit of no religious test for office. Further, even usually-faithful people question God at times. Close relationships, including relationships with God, require honesty.
Words that pressure people to disfavor secession, favor war, and profess faith in God incentivize lying, and fail to strengthen principles.
Better to declare that one supports the Constitution, like every civil-government official does.
Also better to clarify that other than in constitutional criminal or civil judgments or wars, no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property. (Securing property is fundamental because earning property takes time, consuming liberty.) This bedrock rule refutes Progressives’ claim that the Constitution creates an unlimited-government democracy, not a limited-government republic.
Allegiance to Party
Missouri Republican Caucus Pledge
I … affirm that I agree to appear in only Primary and general Election debates that have been sanctioned by the Republican National Committee, pursuant to Rule 10(a)(11) of The Rules of the Republican Party. I acknowledge and accept that if I fail to sign this pledge or if I participate in any debate that has not been sanctioned by the Republican National Committee, I will not be eligible to participate in any further Republican National Committee sanctioned debates. Additionally, I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination for President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and beat Joe Biden. I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party.
Beat Biden Pledge
Better:
The Republican Party supports government people respecting others’ powers and asserting their own offsetting powers. I support this.
The Constitution Needs a Good Party, pp. 21–2.
Republican politicians vary all over the map. Current declarations promise nothing from the party, incentivize lying, and fail to strengthen principles.
Better to offer that the party’s politicians will take the actions needed to limit governments. People support this.
Allegiance shouldn’t be forced. Allegiance declarations should reinforce the Constitution.
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