I’ve always had a problem with those who think saying the pledge of allegiance, wearing a flag lapel pin, flying the American Flag makes them more patriotic than others. In this case making it mandatory to say the pledge of allegiance is idiotic to me. These aren’t something that a true patriot would make others do.

Patriotism is shown by one’s actions and devotion to country which all the above doesn’t qualify. At least for me, it takes more than just reciting the pledge or wearing a flag lapel pin or even flying the American flag in one’s yard. A true patriot goes about his business and does what he can for his country without the need of symbolic gestures or symbols. That may sound weird, perhaps crazy, but this is what I believe. One doesn’t wear his patriotism on one’s sleeve or lapel for that matter. It’s all in his actions.

It's high past time that we start electing Americans to congress and the presidency who put America first instead of their political party. For way too long we have been electing Republicans and Democrats who happen to be Americans instead of Americans who happen to be Republicans and Democrats.