[Note: I’ve decided to stop trying to figure out if I’m a strict constructionist or not. Last year I tried once, then a second time; no luck. This was my third try; still no luck.]
Dr. John W. Baer wrote a concise summary, The Pledge of Allegiance: A Short History, back in 1992. As I read it on the web, I was contemplating which version would be favored by strict constructionists versus loose constructionists. I’m still not sure; however, here is how Dr. Baer said the Pledge of Allegiance has evolved since its inception.
Below, I've highlighted in bold red the changes that led to today’s version of the Pledge. In bold blue are new changes that have been suggested, but obviously not approved as yet.
• 1892 - Original version by Francis Bellamy:
I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
• October 1892 – A one-word revision:
I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
• 1924 - Revised by National Flag Conference:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
• 1954 - Revised by Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The 1954 version is the one we use today, and I’d just as soon leave it as it stands. (Does that make me a loose constructionist, or a strict constructionist regarding the Pledge? I still don’t know.) In any case, not everyone agrees with my position. Here's proof: Below are two different versions that have been proposed by two different groups...
• Group A wants three words added to today’s version:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, born and unborn.
• Group B wants to revert to the 1892 version, plus one word:
I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with equality, liberty and justice for all.
Which Pledge should “strict constructionists” want? How about “loose constructionists”? I’m not sure which one of those better describes my position—but I’m more convinced than ever that I don’t want to be pigeonholed as one or the other.
[I think I’ll stop dabbling with this political question and stick with economics from now on.]
