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.

Few words ring with such beauty, project a more glorious sentiment, or foster a greater sense of pride than do those 31 words spoken every day by school children, by immigrants, and by those who take an oath of office. We are all duty bound to honor them every day with dignity and with purpose. How many of us have recited those words thousands of times with never a thought of violating them even once? How many of us who watched the impeachment hearings noted that every member of the Senate stood at attention, with their hands over their hearts, and recited those very words before the beginning of each session? Nevertheless, at the final vote 43 members of the United States Senate dishonored those words, their history, and their connection to all who preceded us since our founding just 275 years go.

Those 43 members might have said with more integrity and honesty: “I pledge allegiance to Donald Trump, and to the conduct for which he stands—lying, cheating, stealing, attempting to bribe, inciting to riot, and to outright murder; to a callous indifference toward those inflicted by the pandemic virus, to those of us who pay his $200 to $300 million bills in annual expenses to support him and his family in regal surroundings, while he demonstrates to us and to the world that he does not care at all about mutual expectations in a compact of trust.”

Trust is among the most powerful words in any language. It goes deeper into our hearts, minds, and souls than almost any other. It reveals our character, our humanity, and our linkage to our forebears and to our posterity. “Death before dishonor” is not an empty slogan. It means you would choose to die before you dishonor the trust you have with others in your compact. It underscores everything we say and do in the name of the honorable. Marching in the streets with sub-machine guns in hand, with painted faces, with fake flags and empty slogans, show us who cannot be trusted to act honorably when the chips are up or down. Who among them would stop long enough to recite the Pledge of Allegiance?

Another sure sign of those who cannot be trusted is implicit in their need for one-way loyalty oaths from those near them. Beware of those who demand such oaths, written or implied. They damned-well mean to sell you out at any time, for any reason, or for no reason at all. The world is all about them. You are just an expendable toy.

There are also linkages between leadership, trustworthiness, and ethical behaviors. I do not pretend to know precisely how or why any person can countenance or forgive unethical behaviors from any leader and still give him their unswerving loyalty. Unless you are a brainwashed lemming, with a very high suck-up quotient, or with serious mental and moral infirmities, casting a vote for dishonor and disgrace with humanity watching is not an act of allegiance to yourself, to your constituents, or to your country. It is a mockingly callous affront to all of them. Even school kids know better.