Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of the Pledge of Allegiance. Specifically, it discusses whether the words "under God" should continue to be a part of the Pledge of Allegiance. It explains how the Pledge of Allegiance has become a symbol of controversy rather than freedom.

From the Paper
"A Socialist Christian Baptist minister named Francis Bellamy wrote the original Pledge of Allegiance in 1892. Francis was related to Edward Bellamy, a notable Socialist author of the time, and Francis often based his sermons and writings on Edward Bellamy's works, and the Pledge is no exception. The Bellamy's believed that the country could create a socialized economy that would create equality politically, socially, and economically (Baer). This first pledge read: "'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and (to*) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' [* 'to' added in October, 1892] (Baer). Bellamy wanted the Pledge to underscore his Socialist beliefs, and so he created a Pledge that spoke of two of the most important foundations of the country, "liberty" and "justice." "

Tags:liberty, justice, under, god, freedom

Abstract
'The Pledge of Allegiance' was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy and it has became obligatory in many U.S. states to cite this text every morning in educational facilities. This paper examines some of the religious controversies surrounding the 'Pledge of Allegiance', including the use of God's name and the issue of religious freedom.

From the Paper
"In 1937 the Jehovah's Witnesses filed a complaint because they felt that their rights were being violated, specifically the First Amendment. The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts rejected the complaint based upon the fact that the court felt the state had the right to teach patriotism and that the pledge did not restrain anyone from worshiping God as determined by the First Amendment."

Tags:oath, patriotism, constitution, Supreme, Court

Abstract
This paper examines the origins of the pledge of allegiance and how the Supreme Court is considering barring it from public schools since it is considered a public act of religious beliefs. It discusses the laws that forbid teachers forcing any kind of prayer or religious ritual upon the students and argues whether the pledge of allegiance can considered religious or not. It looks at the debate over how much the state can control the education system of a county or district through review of literature and court cases.

From the Paper
"The school has setup many rules against public prayer for teachers and students to follow. For instance, school sponsored Bible reading in public schools is an illegal activity. However, the Bible may be used as an instructional document activity to meet a secular purpose (Essex). I believe the schools should setup a more defined way of teaching the pledge of allegiance. Just like the Bible, the pledge of allegiance is very important to learn. School Districts across the nation should compose a short test to meet the curriculum. The test could be a simple task that would just be about the general knowledge of the pledge of allegiance. "

Tags:religion, state, patriotism

Abstract
This paper looks at the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, discusses its significance in American society and rebuts arguments that oppose the inclusion of the word "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

From the Paper
"The Pledge of Allegiance is one of the greatest symbols of our most wonderful and blessed nation. Just the mention of it stirs to mind images of young children developing an understanding of devotion as they together face the classroom flag and chant in unison, of diverse people of all colors and walks of life finding a common goal as they recite the pledge, and of wartime veterans and the families of fallen heroes together saluting the America worth dying for. The Pledge of Allegiance is an important unifying and morale boosting element of our nation's history. However, recently it has come under attack by those who do not understand the importance of the Pledge as it is written today and the importance of it remaining intact for future generations of Americans. Some people believe that the inclusion of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is somehow unconstitutional or not politically correct. However, the inclusion of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is essential to the American spirit of the Pledge and an important part of the Pledge tradition. There are many convincing reasons why "under God" should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance."

Tags:francis, bellamy, nation, indivisible, liberty, justice, unite, republic, founding, fathers

Abstract
This paper identifies trends in influencing school children to develop "patriotism" for the United States. The Pledge of Allegiance is the principle focus, yet there is supplemental information concerning the promotion of patriotism and patriotic acts provided to support the topic. This paper examines the origins of this controversy. It focuses on the correlation between the pledge of allegiance in the Texas public school system and how the transition from the mandatory statement of the Pledge of Allegiance has translated into the expression of religious values, e.g., prayer, in the Texas schools as well.

Outline
Introduction
The Controversy of the Pledge of Allegiance
The "No Child Left Behind" Act
Texas, Patriotism and Religion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The pledge of allegiance is arguably the most overt and the most frequent manifestation of this type of induction into patriotism. Less than ten years ago, the pledge of allegiance was deemed an optional aspect of schooling, where students could decide whether they wished to participate in the pledge or not. However, following the tragedies of September 11th, the United States has seen a blanket renewal of patriotism. Such patriotism has reached the school system in the form of renewed controversy over the pledge of allegiance. One source reports in December of 2001 that: "Old-fashioned flag-waving is gaining support from parents, educators, veterans' groups and Congress." (Price: 2001) Prompted by the tragedies of September 11th, 2001, the public school system has apparently latched on to the traditional method of inducting students into patriotism by again making the morning pledge of allegiance to the flag a mandatory aspect of academics."

Tags:administration, bush, religion, terrorism

Abstract
This paper explains that the original Pledge of Allegiance, written in 1882 by a Christian Socialist Baptist minister, Francis Bellamy, stated, "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The author points out that the phrase, "under God", which was added in 1954, has raised questions of its constitutionality because it may violate the concept of separation of church and state. The paper relates that the argument for the pledge revolves around the points that God is not bad for the American people or that supporters do fully concur with the idea of the separation of church and state. Color picture and annotated bibliography included.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Origins
Under God
Constitutionality
Those in Favor
Those Against
Conclusion
Annotated Bibliography

From the Paper
"The original pledge has changed over the years. For example, in 1923 and 1924, against Bellamy's wishes, the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution changed the words 'my Flag,' to 'the Flag of the United States of America.' In 1954, the United States Congress added the words 'under God' to the Pledge because of a controversial campaign by the Knights of Columbus better known as the KKK. In June of 1954, at the height of the McCarthy hysteria, and at the urging of the Knights of Columbus, an amendment was made to add the words "under God." Then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower said of the pledge, "From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and every rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty.""

Tags:socialist, separation, church, state, decisions

Abstract
The paper explains that the primary reasons people joined the Democratic Party during the middle decades of the 19th century were economic, the welcoming of immigrants, and the Populist movement. The author points out that the idea that the Democratic Party would create a more egalitarian country in which talent and ambition and energy mattered more than family background and connection was very appealing. The paper reports that the Granger Movement, which had strong allegiances to the Democratic Party, had broad goals, seeking to improve not only the economic conditions of farmers, but also their social status and political power.

Table of Contents
Introduction
A President of the People
The Grangers as Archetypal Democrats
Conclusion

From the Paper
"It was because the Democratic Party suggested that simply because a person wasn't from a good family and well educated didn't mean that he or she wasn't just as good as anyone else that it gained in popularity. It was because it supported populist ideals that it dominated American politics during the middle decades of the 19th-century, until it began to splinter under the pressures brought about by the Civil War and Manifest Destiny. These decades saw the elections of Martin Van Buren, James K. Polk, Franklin Pierce, and James Buchanan as the Democrats won every presidential election, saving 1840 and 1848."

Tags:jackson, immigrants, egalitarian, granger, farmer

Abstract
Any assessment of the role of Buddhism as the governing ideology of Koryo is complicated by the existence of multiple classes in Korean society at the time and their conflicting religious allegiances. Therefore, while Buddhism was the state religion in the time of the Koryo, it cannot be considered the governing ideology of the state, in the same way that communism was the governing ideology of China under Chairman Mao.

Abstract
Sarah A. Binder's article on "The Dynamics of Legislative Gridlock, 1947-96" provides profound statistical and historical insight into how the dynamics of a legislative government system works in terms of the potential bipartisan establishment of alliances between elected individuals. The paper shows that Binder's central argument suggests that a sense of internal party cohesion creates less favorable conditions for passing legislation, rather than facilitates the passing of new laws. In other words, the more strongly allied different individuals within a political party are to particular party ideology and to themselves as "Democrats" or "Republicans," the less apt they are to make concessions to members of the opposing party. Rather than forming ties to the legislature as a governing body, representatives with strong party allegiances form ties to their party's governing structures instead.

From the Paper
"Perhaps the most famous example that springs to mind during the period chronicled by Binder is Senator Jesse Helm's filibusters of civil rights legislation in the senate. The senator's allegiance to segregationist ideology enabled him to use the rules and protocols of the senate to almost "kill" historic civil rights laws. Helm's allegiance to segregationist and the Dixiecrat ideology ultimately made him wish to break away from the Democratic Party. But this was not a time of great unity within the Democratic Party. Thus, to Binder's approval and to prove Binder's point, because of this lack of party unity, a Democratic president, Lyndon Johnson, enabled the civil rights legislation of the 1960's to be passed, in opposition to members of his own party. This example shows how a lack of party allegiance can indeed enable the legislature to "get things done.""

Tags:Cold, War, Civil, Rights, Watergate, Jesse, Helm

Abstract
This paper looks at Haiti and shows its strategic relationship to the United States. It gives examples of government allegiances and unemployment. It goes on to show how the United States is fully aware of torturous practices going on in Haiti. The paper concludes by saying it is important that the United States put its energy into more beneficial practices such as to implement programs that will foster democracy and economic strength.

From the Paper
"Although things may appear rosy for the Haitian entrepreneur, it is also true that the country has for decades been victimized by very high unemployment and underemployment rates. The lack of jobs was further worsened by the decline in urban assembly sector jobs from 1986-1994. Politics however appear better since 1994 when illegal military rule was replaced with the return of the legitimate government. This resulted in fewer illegal immigrants to the United States."

Tags:Violation, Military, Employment, Government, Poverty