Americans have cheered secession in many parts of the world in recent decades. Yet, in the USA, secession remains tainted by its association with the defense of slavery in the 1860s. Americans need to get over that knee-jerk association and recognize that secession might—not necessarily, but might—be an essential first step in people's escape from an intolerable government and in the reestablishment of their liberties.
-Robert Higgs
Read on:
http://blog.independent.org/2017/06/26/one-nation-indivisible/
Point taken. Something few people will consider on the Fourth, among beers, brats, and flag waving.
A link in a comment on Higgs' page says this:
"In fact, the origins of the pledge date back to 1892. The original version was written by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister and fervent socialist. Bellamy published the Pledge in 'The Youth's Companion' in September of that year. He hoped the Pledge would promote egalitarianism and undermine the 'capitalistic greed' of the country. By reciting the words daily, it was hoped that the Pledge would unite school children in loyalty to the state and a collective society."
Seems to be working.