allegiance

  Seeing an article regarding a policy instituted by the Trump administration regarding cooperating with immigration officials, I was left with this thought. Are we now to accept a conditional allegiance? What I'm thinking about are the words, I pledge Allegiance. To me that means loyalty, or making a commitment. Here in America everyone in political office, of any kind, takes a pledge, recognizes an allegiance, to the constitution of the United States of America. That allegiance includes upholding all the laws of the land, not just the laws they agree with. It isn't a conditional allegiance. The only thing conditional about that would be the individuals choice. They can choose to not be in office, in that capacity. That is the freedom afforded to them as Americans. 

  Now this new rule I read about ties monetary awards to helping immigration officers in the enforcement of immigration law. Twenty states and the District of Columbia have filed suit with the administration. What's the issue, the big problem? They have to enforce the immigration laws and cooperate with all government agencies in doing so. What they are saying is, it's a threat to sanctuary cities! Cities that exercise a conditional allegiance to the union! That's the way I see that. I get the whole "sovereign state" thing, same argument used when the confederates seceded from the union in 1861. Those states didn't like a law they thought might be established. Slavery was to be abolished! They would be forced to release their labor force! 

  They weren't immigrants, migrants or dreamers then, no, they were just imported good to them! Same issue today, they don't want to turn in their labor force. It wasn't cheap to get them here, those caravans are expensive! And that's not to mention all the legal battles to keep them here combined with all the "assistance" provided to them. Housing, clothing, medical care and teaching them a new language, it all adds up.  

  The argument being, the rule is illegal because Reagan didn't specify compliance with immigration laws was tied to the granting of those funds. I don't think that it needed to be said, to be explained or delineated. Compliance with the law and cooperation with every other government agency should be assumed. As I said, it isn't a conditional allegiance! Supporters of these sanctuary cities say that enforcing the law makes it less likely immigrants will cooperate with the law. If those immigrants are here illegally, they aren't interacting with the law enforcement agencies! Well, not until they are caught that is. Anyone here legally should have a vested interest in reporting anyone that isn't. Well, unless that person is a family member, a relative, or perhaps a business partner, then I'm not going to tell. I know nothing! It all depends, right. It's a conditional thing?

  We have all read that famous quote by Teddy Roosevelt regarding allegiance. It begins with these words, " There can be no divided allegiance here." Teddy is 100% correct in that statement. One nation. Indivisible. Liberty and Justice for all! All that are American citizens and pledge their allegiance to the United States of America that is! That's what he was talking about. Those that are protesting are quick to proclaim they fully understand what Teddy was saying, even the words that he never said! Hollering about him being a racist! He wasn't.  

  What he was talking about was supporting the United States of America, unconditionally. Our strength lies in unity, a common cause. We establish laws to maintain order, protect individuals, and establish societal standards. The intent being a stable and just society. Every citizen should strive for that. Every government agency should work, hand in hand, with every other agency in the pursuit of those goals. It's not some deep philosophical ideal, it's common sense. You don't need a law degree, a PhD in constitutional studies to understand that. 

 I pledge allegiance!  If you are unwilling to do that, get out! That's how I feel about that. You're welcome to join, but you do have to pledge your allegiance and abide by that pledge. Allegiance isn't a conditional thing! Don't confuse allegiance with alliance. An alliance is usually a temporary thing, a cooperation of convenience. Allegiance is a permanent thing, a lifetime commitment. 

"Permanent allegiance refers to the lifelong loyalty that individuals, known as nationals, owe to their state or country. This obligation is not simply a personal choice; it establishes a legal bond between the individual and the sovereign authority of the state. In the context of the United States, the question of whether a person owes permanent allegiance is significant, as it reflects their legal status and rights within the country." Permanent Allegiance: Understanding Its Legal Definition | US Legal Forms