A Pledge of Alliegence is not, to my mind, an endorsement of whichever adminisration is in Oval Office residence. Republicans observed the ritual through an array Democratic administrations. They didn't like it, either. The Pledge (with, or without, religious reference) is made to an ideal, to those principles that we all, pretty much, agree on. Freedom, independance, diversity, opportunity, a malable society. Ours is the most difficult of societies to maintain. We lack common ethnic history, we have no common religion or political philosophy. What was a melting pot for Europeans has become more diverse. There is no "typical" American, any more. What would he look like?
So, we don't know what America looks like but we do know what our America stands for, even during those times when "they" are in the majority. And we know that, if history is on our side, the mood of the country will swing and we'll be back in the driver's seat and we'll be giving the Democrat hell, too. So, don't feel uptight about the Pledge. No matter how you define it, it is an ideal worth supporting.

                   Mike