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Some of us used to joke that it was important to watch developments in California because whatever started there, from hot tubs to holistic self-esteem, was sure to come to Colorado. Times have changed, and now it appears that Colorado, instead of learning to think for itself, now takes guidance from Texas.
After all, our governor is a Lone Star export, and the Texas legislature also drew up a new set of congressional districts to make the world safer for Republicans.
Last year I saw that Texas had passed a law requiring schoolchildren to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, not only to the U.S. flag, but also to the Texas flag. Given our legislature, I figured it was inevitable that someone would propose that our pupils pledge allegiance to the Colorado flag.
But our state had never adopted a pledge. So that we
could be ready for the moment, if it came, I asked readers
to submit suggestions for a Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag of the State of Colorado.
For some reason, many of the submissions reflected
severe attitude problems and perhaps even disrespect for
our state's culture and government, as reflected by this
Name withheld by request
submission:
I swear a solemn oath of allegiance to the Colorado
state flag and to the currently smaller government for
which it stands. One conservative State, under the
Christian triune God, with lower taxes for the high-income
victim class and fewer services for the low-income lucky
duckies....
Here's part of another Name Withheld attitude problem:
I pledge to support the environment as long as I can
drive my SUVs and ATVs without restriction, so that the
beauty of our state is only compromised by me.... I promise
to laugh at Californians and residents of Boulder, and
pretend that I know more than they do.
Most correspondents signed their submissions, as with Fred Coster of Nederland:
I pledge allegiance to the flag of Colorado. and to
the State for which it stands: bumpy parts, flat parts,
paved parts and private parts (No Trespassing), and to the
motto we all know, 'Chop it down, pave it over, fish it
out, dig it up and shoot it.... Texans go home and talk to
your own damn flag.
Many of them expressed distaste for the current regime
in the statehouse. Gloria Johnston suggested I pledge
allegiance to Governor Owens and the Republicans' arrogance
for which he stands. One Republican state and nation for
which Karl Rove and Tom DeLay strive....
Larae W. Essman of Estes Park was more succinct: I
pledge allegiance to the flag of Colorado and to the
Republicans for whom it flies. One State, under theocratic
plutocrats, divisible by redistricting for an eternity of
limited liberty and inequal justice for all.
Ed Arnold, a Boulder resident and parent of an adult
child with disabilities, was also concise: I pledge
non-allegiance to the flag of Colorado, and to the selfish
Governor and legislature for which it stands: one state
under TABOR, divisible into the haves and have-nots, that
provides neither liberty nor justice for its disabled
citizens.
Two suggestions were even shorter. Irving Bennett
proposed The eyes of Texas are upon you,
and in
apparent reference to the design of our flag and the
state's Hispanic heritage, Si (C), señor
from
Greg Kaufman of Chicago.
Instead of criticizing the state government, some people
offered positive affirmations, as with Mary Brewerton of
Denver: I pledge support to the people of Colorado to
have food, shelter and health care, even if it means higher
taxes, and to the environment on which we all depend, with
transportation and justice for all.
Bruce McNaughton of Denver wrote in a similar vein: I
pledge allegiance to the truth that Colorado people and
culture belong to the land; and mindful that we do not own
the land, but borrow it from our children, we charge our
leaders to lead by obeying a well and truly informed
public, and limit our government to matters ensuring peace,
sustainability and justice for all beings.
Another that deserves serious consideration came from
one of my favorite troublemakers, Jeanne Willoughby Englert
of Louisville: I pledge allegiance to the State of
Colorado, and to its flag, that I will tread lightly upon
its land, conserve its waters, respect the rights of all
who abide within its borders, and will, to the best of my
ability, uphold its Constitution.
Despite the Texas example, our legislature has not taken up a pledge for our state flag -- not yet anyway. But there's always the chance that they'll try something sneaky during the last three days, as with gerrymandering last year. And if they do, we're ready.
(If you want to see all the pledges I received, look on the web at link
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