Pledging allegiance to a state is NOT the same as pledging allegiance to some set of elected officials, nor is it the same as pledging allegiance to endorse the political choices of a majority of the citizens of that state. It is a pledge to support the best interests of that state -- and just exactly what those might be is obviously open to interpretation.
This came to mind recently because I have just taken a job with the University of California -- and was required to formally pledge my allegiance to both the United States and to the State of California. This is a leftover from the Cold War, but it is a very serious, and non-negotiable requirement for all state employees, including employees of the University of California (some would say PARTICULARLY for employees of the University of California). The text of the oath is: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter." Does this mean I must defend Proposition 13? Would I have to walk in lock-step with my Arnold Schwarzenegger if he becomes governor? I certainly don't think so. - Gordon Silverstein ************************************************* Gordon Silverstein Assistant Professor of Political Science 730 Barrows Hall, #1950 The University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA 94720-1950 ph: 510-642-4683 fax: 510-642-9515 *************************************************
