Sep 20, 2004 3 min read

We particularly enjoy the way the First Amendment starts out: Congress shall make no law… It then specifically bars laws that, among other things, stand in the way of any American – no matter how misguided – from protesting real or perceived wrongs of its government.

Too bad Congress still doesn’t get it.

If we could amend the First Amendment we would add that in the waning weeks of a national election campaign, Congress shall make no laws. Period.

Instead, this lackadaisical crew that just let lapse a ban on assault weapons is months behind in crafting a budget, years behind on a transportation bill, won’t even go within sniffing distance of Social Security stabilization and is all set to vote this week on two feel-good gestures. The first, an amendment to the Constitution to prevent flag burning, would elevate the status of a national symbol to one of more importance than the freedom it represents.

The second would strip the powers of another branch of government to make sure that it won’t mess with another national symbol, the Pledge of Allegiance.

The flag-burning amendment is little more than a political ploy by some members of Congress to make it appear that they are more patriotic than their opponents. It’s one of those feel-good gestures that makes supporters of such a ban point anti-American fingers at those who dare to object to such an amendment. Who is the true patriot, one who would protect strips of cotton or one who would protect the freedoms those stars and stripes defend? As distasteful and hurtful as it would be to see Old Glory set on fire, we would prefer it to having Americans stripped of the freedom to protest their government. The foundation of democracy is laid on the right of dissent, no matter how unpopular the words or gesture.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that flag burning is political speech and is protected by the First Amendment.

That isn’t what some members of Congress want to hear. They especially don’t want to hear what the Supremes might say about another controversial case to remove the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. Congress is readying to vote on a bill that says only state courts can hear cases involving the national pledge. Would this then leave the one United States with 50 different pledges?

This sounds as though Congress doesn’t like what the First Amendment says, so it plans to silence basic freedoms and then strip away the power from a branch of government that might differ.

The flag is a symbol revered by many Americans, especially veterans. Congress knows this. The cheapest way to gain voters is to appear to be on their side. But don’t be duped by this political ploy. This election shouldn’t be about who waves the largest flag or who recites the Pledge of Allegiance the loudest. It should be about who will truly defend America and her freedoms.