Why does a politician need to pledge allegiance to a flag?

[Rainbow Mage]

Why? What's the big deal? Most of our politicians now pledge to it and we're no better off for it. The government is as crooked and dirty as ever. Why does it matter? They may as well pledge allegiance to the government and the two parties, that'd be honest to their jobs.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

People have a problem when their politicians don't engage in the expected meaningless platitudes and hollow social rituals. When it's all for show, you have to get the performance parts right.

 

[Revoltingest]

Why? What's the big deal? Most of our politicians now pledge to it and we're no better off for it. The government is as crooked and dirty as ever. Why does it matter? They may as well pledge allegiance to the government and the two parties, that'd be honest to their jobs.

Think how much worse it would be without the pledge. I can imagine some Chicago alderman saying, "You know,
I was going to charge you a $10,000 gratuity, but recalling my pledge to the flag, you can have that liquor license
for only $5,000....in small unmarked bills left in a brown paper bag under the dumpster out back."

 

[fallingblood]

Would it matter if they didn't? Is this really a subject that needs debate?