Who did you swear allegiance to?

When I became an American citizen, I swore allegiance to the Constitution of the United States. I abjured fidelity to French mobocracy and promised to support and defend the American Constitution.

But I never swore allegiance to any particular individual. I reject the cult of personality, and I am also extremely allergic to any sort of cult. We should remember that that we are all fallible and temporary actors of a brief time frame: like a flag, we will lose our shine after long exposure to various elements.

We elect somebody expecting great achievements. But as time goes by, we realize that many of the campaign promises are unrealistic and unachievable. Our allegiance to our sworn leader falters and we begin to lose some of our original enthusiasm.

This is partly why I am not fond of any banners or signs proclaiming eternal allegiance to any individual. Loyalty is often something like a fling; a short period of elation and wild behavior, followed by regrets and remorse.

It seems that some people are keen on displaying their colors and preferences upfront. Recently, a brand new flag pole flying 3 different banners popped up in my neighborhood. At the top, the American flag, underneath the 49er’s pennant, and in 3rd position, another banner proclaiming Trumpist sympathies.

This individual is signaling, that he loves America, venerates the San Francisco football team and wants Donald Trump to remain the Commander in chief of our republic. But does this also mean that, in his mind, football ranks above government?

I have always wondered why some people support Donald Trump. Is he such a likable person? I don’t think so. But it looks that sometimes a single issue is enough to embrace a candidate.
If you are pro-life for instance, you might not like the candidate, but if he supports your belief, it is enough to throw in your lot with him. Just because you are so intensely involved with your cause, you will discard all other issues and make a pact with the devil. Damn global warming, the planet, and the environment!
It is that simple and horrifying.

It is said that our president greatly values loyalty; some observers think he might have been greatly influenced by the British monarchy’s oath of allegiance:

I, (Insert full name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs, and successors, according to law. So help me God.

I understand that mister Trump’s minions are considering putting the same oath to good use:

I, (Insert full name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Donald Trump, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

For my part, I prefer to paraphrase William Wallace  of Scotland who said:

“To Edward, I cannot be a traitor, for I owe him no allegiance; he is not my sovereign; he never received my homage; and whilst life is in this persecuted body, he shall never receive it”.

 Alain