I Can’t Change the World, But Here Is What I Pledge[i]

By Charlie Daniels[ii]

Many times, when I do a column about the appalling state of affairs in our nation or point out issues that are irritating to me, somebody asks a perfectly fair and legitimate question.

“Okay, we all know what’s wrong. We agree with you, but what is the answer? You’re able to critique, but you don’t have solutions.”

Basically, put up or shut up. If you don’t have any idea how to fix the problems you point out, why keep doing it. You’re only preaching to the choir anyway.

I can certainly understand this school of thought, and decided to put some thought into it, and here’s what I came up with.

Realistically, as far as politics are concerned, I am limited to my one vote. In all elections except presidential, my vote is limited to those who run for office in my state. I can’t vote for the candidates I would favor or against the candidates I don’t favor in any other state, regardless of how staunchly I agree with them or how vehemently I disagree with them.

So, I will cast my one vote in my one state and pray for the best in the other 49.

I can’t make the world a better place, but I certainly can try to improve and maintain my little part of it.

I pledge to do all I can to keep my thirty employees gainfully and steadily employed as long as it’s God’s will for me to keep on doing what I’m doing.

I pledge to be a good neighbor, to support the community I live in.

I pledge to be a good citizen, to obey the laws and pay the taxes of my nation and, insofar as its possible, to defend it against all enemies foreign and domestic.

I pledge to support the law enforcement agencies of this nation, federal and local, in the belief that they place their lives between us and those who would harm us and keep the jungle at bay.

I pledge to support the United States military, active service and veterans, in the belief that we owe them an unpayable debt of gratitude for over two hundred years of freedom and liberty.

I pledge to support the lives of the unborn, in the belief that the God who created us knew them in their mother’s womb and endowed them with membership in the human race and that any action that denies that entry, except in the sincere effort to save another’s life, is nothing less than murder.

I pledge to respect the rights of all Americans, to reject racism and prejudice in all its forms.

I pledge to adhere to and defend the constitution and its amendments, in belief that it is not a living document and is meant to be interpreted as written by our founders, to be changed only by the conventions and procedures proscribed by them.

I pledge to support my family.

I pledge to accept responsibility for my own behavior, the caliber of work I do, the debts I incur, the promises I make, the protection of my family and my property, my business and personal commitments, and the well-being of all those I feel I am responsible for.

And finally:

I pledge allegiance to flag of the United States of America

And to the Republic for which it stands

One nation, under God, indivisible

With liberty and justice for all.

What do you think?

Pray for our troops, our police and the peace of Jerusalem.

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

Charlie Daniels is a legendary American singer, song writer, guitarist, and fiddler famous for his contributions to country and southern rock music. Daniels has been active as a singer since the early 1950s. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on January 24, 2008.