A Pledge to America - The Fall 2010 GOP Agenda - GOP.gov
With this document, we pledge to dedicate ourselves to the task of reconnecting our highest aspirations to the permanent truths of our founding by keeping faith with the values our nation was founded on, the principles we stand for, and the priorities of our people. This is our Pledge to America.
We pledge to honor the Constitution as constructed by its framers and honor the original intent of those precepts that have been consistently ignored – particularly the Tenth Amendment, which grants that all powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
We pledge to advance policies that promote greater liberty, wider opportunity, a robust defense, and national economic prosperity.
We pledge to honor families, traditional marriage, life, and the private and faith-based organizations that form the core of our American values.
We pledge to make government more transparent in its actions, careful in its stewardship, and honest in its dealings.
We pledge to uphold the purpose and promise of a better America, knowing that to whom much is given, much is expected and that the blessings of our liberty buoy the hopes of mankind.
We make this pledge bearing true faith and allegiance to the people we represent, and we invite fellow citizens and patriots to join us in forming a new governing agenda for America.
GOP's Pledge to America
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Accountable
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Accountable
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GOP's Pledge to America
Accountable;1334673 wrote: We pledge to advance policies that promote greater liberty, wider opportunity, a robust defense, and national economic prosperity.And they'll do this without killing foreigners, will they? Fine by me if they do, but they've a lousy track record.
It's a shameful they've forgotten Jefferson's promise of "absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the majority, the vital principle of republics, from which is no appeal but to force, the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism" whenever there's a Democrat administration, too.
It's a shameful they've forgotten Jefferson's promise of "absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the majority, the vital principle of republics, from which is no appeal but to force, the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism" whenever there's a Democrat administration, too.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
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Accountable
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GOP's Pledge to America
Republican Contract with America
On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government:
* FIRST, require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;
* SECOND, select a major, independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud or abuse;
* THIRD, cut the number of House committees, and cut committee staff by one-third;
* FOURTH, limit the terms of all committee chairs;
* FIFTH, ban the casting of proxy votes in committee;
* SIXTH, require committee meetings to be open to the public;
* SEVENTH, require a three-fifths majority vote to pass a tax increase;
* EIGHTH, guarantee an honest accounting of our Federal Budget by implementing zero base-line budgeting.
Thereafter, within the first 100 days of the 104th Congress, we shall bring to the House Floor the following bills, each to be given full and open debate, each to be given a clear and fair vote and each to be immediately available this day for public inspection and scrutiny.
1. THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: A balanced budget/tax limitation amendment and a legislative line-item veto to restore fiscal responsibility to an out- of-control Congress, requiring them to live under the same budget constraints as families and businesses. (Bill Text) (Description)
2. THE TAKING BACK OUR STREETS ACT: An anti-crime package including stronger truth-in- sentencing, "good faith" exclusionary rule exemptions, effective death penalty provisions, and cuts in social spending from this summer's "crime" bill to fund prison construction and additional law enforcement to keep people secure in their neighborhoods and kids safe in their schools. (Bill Text) (Description)
3. THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: Discourage illegitimacy and teen pregnancy by prohibiting welfare to minor mothers and denying increased AFDC for additional children while on welfare, cut spending for welfare programs, and enact a tough two-years-and-out provision with work requirements to promote individual responsibility. (Bill Text) (Description)
4. THE FAMILY REINFORCEMENT ACT: Child support enforcement, tax incentives for adoption, strengthening rights of parents in their children's education, stronger child pornography laws, and an elderly dependent care tax credit to reinforce the central role of families in American society. (Bill Text) (Description)
5. THE AMERICAN DREAM RESTORATION ACT: A S500 per child tax credit, begin repeal of the marriage tax penalty, and creation of American Dream Savings Accounts to provide middle class tax relief. (Bill Text) (Description)
6. THE NATIONAL SECURITY RESTORATION ACT: No U.S. troops under U.N. command and restoration of the essential parts of our national security funding to strengthen our national defense and maintain our credibility around the world. (Bill Text) (Description)
7. THE SENIOR CITIZENS FAIRNESS ACT: Raise the Social Security earnings limit which currently forces seniors out of the work force, repeal the 1993 tax hikes on Social Security benefits and provide tax incentives for private long-term care insurance to let Older Americans keep more of what they have earned over the years. (Bill Text) (Description)
8. THE JOB CREATION AND WAGE ENHANCEMENT ACT: Small business incentives, capital gains cut and indexation, neutral cost recovery, risk assessment/cost-benefit analysis, strengthening the Regulatory Flexibility Act and unfunded mandate reform to create jobs and raise worker wages. (Bill Text) (Description)
9. THE COMMON SENSE LEGAL REFORM ACT: "Loser pays" laws, reasonable limits on punitive damages and reform of product liability laws to stem the endless tide of litigation. (Bill Text) (Description)
10. THE CITIZEN LEGISLATURE ACT: A first-ever vote on term limits to replace career politicians with citizen legislators. (Description)
Further, we will instruct the House Budget Committee to report to the floor and we will work to enact additional budget savings, beyond the budget cuts specifically included in the legislation described above, to ensure that the Federal budget deficit will be less than it would have been without the enactment of these bills.
Respecting the judgment of our fellow citizens as we seek their mandate for reform, we hereby pledge our names to this Contract with America.
On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government:
* FIRST, require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;
* SECOND, select a major, independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud or abuse;
* THIRD, cut the number of House committees, and cut committee staff by one-third;
* FOURTH, limit the terms of all committee chairs;
* FIFTH, ban the casting of proxy votes in committee;
* SIXTH, require committee meetings to be open to the public;
* SEVENTH, require a three-fifths majority vote to pass a tax increase;
* EIGHTH, guarantee an honest accounting of our Federal Budget by implementing zero base-line budgeting.
Thereafter, within the first 100 days of the 104th Congress, we shall bring to the House Floor the following bills, each to be given full and open debate, each to be given a clear and fair vote and each to be immediately available this day for public inspection and scrutiny.
1. THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: A balanced budget/tax limitation amendment and a legislative line-item veto to restore fiscal responsibility to an out- of-control Congress, requiring them to live under the same budget constraints as families and businesses. (Bill Text) (Description)
2. THE TAKING BACK OUR STREETS ACT: An anti-crime package including stronger truth-in- sentencing, "good faith" exclusionary rule exemptions, effective death penalty provisions, and cuts in social spending from this summer's "crime" bill to fund prison construction and additional law enforcement to keep people secure in their neighborhoods and kids safe in their schools. (Bill Text) (Description)
3. THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT: Discourage illegitimacy and teen pregnancy by prohibiting welfare to minor mothers and denying increased AFDC for additional children while on welfare, cut spending for welfare programs, and enact a tough two-years-and-out provision with work requirements to promote individual responsibility. (Bill Text) (Description)
4. THE FAMILY REINFORCEMENT ACT: Child support enforcement, tax incentives for adoption, strengthening rights of parents in their children's education, stronger child pornography laws, and an elderly dependent care tax credit to reinforce the central role of families in American society. (Bill Text) (Description)
5. THE AMERICAN DREAM RESTORATION ACT: A S500 per child tax credit, begin repeal of the marriage tax penalty, and creation of American Dream Savings Accounts to provide middle class tax relief. (Bill Text) (Description)
6. THE NATIONAL SECURITY RESTORATION ACT: No U.S. troops under U.N. command and restoration of the essential parts of our national security funding to strengthen our national defense and maintain our credibility around the world. (Bill Text) (Description)
7. THE SENIOR CITIZENS FAIRNESS ACT: Raise the Social Security earnings limit which currently forces seniors out of the work force, repeal the 1993 tax hikes on Social Security benefits and provide tax incentives for private long-term care insurance to let Older Americans keep more of what they have earned over the years. (Bill Text) (Description)
8. THE JOB CREATION AND WAGE ENHANCEMENT ACT: Small business incentives, capital gains cut and indexation, neutral cost recovery, risk assessment/cost-benefit analysis, strengthening the Regulatory Flexibility Act and unfunded mandate reform to create jobs and raise worker wages. (Bill Text) (Description)
9. THE COMMON SENSE LEGAL REFORM ACT: "Loser pays" laws, reasonable limits on punitive damages and reform of product liability laws to stem the endless tide of litigation. (Bill Text) (Description)
10. THE CITIZEN LEGISLATURE ACT: A first-ever vote on term limits to replace career politicians with citizen legislators. (Description)
Further, we will instruct the House Budget Committee to report to the floor and we will work to enact additional budget savings, beyond the budget cuts specifically included in the legislation described above, to ensure that the Federal budget deficit will be less than it would have been without the enactment of these bills.
Respecting the judgment of our fellow citizens as we seek their mandate for reform, we hereby pledge our names to this Contract with America.
GOP's Pledge to America
I'm distressed nothing there promises to stop American taxes and donations being sent out of the country for charitable purposes. The world's in dire need of a break from such manipulation.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
GOP's Pledge to America
They are not going to cut off those kickbacks from states like Israel, be they Repugnicans or Dumbocrats Spot.
Great joke AC but we both know we'll see nothing change.
Great joke AC but we both know we'll see nothing change.
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Accountable
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GOP's Pledge to America
Scrat;1334698 wrote: Great joke AC but we both know we'll see nothing change.
That's really the point, isn't it? The contract was a bunch of promises made and not kept. This pledge is a bunch of promises. Will they keep it? Well, Mr Boehner seemed pretty proud to say that they haven't changed.
Why is the majority of America repeatedly and continuously fooled by what these Republicrats say, and blind to what they do? BOTH parties are for bigger government, higher tax revenue, greater control over citizens' lives, federal assistance to the largest and richest corporations & other organizations, and a worldwide military footprint. Now there's a pledge democrats and republicans alike can make and keep.
We've allowed political parties too much power for too long. We won't even consider a candidate for office unless he has the endorsement of a party, yet it doesn't occur to us that party endorsement requires party allegiance. Thus, we only elect politicians whose loyalty to the Constitution and The People is questionable, at best.
George Washington:
The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish Government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established Government.
17 All obstructions to the execution of the Laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests.
18 However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion.
...
25 There is an opinion, that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the Government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of Liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in Governments of a Monarchical cast, Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And, there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume. George Washington's Farewell Address
That's really the point, isn't it? The contract was a bunch of promises made and not kept. This pledge is a bunch of promises. Will they keep it? Well, Mr Boehner seemed pretty proud to say that they haven't changed.
Why is the majority of America repeatedly and continuously fooled by what these Republicrats say, and blind to what they do? BOTH parties are for bigger government, higher tax revenue, greater control over citizens' lives, federal assistance to the largest and richest corporations & other organizations, and a worldwide military footprint. Now there's a pledge democrats and republicans alike can make and keep.
We've allowed political parties too much power for too long. We won't even consider a candidate for office unless he has the endorsement of a party, yet it doesn't occur to us that party endorsement requires party allegiance. Thus, we only elect politicians whose loyalty to the Constitution and The People is questionable, at best.
George Washington:
The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish Government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established Government.
17 All obstructions to the execution of the Laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests.
18 However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion.
...
25 There is an opinion, that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the Government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of Liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in Governments of a Monarchical cast, Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And, there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume. George Washington's Farewell Address
GOP's Pledge to America
Accountable;1334710 wrote: Why is the majority of America repeatedly and continuously fooled by what these Republicrats say, and blind to what they do? BOTH parties are for bigger government, higher tax revenue, greater control over citizens' lives, federal assistance to the largest and richest corporations & other organizations, and a worldwide military footprint. Now there's a pledge democrats and republicans alike can make and keep.
We've allowed political parties too much power for too long. We won't even consider a candidate for office unless he has the endorsement of a party, yet it doesn't occur to us that party endorsement requires party allegiance. Thus, we only elect politicians whose loyalty to the Constitution and The People is questionable, at best.There's not a word of those two paragraphs with which I'd disagree, they seem to sum up the current position admirably.
What the US needs at the moment more than anything, if it's to have a recovery, is consumers. The poor and the middle income sector consume, the rich accumulate and take their money abroad to spend. If nothing primes the pump of a sense of excess income in the consumer half of the economy then the spending won't happen, business will fail and economic collapse will gain momentum. Shifting resources from the antisocial rich into the pockets of potential spenders is the way back to economic well-being.
Over the past sixty years that pump has primarily consisted of handing cash to workers for producing armaments and making them go bang on command. There are more socially acceptable sectors capable of absorbing that pseudo-income. I suggest you start with welfare beneficiaries.
We've allowed political parties too much power for too long. We won't even consider a candidate for office unless he has the endorsement of a party, yet it doesn't occur to us that party endorsement requires party allegiance. Thus, we only elect politicians whose loyalty to the Constitution and The People is questionable, at best.There's not a word of those two paragraphs with which I'd disagree, they seem to sum up the current position admirably.
What the US needs at the moment more than anything, if it's to have a recovery, is consumers. The poor and the middle income sector consume, the rich accumulate and take their money abroad to spend. If nothing primes the pump of a sense of excess income in the consumer half of the economy then the spending won't happen, business will fail and economic collapse will gain momentum. Shifting resources from the antisocial rich into the pockets of potential spenders is the way back to economic well-being.
Over the past sixty years that pump has primarily consisted of handing cash to workers for producing armaments and making them go bang on command. There are more socially acceptable sectors capable of absorbing that pseudo-income. I suggest you start with welfare beneficiaries.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
GOP's Pledge to America
This article tends to support my assertions in that last post:Where does the demand come from if consumers, who are 70 percent of the economy, are dead in the water; if businesses won't invest because there are not consumers for their business? Big businesses are sitting on $1.8 trillion in cash. What are they using it for? To buy other businesses, to buy back their shares of stock, to automate, to go offshore, to expand their opportunities abroad.
[...] The Census Bureau reported on Sept. 16 that the number of Americans living in poverty hit a 51-year high in 2009, and income disparity has only grown more severe in economic hard times. It's led Robert Reich to conclude the time is now for tough medicine to narrow this gulf. A labor secretary in the Clinton administration, Reich is a liberal economist at University of California-Berkeley and a prolific economic writer. In a new book, "Aftershock: The Next Economy and America's Future," he argues that income inequality has left America's middle class too unstable financially to fuel demand for goods and services as in the past.
Absent aggressive government policies, he said, the average worker will continue to see wages stay flat or decline and the entire economy will suffer and the small number of rich don't spend enough to make up for the lost income in the middle.
Robert Reich: Income gap leading to 'dead' economy | McClatchy
The non-interventionist hands-off low-tax past you're hankering after, Acc, took place against a backdrop of unlimited expansion across continental America. Maybe you should aim north and send the wagons toward the Arctic if you want to get back to a pristine backwoods low-tax government.
[...] The Census Bureau reported on Sept. 16 that the number of Americans living in poverty hit a 51-year high in 2009, and income disparity has only grown more severe in economic hard times. It's led Robert Reich to conclude the time is now for tough medicine to narrow this gulf. A labor secretary in the Clinton administration, Reich is a liberal economist at University of California-Berkeley and a prolific economic writer. In a new book, "Aftershock: The Next Economy and America's Future," he argues that income inequality has left America's middle class too unstable financially to fuel demand for goods and services as in the past.
Absent aggressive government policies, he said, the average worker will continue to see wages stay flat or decline and the entire economy will suffer and the small number of rich don't spend enough to make up for the lost income in the middle.
Robert Reich: Income gap leading to 'dead' economy | McClatchy
The non-interventionist hands-off low-tax past you're hankering after, Acc, took place against a backdrop of unlimited expansion across continental America. Maybe you should aim north and send the wagons toward the Arctic if you want to get back to a pristine backwoods low-tax government.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
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Accountable
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GOP's Pledge to America
Here ya go, fellow Americans - the 45-page booklet outlining the GOP plans to save America. Never mind that it's GOP and Dem plans that we're trying to save America from. :yh_wink
and yes, that is the way they spelled America.
http://pledge.gop.gov/resources/library ... merica.pdf
Table of Contents:
13.....A PLAN TO CREATE JOBS, END ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY, AND MAKE AMERCA [sic] MORE COMPETITIVE
19.....A PLAN TO STOP OUT-*OF-*CONTROL SPENDING AND REDUCE THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT
25.....A PLAN TO REPEAL AND REPLACE THE GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE
31.....A PLAN TO REFORM CONGRESS AND RESTORE TRUST
37.....A PLAN TO KEEP OUR NATION SECURE AT HOME & ABROAD
41.....CHECKS AND BALANCES
and yes, that is the way they spelled America.
http://pledge.gop.gov/resources/library ... merica.pdf
Table of Contents:
13.....A PLAN TO CREATE JOBS, END ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY, AND MAKE AMERCA [sic] MORE COMPETITIVE
19.....A PLAN TO STOP OUT-*OF-*CONTROL SPENDING AND REDUCE THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT
25.....A PLAN TO REPEAL AND REPLACE THE GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE
31.....A PLAN TO REFORM CONGRESS AND RESTORE TRUST
37.....A PLAN TO KEEP OUR NATION SECURE AT HOME & ABROAD
41.....CHECKS AND BALANCES
GOP's Pledge to America
Well AC I don't know specifically why the average American falls for this crap but I think it falls along the lines of people in general are just too busy trying to survive and live their lives in general. Or just plain don't give a damn.
I watched the video of John Stewart you put up and I have to ask who has the means let alone the time to march on Washington? Who has the time in the Seattle area to go downtown to Westlake Mall Sept 30 at 9:30 am for our local version of the rally? I'm going just to see if anyone even shows up and do a few things while I'm there. I'll have to take the bus, parking is not only expensive but it's an incredible hassle on top of the price.
What I really fear is this country is so screwed up we won't be able to compete in this world.
I watched the video of John Stewart you put up and I have to ask who has the means let alone the time to march on Washington? Who has the time in the Seattle area to go downtown to Westlake Mall Sept 30 at 9:30 am for our local version of the rally? I'm going just to see if anyone even shows up and do a few things while I'm there. I'll have to take the bus, parking is not only expensive but it's an incredible hassle on top of the price.
What I really fear is this country is so screwed up we won't be able to compete in this world.
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Accountable
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GOP's Pledge to America
I'm less concerned with competition than with liberty, tbh. We've lost focus of what's important. As far as I know, the Founding Fathers didn't mention anything about wanting the USA to be the most militarily and economically dominant country in the world, only that they wanted liberty for its citizens.