Pledging to the flag:
Writing for the majority, Justice Jackson argued that "[i]f there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein."
I pledge ONLY to the constitution. Not to any symbol.
Not sure pleading allegiance to a document is without peril.
In fact it sounds a little like a religion, tbh
Good point. I will revise to mean the principles.