This change to the American pledge of allegiance sent any opposing nation or U.S.-based faction the message that “we capitalist Americans have God on our side, so nothing you do can defeat us.” It also reminded the “pledgers” that they should view their flag—and thus their homeland— as an extension of the Judeo/Christian deity: This meant that if the U.S. or its business leaders wanted to do something (say bomb an enemy back into the Stone Age, or back a corrupt dictator who enslaves and tortures his own people, or manipulate the global economy for the sake of increased government and corporate profits), it was all part of God’s plan. History repeats itself: politics, president, Clinton, Trump, government, religion, corporations, election, voters, Democrats, Republicans, conservatives, liberals.