Should we Love the BLM and the IRS?

   As I wrote yesterday's blog, it occurred to me we would cringe at pledging allegiance to our government. We pledge allegiance to the flag, and we pledge allegiance to "the republic." We would be glad to pledge allegiance to the Constitution, and to the Declaration of Independence, and to the Founding Fathers.
   But, what about the BLM? And, heaven forbid, what about the IRS?
   Actually, I ponder whether we should feel it necessary to pledge allegiance to every facet of government. Perhaps it is fine to dislike the BLM, or the IRS. Perhaps. But, I do feel we should feel an allegiance to our government, in general. When we say the pledge, and we pledge allegiance to "the republic," are we not pledging allegiance to our government? What else is "the republic"? Perhaps, you will suggest it is merely the form of government.
  I remain of the opinion, the same, that allegiance to America isn't allegiance to America unless there is some element of allegiance to the here and now. A patriot cannot be a patriot and dislike everything about the government.
  I would that we loved our government, that we felt we could praise -- gulp -- the BLM and the IRS. I would that we could feel the same about Congress, and our president. If we do not feel we can love these things and people, that is unfortunate. Whether they need changed or we just need to change our attitudes, it is not good that we do not feel we can love them.