Legislate patriotism for students? How about legislators, too?

House Study Bill 587 has advanced out of subcommittee in Des Moines. This proposed legislation would require public school students to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” each day.

Further, it would require instruction on the words, meaning, and history of the national anthem, including how to “love, honor and respect” the song.

And on “patriotic occasions,” schools would have to direct students and teachers to sing all four verses of the anthem. The kids will get an extra dose of patriotism on those special days.

The bill would also require social studies instruction in grades 1-12 to include instruction on the “object and principles of the government of the United States.”

What activities of the school day will be eliminated to make time for this singing and instruction? Who in Des Moines defines what the “object and principles of the government” are?

If the Iowa Legislature is going to legislate patriotism through a bill such as this, the legislature lead by example. Legislators should be similarly required to sing the national anthem every day they meet. It wouldn’t hurt to have legislators learn the “object and principles of the government of the United States,” either.

Frank Olsen

Cedar Rapids