As 2016 is coming to a close and the extraordinary election is over, America will have to face new obstacles and moral issues — problems such as the obligation to standing up to do the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem, voting for candidates that seemed untrustworthy, and how our lives will be impacted in the next four years. One of the main questions this great nation is tackling is currently: should flag burning be illegal in the act of protest? Flag desecration was first brought up in the case of Texas vs. Johnson in which Gregory Lee Johnson, a member of the Revolutionary Communist Party, was arrested in the 1984 Rebublican National Convention for burning the American flag. Johnson was charged for violating the Texas law that prohibits vandalizing respected objects. He was convicted to one year in prison and fined $2000. He appealed his case multiple times until it finally reached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled a 5-4 decision, claiming that there was no act of violence Johnson had committed. Since then, flag burning is now known as symbolic speech. However, this "expression" is not acceptable and bound to have more severe consequences. Flag burning should be considered a crime due to the fact that the very action disrespects the meaning of the flag and is a great dishonor to our military troops.

First, it clearly disrespects the meaning of the flag. The United States flag represents freedom, independence, innocence, justice and humanity. According to Ruth Apperson Rous, writer of "I Am The Flag," "My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters. My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all. My blue is a blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith... I embody American freedom; freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the past, and the sanctity of the home." In other words, the flag is a real presentation of what we have that other countries aren't as lucky to have.

In addition, the flag symbolizes who we are. Apperson Rous adds, "Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright your heritage of liberty purchased with broad and sorrow. I am your little title deed of freedom which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity. If you fail to keep the sacred trust, if I am nullified and destroyed, you her children will become slaves to the dictators and despots." This means that since the flag is supposed to represent who we are as Americans, if it were to be dishonored, we will suddenly find ourselves governed by a tyrannical sovereignty. Coincidentally, this poem was published somewhere between 1910 and 1979, just prior to the incident that occurred in 1984. Therefore, if there were to be another incident, we will eventually be living in a tyrannical government.

Furthermore, flag-burning disrespects our military troops. Whether they are currently at war, training to be at war, or are veterans, military troops such as the Army, Navy, Marines, and the Air Force are fighting so that our principles are taken seriously. Either in the sky, on the ground, or in the waters, we are ever grateful for their dedication to our many freedoms. According to the U.S. military, author of "What Does The American Flag Mean To You?," "The American flag represents what I spent four years of my life doing, which is protecting the flag and our way of life. It means home to me — so protecting their flags means protecting my home." Freedom that has been fought so hard for over the decades. Freedom that has cost this country and the families within so much and yet it still a beacon to those wishing they had the freedom that our country has." To elaborate, too many have fought and died for this country and what the flag represents. To not fly it freely would be a disgrace to all those who have fought to protect our country throughout the years.

All in all, if flag burning were to be seen as a crime in America, I suggest a minimum of one year in prison to a maximum of five years. However, this issue is still morally controversial. Our national bird is the bald eagle; it is a federal crime to own one, to kill one, or even to own their feathers. If even bald eagles who have been turned into taxidermy must be registered and licensed to the appropriate people, why is it legal for the citizens of our great nation to unapologetically burn the flag that represents our nation? The flag is not a living being, but rather, it represents an ideology dear to the hearts of living beings in the United States.