There’s nothing the left hates more than patriotism.

Via Current TV:

A bill in the Arizona State House would require public school students to swear an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution in order to receive their diplomas.

The bill, HB 2467, was sponsored by Republican Rep. Bob Thorpe, who told Current that the idea for the legislation came out of a campaign event and was a response to constituents who are concerned about patriotism and the Constitution. He said that the goal was to get students interested in learning about the constitutional form of government and defending the Constitution.

“The reason behind this is meant to be a positive experience, not a negative experience,” Thorpe said. […]

Thorpe disagrees with the contention that the bill is unconstitutional, citing that the First Amendment refers to Congress, not state legislatures, and that it does not silence students from speaking. He also noted that those serving in government or the military must take such an oath, as well as immigrants seeking to become U.S. citizens.

The first-time legislator said he was surprised by the media reaction to the proposal. “The idea that there’s something evil about taking this oath seems to be a pretty ineffective argument,” he said, “when you think about all the areas where people take this oath voluntarily.”