Funny thing; I just read a book on the history of the 'pledge' awhile back. Originally it was much shorter: "I pledge allegiance to my flag, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all". That was 1892.
In 1923 "my" was changed to "the", and "of the United States" was added. "Of America was added a year later.
Today's ultraconservatives get upset when liberals complain about the "Under God" part, without realizing that was added by congress in 1954.
Here's a site about some of it:
http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm
I agree, it sounds like a loyalty oath required by a totalitarian country.