Flags in church

Since I was a boy, I have wondered of the placing of flags on the altar space. The flags of the USA and the Vatican are proudly displayed in every catholic church I have attended[in the us].Why is the question?The obvious answer is that catholics were always viewed as second citizens,with their primary allegiance to the Holy See. So they felt the need to out patriot the wasps and whomever else,and started putting the flag on the altar. My objection is that it is a secular sign, and has no place there[neither does the flag of the Vatican]and is in itself a form of idolatry.In Truth, Christians have no allegiance to ANY EARTHLY POWER. That is not to condone lawlessness,for we do have a law to follow. Jesus Himself is the law,His Ethics are OUR ethics,and we need no other law to abide. After the horror of the attacks downtown 8 years ago, the churches were filled for one week, a cop made a fortune singing the Star Spangled Banner at functions[and hideously, at church] then most folks not directly affected turned their hopes and expectations to POLITICS, and well, the rest is history.And noise. And tears. I think we need to reclaim our voice as Catholics/Christians by affirming our adherence to the Gospel,not the so called patriot act. THAT is something to sing about