My Idea of Patriotism

07/04/2008

Patriotism is love and loyalty to ones country. There are many ways to express patriotism both symbolically, such as flying a flag, or the more meaningful manifestation through service.

Patriotism does not mean that you must agree with everything your country does or even everything that your country condones or legitimizes. Patriots need not blindly follow the policies of any current government. Indeed our history is filled with examples of true patriots whose greatest acts of patriotism were to oppose the legal status quo in order to “Make a more perfect Union”. Martin Luther King Jr. and Susan B. Anthony being two prime examples of this type of true patriots.

Patriotism is not mere jingoism of waving the flag and pounding the chest and daring any one to mess with the USA, but patriotism is being proud to be a citizen of the USA, even when the USA may do things you may not be proud of.

Patriots want what is best for their country, wanting it to be better, stronger and yes happier. A Patriots criticisms are constructive which are meant to improve their country not meant to belittle or demean.

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I do not believe you can call yourself a patriot and not love your country.

I do not believe you can call yourself a patriot and not be willing to defend your country.

I do not think you can call yourself a patriot and not be proud of your country

I do not believe you can call yourself a patriot and not want to improve your country.

I do not believe you can call yourself a patriot and not want what is best for your country.
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If you do not agree with my ideas about patriotism, let me explain it a bit more clearly.

Replace the word patriot with parent and the word country with child, because my idea of patriotism is that patriots feel responsible for their country, not that their country is responsible for them.


Happy Independence Day
and God Bless the USA