When is it Patriotic to stand up against your Government?

Question

is it ever?

or when you feel they aren't running the country properly?

Answer 1

Anytime you feel it is necessary. It is a simple right guaranteed by our forefathers that allows you to protest the actions of government. It may not be the politically correct thing to do at times but it is still your right and hundreds of thousands of soldiers gave their lives to defend that right.

Answer 2

The word "patriotism" has become perverted in today's' society. Patriotism actually means the support of ones community or government above ones personal needs. IE. a soldier that dies for his or her country.

Jefferson made his famous statement "Dissent is the truest form of patriotism" just coming out of a war the US had won from a tyrannical King. That definately colors what he said. Definition is nuanced by the time and place and background of the speaker.

George Bush (love or hate him) can not do the same things King George did to the colonists in the Americas. The comparison is inaccurate at best, salacious at worst.

It is never patriotic to stand up against your government based upon the true definition of the word. It is your RIGHT to stand up for things you believe in against the edicts of the government - but not patriotic.

Answer 3

It's always very patriotic to stand up against government. If you disagree with something that government is doing then it is your right to let them know. When our government was founded it was set up as a system of checks and balances so that too much power would not fall into anyones possession. Unfortunatly Washington is growing by the second. It's going to be the peoples responsibility to keep our government in check before it's too late.

Answer 4

Remember that we would still be an English colony if some brave men hadn't put their lives on the line to stand up against an oppressive government. (Had the American Revolution failed the signers of the Declaration of Independence would have been hanged as traitors to the crown). And right from the start they were characterized as Patriots.

Answer 5

The definition of a patriot is one who loves, supports, and defends their country. I consider myself a patriot, however I have no problem criticizing the American government. Dissent is a wonderful thing, and it is necessary to keep government officials in check. This is why we have a system of checks and balances. Governments are not always representative of a country. However, dissent can be handled in a negative and irresponsible way.

For example, I have no problem with people protesting the war or standing up for anything else they believe in, but when protests are staged at military funerals.. it sickens me.

So in conclusion, absolutely it can be patriotic to stand up against your government. You can love your country enough to not want to see a few bad officials ruin things that our forefathers have fought for.

Answer 6

When the government has gone down a path that is morally corrupt and you are the voice that stands out in the crowd, then you are a patriot. However, one man's patriotism is another man's treason. Often, the "winning" side has the patriots, and the "losing" side has the treasonous.

Answer 7

It is always patriotic to stand up against government for the good of the country, being patriotic isn't just supporting your gov. but supporting your country

Answer 8

When your government officials are acting in violation of the constitution or are attempting to materially change the constitution to suit their personal whim (without the express consent of the governed), it is right and patriotic to stand up against your government.

Answer 9

"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country"
Hermann Göring 1944(Nazi)


The only way to keep any government honest is to criticize, and scrutinize it.

Answer 10

When the government is no longer WE the people then all men and women should rise up and dismiss the present government and form a new one. Sad to say , our government is no longer for the people, by the people. The people have no say, only the World Banks and corporations.