The Death of Patriotism?

Question

In 2006 America, most patriotic Americans are waving flags, setting off fireworks, throwing a family barbecue, and generally enjoying the freedoms that are the birthright of Americans everywhere.



Founding Father Thomas Jefferson warned future generations that, "the tree of liberty must watered with the blood of patriots and tyrants, from time to time."

American freedom was purchased with the blood of patriots.

And, from time to time, despots and tyrants have threatened American freedom. American patriots stood in the breach, defending that freedom with their own blood.

Patriotism means love and devotion to one's own homeland. It is derived from the Latin patria, meaning, "the land of one's fathers."

But in 2006, being a 'patriot' is like having 'family values'. It is a word that can mean whatever one wants it to. Politicians eager to score points against the administration find no conflict in calling the US government corrupt and dishonest.

Answer 1

So what is your point. Best advice any one ever gave me was. If you want the world to be a better place take a look in the mirror and make some changes in YOU!

Answer 2

It seems that in the United States there are some citizens that think they should try to humble their country, usually because of some desire to appease the international "community". These people tend to subscribe to the idea that America is an imperialist bully that needs to submit to the United Nations or some other defective multi-national organisation. They forget that at one time, the United States was a fledgling entity struggling for recognition and respect from more powerful nations. The United States did not become as successful a nation as it is today by espousing self-loathing and shame. Patriotism is usually a virtue, but can be wrong when it causes people to believe they are allowed to oppress others.

Answer 3

The founding fathers, in their wisdom left us a system where change can be made if felt needed. It is the right and DUTY of each citizen to work within this system.
I feel that many people in our society have concentrated on asserting their rights, such as freedom of speech, religion and all of the others in the Constitution, while the duties that correspond with having these rights seem to have been forgotten.
A democracy that does not encourage the respect for duties that correspond with rights may foster corruption on all levels as this imbalance may lead to decadence.

I would propose that we all consider how respectful we are of:

Human rights and individuals dignity

the race,gender, social status, religion or any other distinguishing characteristic of others

the political beliefs of others

nature and animals

There are a whole lot more things that should be considered the basic duties of one who enjoys the freedoms that come with democracy but I feel the foundation of this is respect for others, including all of humanity, as no matter how great a nation we are we are still need to co-exist with the others on this planet.

Answer 4

How come you can't be 'patriotic' without questioning the leaders of this country? Without the ability to criticize our government then nothing would ever change, freedom of speach is a right given to every American for a reason, so if I want to call George Bush an idiot, I could, because as a "Patriotic American" one who has love and devotion to my homeland, I believe he's taken the country in the wrong direction.

Answer 5

A very good question indeed. The question in what is the better part of patriotism ? Do you let the basic premises of the constitution be eroded and follow blindly your leader ? Do you think our founding fathers would have tolerated warrentless wire taps under the guise of a war on terror ? As a matter of fact they vehemently opposed such tyranny. If you think there wasn't conflict in Jefferson's day your grossly misled. The reunifying of the Confederacy to the union was one of the greatest accomplishments in our history. A patriot must protect the democracy contained within the constitution without it there is no democracy to be loyal to. What I find interesting about modern day "patriots" is they see nothing wrong with labeling men like John Murtha a traitor for exercising his freedom. If you think our forefathers didn't fight and call names your wrong as a matter of fact they once had a duel. They call liberals fascists and John Kerry a traitor while smiling their patriot smile. They accuse the New York times publicly of traitors behavior but do nothing yet point a finger. Do not kid yourself this Administration has played the same card just as effectively. I'm not a patriot to a party, or a religion, or a man but to the premises that this country was founded on before the war on terror and after it. Tell me this if Congress has a machine to scan for chemical explosives why haven't we put those in airports ? Why are wasting billions of dollars in a country we can't "win" ? There are no weapons Osama Bin Laden is no where ? Or oil future is not secure as long as the middle east is unstable ? Why are we considering port deals with UAE in light of there desire to destroy us ? Are UAE Muslims different then Iraq or Iran Muslims ? There are no weapons of mass destruction, Iran, Syria, North Korea and Pakistan now posturing nuclear threat ? It's the age old argument Germany under Hitler had patriots, Russia under Stalin, Cuba under Castro and Iraq under Sadamm had patriots. They had corrupt governments but patriots followed them it's not enough to follow on must engage his mind and sense of conscience. A true patriot must ask questions or he's nothing but a ostrich.

Answer 6

It depends on where you are.

I lived in California and went through Vietnam and Kuwait there and saw nothing different or unusual.

I'm in upstate NY now and ALMOST EVERY CAR has a Yellow Ribbon decale on it!

Does that say something?!

People here MAY NOT SUPPORT BUSH OR THE WAR, but they support the men and women out there who die and get wounded.

NO ONE expressed this in California while I was there for 40 years!

Bush may not be a Patriot, but the boys and girls he sends off to die or come back with no arms or legs ARE.

How can we have family values with NO FAULT DIVORCE in a country that is 97% Judeo-Christian when the BIBLE SAYS EXCEPT FOR ADULTERY THERE CAN BE NO DIVORCE in both OLD and NEW TESTIMENT.

How can we have family valus in a world that claims to be 80% Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddist, Jewish and ALL of these RELIGIONS are OPPOSED TO SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE when the AVERAGE MAN has 12 sex partners and the average woman almost 10 sex partners!

Obviously these "relgious" people must be Pagans and Satanists pretending to be other things!

They have a weird sense of Religion and Religious values!

Answer 7

You have a statement, not a question.
A comment...
Patriotism in it's best form is an emotion that is an element of strong nation. Love of country implies understanding the gift, the privelige of what you and your loved ones enjoy.
Two generations ago, it was a shared sentiment that gave a sense of security and shared comraderie. It has fallen to depths today, fueled by self-centeredness and desensitivity to valuing what should be cherished.
That has been caused by politicians, college professors, news commentators and the common man, who does not make a priority of thinking of himself as a U.S. citizen.. It can also be the key to the fall of any great nation.

Thanks

Answer 8

Sounds about right. These days it seems more important that somebody has the right to be heard as opposed to doing the right thing.