What is Patriotism?

Question

The dictionary defines patriotism as the love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it. Too often, we use ideas and words like this to justify our actions and ease our consciences. How much sacrifice do you see by the average person who claims to be patriotic?

Many of my friends claim to love this country, but when it comes to raising taxes to help the needy or sacrificing time to help our nation, they turn their backs. Being patriotic is more than putting a ribbon on your chest, a bumper sticker on your car or supporting a president. It is sacrificing something for people who are less fortunate. It is caring for someone in this world besides the people you know.

What is more patriotic than caring about the lives of every single person who lives here and wanting to use our power to help those in need? Unfortunately, the U.S. is becoming one of the least patriotic countries in the world. We have national pride, but when it comes to sacrifice, we are a selfish people.

The United States, as the world's only superpower, has a tremendous opportunity to be an example to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, we have gone in the completely opposite direction - we spend more money thinking of ways to hurt people than to help them. We spend more money on bombs than on books. We spend more money destroying countries rather than building and educating them. We choose to ignore the hungry and oppressed and show the rest of the world the selfishness that comes from having a big wallet and a little heart instead.

We choose not to help out our own people, or anyone else for that matter. It's ironic that people who are trying to stop war, cure disease, help the poor and educate the masses are called hippies, then are told to get out of this country because they are unpatriotic.

Answer 1

Patriotism means loyalty for one's country. The word is used in the civic sense otherwise if it's in the personal sense then the word loyalty is used.

Answer 2

As you alluded to, patriotism is the ideal of having pride in your country. While some may see patriotism as blind obedience to an often out of touch government, I strongly believe that it is also having pride in the ideals and statutes on which this country is based.
Yes, sacrifice is one of these ideals. Still, and more importantly, is the ideal, and right, for one to think for himself. I would not say that the US is becoming the least patriotic country. In showing criticism to the direction that our country is going and taking advantage of our "unalienable rights", even those calling for George Bush's head could, in a way, be called patriotic.
One last point: we are all (except for our Vice President) human, and as such, flawed and innately selfish. Although some textbooks may say otherwise, the facts consistently point to the notion that the founding fathers had their own selfish agenda. For example, when Madison wrote "we the people", how was it that the majority of the population at that time were left w/out rights? The truth is that even under the modern constitution and our countries statutes, people are NOT all equal. Policies like affirmative action that are intended for the betterment of equality instead contradict the very principals that this country is founded upon. Add in variables like illegal immigration and the fact that big businesses are controlling the government and it is clear that using power to help each and every American is easier said than done.

Answer 3

Exactly! We are so worried about having the right to do things, but not worried enough about doing the right thing. American people have gotten kind of lax in what is truly important. Granted I do believe the govt. should be questioned from time to time, but I think there is a way to go about it. We as a country need to become more Pro-active as opposed to trying to be retro active.
I believe the only thing that should come before your country is your family. Your country is like an extended family of sorts. You may not like your brothers and sisters but you should always fight for them and their well being.

Answer 4

Funny word, "patriot" and its other forms. Have you noticed the word was dead -obscure- until the 9/11 attacks? Then it came out again. Why is that?

Personally, I think it is a word used to describe the US citizens in the event of such as the attacks. It is illusional, led to believe there is something to fight for and a reason for bringing about war.

Lots of folks today say there are "patriots". But can they show proof of it before 9/11?????

Answer 5

Funny, that. Patriotism is the love of your country. America's true strength is in its constitution, which is basically written to protect the individual against big groups and mob rule (why we have a republic instead of a democracy).
So, TRUE Patriotism would be to love yourself, the individual who acts as a creative person, not depending upon groups or government to solve their problems.
Your money is your vote:
If you want change, keep it in your pocket.

Answer 6

First of all, the talk about patriotism is ridiculous. There are two kinds of patriotism. There is the kind of patriotism which says you follow the orders of your leaders reflexively. And that is one kind. And there's a kind of patriotism that is based on concern and care for the people of the country and of the society, their fate, what's going to happen to my grandchildren and neighbors and so on. That's another kind of patriotism. That's the sensible kind. And, in that sense, the protesters are the greatest patriots. They are the ones who are acting in the benefit of the country as they see it and, incidentally, as I see it, and as most of the world sees it.

Answer 7

If your a liberal, patriotism is sympathizing with terrorists, and making up conspiracies in hopes of turning the public against the government.

Answer 8

"Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious."
-- Oscar Wilde

Answer 9

blindly following george bush.....they will have you believe that one is unamerican if you question anything about him...

Answer 10

www.votetoimpeach.org is my patriotism