Is it a duty as Americans to support the president no matter what?

Question

If it is a duty to support the president no matter what, as I've seen some people state on this forum. Doesn't that imply that if you do not support, or disagree you are UnAmerican? Where does the concept of Freedom of Choice play a part in this, or does it? No arguments, no disagreements, and no questioning or you are UnAmerican right, well according to some on this Forum that lean to the Conservative Right Wing.

Answer 1

Iti sn ot the duty to support every decision the president makes- it is okay and even completely 'American' to disagree with the president.
What is unacceptable, however, is the disrespect to the office of authority. It is one thing to disagree with authority, a completely differetn thing to be disprespectful and demeaning. We cannot expect our children to be respectful responsible citizens if we have nothing more intelligent to say and do than superimpose monkey faces on the presidents picture. Godd or bad, he is in a position of authority and the position or office should be respected as such. If you don't agree, educate yourself on what the change should be, petition, lobby, work with the governement to effect change- but there it is completely unamerican to be mocking, condescending, and disrespectful to the office of authority.

Answer 2

Here's the deal from one of the most right-wing conservatives you will ever hear from: The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees your right to say whatever you want about our elected leaders or their policies/decisions without fear of reprisal from the Government. They made that rule precisely because they wanted to encourage free debate on matters that affect the private citizens. So yes, if you disagree with President Bush or any of the decisions he has made, by all means exercise your First Amendment rights and speak your peace.

Where I have a problem with the whole idea is when you get into the endless non-constructive criticism (READ: BASHING) of our elected leaders. You have every right to hate President Bush or to think that he's an idiot, but if you hate him or think he's an idiot then you should be able to articulate your reasons WHY you feel that way (and I'm sorry, but spitting out the same thing you hear from the media only proves that you are incapable of independent thought and can be easily swayed by TV or radio).

The other problem surrounds the idea of RESPECT. You don't have to respect George W. Bush the person, but you should respect the office that he holds. I have absolutely zero respect for Hillary Rodham Clinton as a human being, but I respect the fact that she holds a chair in the Senate and would treat her with the appropriate respect if I ever met her in person. If I ever get a chance to speak with her, I would not engage in name-calling or belittling of her character but I WOULD respectfully and constructively tell her in no uncertain terms why I disagree with the principles she stands for and the decisions she has made as a leader.

See the difference? Intelligent adult discussion and disagreement is a good thing. Childish name-calling and bashing has no place outside an elementary school playground.

Answer 3

UK: I fully agree and truly admire the Free Speech rights of Americans, but surely within those rights, there must be exercised responsibility. The criticisms, the conspiracy theories, especially about 9/11, from these shores, seems to go beyond the pale. Surely the mistrust of officialdom in the US cannot be so great that no one believes anything anymore. Mr. Bush is privy to information that the general public only get a mere inkling of what is truly going on and to divulge his source would in many cases make the government and Mr. Bush lose all credibility in the eyes of other foreign governments. I cannot for one fraction of a second believe that the US government had anything whatsoever to do with 9/11. Yet, I will bet that the majority of those who do believe in such a conspiracy also believe in Alien abductions and probing. I think that you should all draw a line in the sand, for being so condemning of your government you are giving succor to the terrorists and other enemies of the state and belittling the troops in Iraq whilst spoiling the memory of all those heroic firefighters, police, ambulance attendants and others who died in the Twin Towers..........

Answer 4

To support the president completely is what the German people did with Hitler and just how did that turn out. No, I think we elect officials to do a job for us the people and when they don't do that job we have every right to oppose his reelection or his stance on say immigration. This president is probably the worst in history and certainly in my memory of making tragic mistakes that have cause many lives and he should face charges for it. I will never support George Bush, he has done to many wrongs in his life let alone in the presidency.

Answer 5

It would be quite UnAmerican if everyone supported the President without the chance of questioning his actions. This government is a system of checks and balances and we are all a part of that.

Answer 6

No it's not our duty, we as Americans have to write to our freedom of choice. Although it doesn't always feel like we are free the constitution says we are. Republicans think they know everything and they are always right, but they are blind to see the faults of their own presidents, some are so ignorant they dismiss the fact that the President is a human and can make mistakes, but ask a Repub. and they will say Bush is perfect.

Answer 7

This country was NOT built on blind loyalty. Our founding Fathers knew that to have one ruler or even one party, one mindset in leadership, was a dangerous thing! Otherwise you have a dictatorship like Cuba, Germany in the 20's, 30's and 40's. Also current regimes like Cuba, Iran, Libya, etc. This is why we have the political choices we do. It makes us uniquely American to question authority and not follow a leader blindly. Study Early American history and discover for yourself all that this country was built on. We have strayed from the original intent laid out by our founding Fathers, but we are still unique in our beliefs and freedoms.

Answer 8

I think this country would be better off with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck running it,and let's not forget goofy!!!!!!! It's no wonder so many republicans throw up their hands these days and shake their heads.I don't know who in their right mind would want to take over that job and try to fix this awful mess.And from the outcome of the election,our votes don't mean diddly anyway.

Answer 9

No you have that backwards.

It is the duty of the President to support Americans no matter what.

Try reading the Constitution.

Go big Red Go

Answer 10

Yes we should. A majority of Americans voted for him and a failure to support him only provides aid and comfort to the enemies of America (the definition of treason).

That being said -- I do not feel that we necessarily need to agree with him. I loathed Clinton as president but I still supported the office even if I didn't approve of the man.