This should be a good nonbiased question.
PS-You like my new "patriotic" picture?
2006-09-22 08:05:58 · 34 answers · asked by Villain 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Democrats. Most Americans have confused patriotism with nationalism, though the two are often diametrically opposed. Waving a flag is Nationalism. Dissent is Patriotism. "My country, right or wrong" and "USA: Love it or Leave it" is Nationalism. Pointing out dangerous flaws in government policy is Patriotism. Telling people to "Shut up and get in line with the President" or "If you don't like it, move to France" is the antithesis of democracy and therefore, not patriotic.
"It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from the government.
- Thomas Paine
"A President is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution".
-- President James Madison
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither."
- Ben Franklin
"If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin."
- Samuel Adams
"This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it."
- President Abraham Lincoln
"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce and brave man, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot."
- 'Mark Twain'
"Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President."
- President Theodore Roosevelt
2006-09-22 09:07:46 · answer #1 · answered by john_stolworthy 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh you've shaved? It looks so much nicer. I think patriotism runs strong in both democrats and republicans. I think there are factions that say they belong to the democrat party (far left wing) that do not have this countries best interest at heart. Republicans percentage wise are more apt to volunteer for the military, but that is not the only way one can show their patriotism. I'm going have to go with the Republicans having a slight lead on this one.
2006-09-22 08:12:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a complicated question and patriotism must first be defined.
What is a being Patriotic?
1. Is it supporting your government no matter what they do? Under that definition, I guess the Nazi troops were very patriotic to Hilter's Germany.
2. Is it supporting and believing in the constitution that is the basis of our great nation?
3. Is it loving your country so much that you would die for her?
4. Is it loving your country so much that you would fight to keep her safe to include fighting your own government trying to change her?
Taking all of those factors into account, I would have to say Democrats overall are more Patriotic.
For example, let's look at me:
- I was in the IRR when Saddam invaded Kuwait and volunteered to go active for that war therefore, I would fight for the values of my country.
- Would I go active for this war? No. This war is against everything we stand for. This war is destroying our values, causing record breaking internal division and every single Iraqi that we have killed has made us murderers.
- I am a liberal because I am a constitutionalist. I believe in the constitutional rights and liberties to all. That is why I support the Supreme Court's decisions on things like legalizing abortion based on the 1st Amd., not allowing prayer in public schools based on the 4th Amd, and the right to bear arms based on the 2nd and 9th Amd.s
You see, Republicans seem to enjoy constitutional civil liberties and claim to love America but then turn around and protest things that they don't agree with.
As a true patriotic, you don't get to pick and choose portions of the constitution that you want to live by or not.
2006-09-22 08:30:44 · answer #3 · answered by BeachBum 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Democrats and Republicans are both patriotic. The problem is that conservative Republicans have taken patriotism---the idea of supporting your troops and loving your country---and turned it upside down, equating disagreeing with the Bush administration with being unpatriotic, not supporting your troops, undermining your President, and hating your country.
As Al Franken writes:
"If you listen to a lot of conservatives, they'll tell you that the difference between them and us is that conservatives love America and liberals hate America. That we 'blame America first.'. That we're suspicious of patriotism and always think our country is in the wrong. As conservative radio and TV personality Sean Hannity says, we liberals 'train our children to criticize America, not celebrate it.'
"They don't get it. We love America just as much as they do. But in a different way. You see, they love America the way a four-year old loves her mommy. Liberals love America like grown-ups. To a four-year old, everything Mommy does is wonderful and anyone who criticizes Mommy is bad. Grown-up love means actually understanding what you love, taking the good with the bad, and helping your loved one grow. Love takes attention and work and is the best thing in the world.
"That's why we liberals want America to do the right thing. We know America is the hope of the world, and we love it and want it to do well. We also want it to do good.
"When liberals look back on history, we see things we're very proud of. And we also see some things, which might have seemed like good ideas at the time, but turned out to be mistakes. And some things we did, well, they were just bad. That doesn't *keep* us from loving our country---it's *part* of loving our country. It's called honesty. What do you think is more important to a loving relationship, honesty or lies?"
Think about that the next time a conservative calls you a Bush basher.
2006-09-22 08:29:43 · answer #4 · answered by smoke16507 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well is it unbiased to say the Constitution should be the central organizing principle of the USA? Is torture Unpatriotic?...since it ia a Geneva treaty obligation, the highest law under the Constitution. Is Habeas something that was intended to separate the USA from even the possibility of dictatorship? Should there be HONEST elections were EVERY vote is counted? Dictator Dumbya, (and his Dumbyabots), a Repuke as you know who LIED when he swore to "preserve protect and defend the Constitution.." , wants a different country than that of the above. I believe in the above and aspire to be a patriotic Democrat who wouldn't be a perjuror in saying that oath. I believe I am a typical Democrat.
2006-09-22 08:22:55 · answer #5 · answered by rhino9joe 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Define Patriotic? Just because you fly an American Flag in your yard does not make you Patriotic...
In fact I have seen morons claiming to be Patriotic Flag Waving Americans Rocking out to Bruce Springsteins Born in the USA....
The song is not Patriotic... It is about a Vietnam Vet... Who was forced to fight in Vietnam and then was defecated on by his country when he returned....
If You Call Jesus Politics Patriotic then again you are wrong... There is more than 1 religion and our constitution protects freedom of religion....
If you threw away all your Dixie Chicks Cd's after Natalie Maines stated she was ashamed of the President then you are not Patriotic... She has a constitutional right to free speech....
If you allow the Church and State to combine then you are not patriotic... You do not support the preservation of this nation and you will be the downfall of it....
I used to consider myself patriotic... However, now being Patriotic is associated with supporting the moron George Dubya Bush....
If being Patriotic is associated with lies, torture, no bid contracts, and unlawful detention then no I am not Patriotic!!
2006-09-22 08:21:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Patriotism has nothing to do with which political party a person belongs to. Trying to say one political party is more patriotic than the other is, in essence, childish behavior.
Of course watching the senate or congress in action, on C-span, is a lot like watching a 5th grade classroom when the teacher steps out for a moment.
2006-09-22 08:18:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Patriotism is a personal issue and not a party platform though both would claim the mantle. There are patriotic democrats and patriotic republicans.
2006-09-22 08:20:11 · answer #8 · answered by JB 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why is the definition of patriotism so wrapped up with military glory, flag-waving conformity and unquestioning obedience?
My definition of patriotism is committment to the Constitution, which I see as sorely lacking in those who have appropriated the red-white-and-blue cloak for themselves.
I see it as highly patriotic to speak up when one thinks the nation is headed down a dangerous or morally questionable path.
Certainly the Founders thought that way. They saw fit to amend their precious and hard-won Constitution to protect free thought and expression, and considered it important enough to make it the FIRST Amendment.
Are those who would burn the Constitution while waving the flag patriots?
I guess it depends upon your priorities....
2006-09-22 08:16:09 · answer #9 · answered by x 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel that niether party has sway over the other as far as Patriotism goes. Republicans have the habit of calling anyone that disagrees with their views unpatriotic. Democrats on the other hand tend to defend indivdual freedoms more.
2006-09-22 08:10:56 · answer #10 · answered by my_iq_135 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋