Is Patriotism The New Opium Of The Masses?

Question

Because capitalism has failed the people so its time to dust down the manuals and look again. Don't you think?

The only interest in the bill of rights I have is to tear them up and re write them properly.

I am not Karl Marx. Its just a Yahoo nickname. The serious stuff is the idiocy of the masses. I did not say I follow the teachings of Marx or The teachings of Christianity for that matter. Nor that of GWB or others.

Its not opiate it IS opium. That is what I said opium of the masses - get it right. In its pure form, what they do with it is something else.

Funny how this type of question chokes the "patriots". As they say, old people shiver when dry bones are mentioned.

Answer 1

Contrived patriotism is the easy way out. The personal obligation to create a system of values and perceptions, that is relevant, is thrown away and replaced with a script that someone else has written.

And the fundamentalists are doubly blessed in this regard. Their politics AND their religion is preformatted They just paint the numbers on the canvas board. No responsibility, no accountability, no pressure to provide justification; just read the script.

It's a coward's approach to life.

Answer 2

The real "Opium" of the Masses is the type of liberal attitudes we see so prevalent in the entertainment industry and among former "hippies" and many others who feel it is helpful to bring down the ideals of our great country. Patriotism began many years ago when we went from being the colonies to The United States of America. I think it is amazing that a document written over 200 years ago still works today --and I do believe it works.
To be patriotic toward our country is what helps to keep a country moving and progressing forward.
There is nothing wrong with being proud of where you live .
I suggest you try living in a third world country for a while or a country that suppresses individual freedoms. Live in a place like that for a year or two, as people I know have. And then come back to America and see if you don't feel blessed, and appreciative of the freedoms,comforts, and goodness that this great country offers us all. Maybe then you might be able to muster up perhaps a glimmer of patriotism.
Have a nice day and God Bless America.

Answer 3

It's just my lifestyle as it's always been. I didn't just start the other day to be patriotic. I still love patriotic music. I still stand and sing the Star Spangled Banner. I'm still very proud to be an American and appreciate the good it's done for people over the years! I'm proud to have served my country and proud of the men and women who serve right now. I believe in God and country and proud to say I am a patriotic American where anyone with a will can become whatever they strive to be unlike other countries.

Answer 4

Poor Marx. Thought people would choose to work, because it is "therapeutic," and had never contemplated how evil this world would become without religion.

We are finding out. And patriotism the "opium (sic) of the masses?" Hardly. Self has become the opiate of the people.

Answer 5

Ooh, finally a good question. This is one i shall ponder.
My immediate response would be yes. We do seem to be in an upswing of patriotism at the moment. This is very much evident in my country, Australia.

On Australia Day I saw children draped in flags and waving banners but when asked what Australia Day was about they had no idea. They couldn't name our first Prime Minster. They were patriotic and didn't really know why.
I think alot of this patriotism comes from the war. It has given the majority of Australians a sense of unity. Us against them. This has been to the detriment of minority Aussies. Muslims have particularly felt the backlash. This has gone so far as to prompt concert organisers banning the Aus flag in their venues to avoid race riots.
Patriotism and pride in your country is great. Racism and ignorance disguised as patritotism is a scary, scary reality.

Answer 6

I was under the impression is was opiate of the masses. And what do you care anyway? You look down your nose at them and sneer. Come on. You have no respect for them anyway and yet these are the same people who you want to encourage to become Marxists. You are too funny to be taken seriously.

Answer 7

the opium of the masses is money, materialism , comfort and convienience, The e. u. has gat us to give away our own nation in the interest of economic convenience, supermarkets get us to create run down towns so they can have all the proffits and we get the convenience, and television brainwashes us into doing their bidding. the media are the first sheep,that glorifie materialism, and follow their own crazyness, we are the second sheep who believe their madness.

Answer 8

No. The new opiate of the masses is shopping and no one is patriotic when it comes money.

Answer 9

There is a smidgen of truth in this when BNP supporters come on here and claim their party is the party of patriotism. What c%$p!
No doubt I'll be reported for this by a BNP voter...but what the hell!

Answer 10

Yep - Patriots who know zilch about the constitution and bill of rights, who attack people who disagree with them and repeat the lies of hate radio and the Faux misinformation network.