Why do people always say "If you don't like America then get out"?

Question

It is worth noting that this country was founded by dissenters. The fact that we have people saying "If you don't like it then leave!" is very disheartening. The implication behind the statement is "If you don't like some of the goings-on in America, then you are unpatriotic and therefore should leave". I love my country and would happily lay down my life defending it. But my political beliefs veer toward the Jeffersonian, and I don't believe in pledging allegiance to any flag and "to the government for which it stands". I do not believe in the Leviathan our bureaucracy has become, or in its politicians and their lies. Nor do I believe in God, which is also my right. My plan is not to leave, but to work within the system to affect positive change.
I am hoping for a constructive and intelligent discussion.

I just want to clarify: I do not hate America. I do not like the government, though.

to chole_24: I never said this country wasn't founded on Judeo-Christian values. In fact, I think religion is a great thing for people. I just don't need religion to do good things and be a "moral" person. Your intimation that my atheism makes me a immoral person is a little insulting. (and I'm sorry for putting this on a public post, but you don't accept email so I had no other choice)

To sarge927: Firstly, you are right about my quote of the Pledge of Allegiance. My apologies. To be honest, I have not spoken the pledge since I was in high school a number of years ago.
(Ironically, when an initiative came up in my home state to remove "under God" from the Pledge, I protested it. I think others should be able to say it, I just don't want to)
You put up a decent argument, however you missed what I was trying to say. YES we do have it good here. NO it was not what the Founding Fathers left us with. I'm a proponent of small government, that's all. And I am aware that we are the freest country in the world. I am not stupid. (although I think that was what you were implying) However, we were freer in the past, both socially and economically, and we could be again. Same apology as above applies, if either of you (or anyone) would like to continue this debate, feel free to email me. I'm not afraid of open discussion, and I'm not afraid to admit my mistakes.

Answer 1

Thanks for an intelligent read. People who say "If...get out" seem to think in order to be a real American you must support and bolster the ego of every President, out of some misguided view of what respect should mean, no matter what they have done or how incompetent they are. They forget the early history of this country and the fact that we, as citizens, are not only given the right to dissent, we are expected to do so when necessary. We the people are the guardians of our government and we do not elect Kings, we elect Presidents.
Jefferson was certainly all about states' rights, so much so he was sent to France on some pretext to get him out of the way of the Constitutional convention so the Federalists could run the show without him there to aggravate the hell out of them.

Answer 2

Well, when a person cannot have a belief of pledging allegiance to the country they are from and would fight for has double sided, forked tongued loyalty.

There has always been bureaucracy in this country and it would take a lot more than just leaning toward the Jeffersonian to change it.

Your belief in God is your business; however, it would not be to any ones advantage to try to change peoples knowledge that this country was founded on Judo-Christian principles. Decent and moral are the issues at hand and since this country has been moved away from it's original rendition of how the law is interpreted and activist judges are finding FOR the movements, which remove these moral values, this country in falling deeper and deeper behind. (Just in case no one has noticed)..but since the moral and Christian decline of the U.S., our country has fallen deeper into debt, gangs are on increase, there are more divorces, families are splitting apart, more people are joining others in coming out of the closet and being 'socially gay' to prove a point, we are on the black-list of the most hated country in the world.

When we lack values, moral or otherwise, we're asking to be just another third world country, who's monetary value has sunken into a hole from which there may never be an escape. Other countries in the middle-east call us infidels. The definition of that is from Webesters: 1. Having no religious faith. 2. not of a particular religion; an unbeliever.

As much as the atheists hate to admit it, they only continue to prove to the highly religious middle-east that we are living up to this name as being a country without moral scruples.

I would think that when people tell you to just leave, they mean what they say because it's their belief that double minded, double-tongue people cannot always be found as correct until they find a 'one belief' system.

Answer 3

To answer your question, I would have to say it's because many people like to complain about America, but are doing little more than just that, complaining. They are part of the problem not the solution.

I also think they take for granted, that too many people have died so they can have the right to dissent. Dissent is an essential part of democracy, but people who complain should try to effect change or shut up.

I too love my country and have served in the military to help protect the values that this country was founded on(not what it has become).

In closing, I would also venture to say its easier to criticize than accept responsibility. However if someone dislikes this country that much then perhaps they should find someplace else to live.

Answer 4

That comment comes primarily from people who consider themselves patriots and are basically tired of listening to people (whoever they may be) whine about what's wrong with this country.

See, many of the dissenters are not like you. They expect to enjoy all the benefits of being an American but refuse to acknowledge their responsibilities. They believe they have the right (and DEMAND the right) to do whatever they want, whenever they want, with no regard to anyone or anything else. They believe that America owes them everything but they are not required to give anything back.

Simply put, the vast majority of the people who are griping about how "bad" this country is are spoiled children who have no idea how fortunate they are to live in a country where you can speak your mind without having to worry about being thrown in jail or killed just for expressing an opinion. These people cannot wrap their brains around the truth that there ARE oppressive governments out there that tolerate no dissent and put detractors to death.

So the whole idea of telling someone "If you don't like it, then leave" is an over-simplified way of saying "Look, if you think it's so bad here, why don't you go to another country and see how much worse they have it, and while you're at it, try speaking out against the governments in other countries and see how quickly your life or your freedom are taken away." It's not so much a suggestion of getting out as it is a reminder that you should appreciate your freedom because so many people in the world don't have it.

P.S.: I find it strange that you say you love your country and would die defending it but you don't believe in the pledge of allegience to the REPUBLIC for which it stands. If you love this country, why do you have a problem pledging your allegience to it? You're not pledging allegience to our elected leaders; you're pledging your allegience to the country whose Constitution guarantees your freedom to disagree with your elected leaders and speak out against them. Dislike the players if you wish, but respect the game and the rules that give you freedom of choice.

P.P.S.: The only way to effect positive change within the system is to wait until 2012, when EVERYONE is up for re-election, and vote every incumbent on Capitol Hill out of office. Instead, we'd have to replace them all with people who are not power-hungry and really do give a $h!t about what's best for this country to sit down in D.C. and make changes that will REALLY count, like holding elected officials and convicted criminals accountable for their actions, social reform that will take care of those who are truly disabled and will give unemployed but able-bodied people a hand-up but not a handout, fiscal reform like a balanced-budget amendment, and programs designed to shrink the big pig known as Club Fed.

Answer 5

you're complicated the guy with the story. till the upward thrust of ire among the Palestinians maximum folk did no longer take any observe or in some situations additionally be attentive to that their co worker/neighbour/early existence buddy replaced right into a Muslim. It replaced right into a non concern. Of some distance extra effective magnitude 50 to one hundred 365 days in the past replaced into have been they Polish/Catholic/Jewish and so on? to no longer point out the super ***** divide.... of direction there have been Muslims in united statesa. because of the fact the initiating of sizeable immigration. they have geared up the country interior a similar way as the different immigrant race and non secular denomination has. the distinction over the final 20 years or so is, ( terrorism aside because it has financial and political motives), that they have refused to be non-vocal approximately what they see as their equivalent rights to stay their lives the way they pick.

Answer 6

As far as this admonition folk give quicker they can even consider entering into thoughtful discourse; I thoroughly agree with you.

I believe in obeying the laws that government has set down; [working to change those I do not consider fair or reasonable] Pledging allegiance to me means only that...along with not attempting to commit treason or unlawfully overthrow the government.

I do believe in God - as is also my right.

Now - it galls me to no end to have people say that to me - if I wanted to leave I would - in a heartbeat! I do not feel 'chained' here - I remain for many reasons at this point, the foremost being my children and grandchildren are here.

What I work for and would be very pleased to see is a system by which those who constructively criticize would be given a realistic avenue through which to address said criticisms and have every faith that SOMEONE would look in them and change COULD be fostered ...............however, that is not yet to be presently...........it has happened in the past............it can happen again.

Just today a co-worker and I were speaking of the Electoral College and musing over the meaning of Democracy vis a vis the last Presidential Election where the PEOPLE voted for Gore ...........[yet who is in the White House?]

Answer 7

Let me try to clarify a bit..

People who say that usually mean if you hate the system itself. I agree we are a society of dissenters and we should have a voice to clearly argue our points and we as a people should listen to both sides of every argument and make an educated and informed decision.

If however people simply don't like this approach and would prefer that we move to a socialist society where the government makes decisions for us, I would encourage them to try one of those countries that has that sort of system in place.

We should all strive to be open minded but at the same time educate ourselves on the issues and make decisions based on facts not emotions. Emotional decisions tend to have consequences that are not always fully considered.

Answer 8

I don't think many people at all hate the US.

This administration and the typical governmental bull we have to put up with year in and year out (regardless of party affiliation) is something to hate, however.

And none of these folks (Dem or Rep) give two s***s about us and our problems. Govenors, members of the Senate, VP's, or Presidents *always* come from the top 1%, economically, of our country. You cannot wage a successful campaign unless you can raise millions and millions of dollars. They are not in touch with any of our needs. They take soft money, get wined and dined by lobbyists, and make laws that pander to big business.

It's almost inherent to the position that if you are looking for power, you are corrupt before you are ever elected.

What happened to "for the people, by the people"?

Answer 9

I completely respect your point of view and believe that you are doing the right thing, even if I disagree. To answer your question, I think part of the reason people are saying that is due to the vitriolic nature of dissent today. People aren't just standing up and saying "I disagree!" They are standing up and calling the president names. People aren't just saying "I disagree with the reasons for starting this war" they're singing catchphrases like "no blood for oil".

That type of rhetoric takes discourse to the level of hating, and it starts to sound like the dissenter truly hate this country. When someone is loudly singing a hate song, you start to ask, "Then why are you here?"

I'm not saying that's right, but I do think that's WHY.

Freedom of speech is now an excuse for bad manners (by the way, that is the problem BOTH extremes share!). People need to take responsibility for not only expressing their views, but HOW they express their views. The more people do that, the greater chance there will be of making progress. Thanks for a really good question!

Answer 10

People who say that are more interested in arguing than having an intelligent discussion and trying to solve the issues at hand. I commend you for your realization that this country was founded on dissent, and I would take it even further by saying that it is our DUTY to question our leaders. It is unfortunate that so many people feel they must insult and demean a person if they have views that are different than their own. Hopefully intelligence will prevail.