us super patriotism?

Question

why are Americans so patriotic. i.e making kids sall that stupid "i pledge my alliegence to the flag" stuff.

you only have 200 years of history (native americans have theirs, but thats got very little to do with US), you are a total melting pot of all different races and religeons. You have no real identity. How can you get patriotic about a country which has no defining characteristic - even your constitution has no defining characteristic, because everytime a new generation disagrees, they just do ammendments.
Im English, but we would never considor singing "god save the queen" every day, or making our kids worship the flag. We can sometimes be critical of our country, and see the patriotism of the USA a bit cringeworthy and odd.

Why are people so manically patriotic?

PS - Lots of you will say dont generalise, its not all americans - but please, I know this already, I am talking about on the whole in relation to other western countries level of patriotism!

PS in reply to below - I watch live UK football every week!

The football thing is about a release of aggression. football thugs arent patriotic. what a bad reputation to bring to your country!

Answer 1

I'm U.S. born and raised, but I'm not "super-patriotic". I don't think we're ontologically better than anyone else.

But to answer your question:
1) Our newness is probably one of the reasons why some are super-patriotic. It's a rallying cry of sorts.
2) Despite our newness, we have accomplished a lot.
3) Our mixed heritage (where do you think "e pluribius unum" comes from) and the changeability of the Constitution ARE defining characteristics... so much so that you evidently noticed them.
4) The ability to criticize our government isn't unknown around here either. Ever notice that Bush has a very low approval rating? Or the many protests against the Iraqi war?

Answer 2

Are you saying we shouldn't be proud of the United States? More people want to get into this country--more than any other country. So we must be doing something right.
I think it's just natural for most people to think that where they're from (city, state, country) to be better than everywhere else--even if it's only: "our country can kick more balls in a goal than you country."
Politicians use patriotism to rally people to their way of thinking. It was abused by Bush, but now more people dislike him than like him. I think leaders of other countries try to do the same thing.
Hitler used patriotism to lead Germany into war and look where it got him.

Answer 3

Patriotism is very useful for social order.

That is why - an early American said: patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Answer 4

i take it you havent been to a European or Asian soccer match or seen one on tv
but i have seen the riots and the flags a flying when England plays Germany