Am I unpatriotic or do people really know nothing about America?

Question

I posted a question regarding my fear that the US government does not uphold the values that make America what it was founded on and I wanted some serious advice on whether I should stay in ROTC and hope I can make a difference someday or quit (I don't have a scholarship yet and I'm not contracted yet) and try to make my difference in the civilian sector or politics. Keep in mind if I quit ROTC, I would join the reserves as soon as I graduate from college so it's not the military I'm trying to get away from, I'm just trying to find out where I would make a better difference. I was received with hostility and people accused me of being a Muslim terrorist trying to undermine the United States. And this wasn't by one person, it was by many. Am I wrong in how I feel or is there a large population of ignorant extremists on both the right and left in this country?

Ok I worded my question wrong. I am a Christian, not a Muslim, however I'm not liking the way the Christian church throws propaganda around either. Another clarification, I'm libertarian so I'm not siding with either republican's or democrats because it is the entire political power and party system that corrupts our government. Also I'm not a bush hater, I think there are better leaders in the world than Bush but they haven't done too much damage. Also I agree with the war on terror but I don't agree with how our government handles it. The government uses it as a tool to rally supporters and now that public opinion has wanned they don't care about our soldiers anymore. I just feel like we have strayed from the constitution. This isn't a poke at the administration, its a poke at the power struggle between two warring parties.

Answer 1

No--you are not being unpatriotic--quite the opposite.

The people attacking you are the ones who are unpatriotic--as is anyone who decries a person who dares to dissent. Asking questions--real questions--and being able to do so freely--that's what ths country is all about. You are to be commended, not criticized.

As to making your decision--bear in mind that our founding fathers did not trust the government--any government. The Bill of Rights--the whole of the Constitution, in fact--is about restraining the government so that it remains our servant, not our master. "Government in its best state is but a necessary evil, in its worst state an intolerable one" (Thomas Paine).

I can't give you advice on what to do--but I can make some suggestions as to how to mke that decision. First--don't let the state of our government be the deciding factor--we need good people like you in the military. But we also need people like you in other branches of government service--and on theoutside, pusing for change and reform.

So--make your decision based on what course is best for you--taking into account your own talents and interests. Don't worry about "making a difference." With your attitude, you will. I'm certain of that.

Answer 2

I just replied to your first question... I'll summarize what I said there.

No you're not being unpatriotic at all. And I think you should stick with ROTC.

If you agree with the values the government is upholding at the moment or not, don't worry about it. You're making the country stronger ultimately. The values the government upholds will change for the better over time as administrations and politicians change and as people make their demands heard.

I don't think we're doing much in Iraq that is directly protecting freedoms we have back here, and to be honest I think the President is a ****, but if people pick and choose where and when they be deployed, which wars to fight, etc., then you will have a weak military, weak country and you won't be able to protect much of anything.

Answer 3

Very good question and the answer is, most Americans are clueless about what is going on in their own country. Evidence of this is obvious - the war, the total lack of ignorance about how the government can and should work, a knee jerk reaction to support the USA's religious right everytime the word 'sex' is mentioned or there is an exposed nipple, people only want "rights" when it suits their agenda, but when someone else stands to gain something, or want the same equal rights, then they want to take them away or deny them. Americans are so fat, so lazy, so ignorant, and so superficial that I am simply amazed that more harm and catastrophy hasn't beset us. I mean, no group of even moderately concerned or educated people would tolerate W and Cheney -and yet here we are, giving them money to do whatever they want and all we say is, "gee he is the president so he must be doing the right thing."

Answer 4

If you fear that America is not upholding the values that make america what it was founded, you have two problems.

#1 You are believing only what you hear and are failing to think for yourself. If you review the evidence (not the ravings on this board), you will find that most of the ranting is smoke and mirrors focused on trashing the current administration.

#2 When you join the military you are agreeing to keep your politics to yourself and obey the orders your are given, which: if in Iraq, are on pain of death.

Decide who YOU support and then decide who to join.

Answer 5

There is nothing unpatriotic about your question, and don't let the haters on either side get to you.

You just want to serve our country in whatever manner you would make the biggest difference, and for that, I salute you.

I honestly don't know much about ROTC, but many of my clients are in the National Guard and the Reserves, and I can tell you that they do make a difference in too many ways to describe here. My brother-in-law also recently retired from 30 years in the Navy Reserves. He loved it and rose to the rank of Captain. I know he made a difference.

So do whatever feels right - try to talk to young people just a few years older than you who have made each of the decisions you are pondering now... they have been where you are and will help you find your way.

God Bless America, God Bless Our Troops and God Bless You.

Answer 6

If you feel that the US Government does not uphold the values that make America what it was founded on, then you should look in your heart and do what you think is the right thing to do.

That my friend, is the American way.

Answer 7

you should do what your conscience dictates. i feel we do need people of morals in the military at all times but most especially now, however if you feel you could not fulfill your obligation due to moral objections(i personally would not hold that against you and would feel you were no less a patriotic american for it) and would be in situations you would be uncomfortable with you should not go the rotc route as it would lead to ridicule and conscientious objector. there are many ways one could serve their country without bearing arms and these are no less brave or important to our society...good luck with your decision and your future

Answer 8

There is more than enough ignorance to go around; one sees it all the time. My advice: stick with the ROTC. This way, you'll wind up an officer, and as such have more clout than you would if enlisted or in the reserves.

Answer 9

I didn't see your first question but my advice is get a good education, if you are going into the military stay in ROTC it can only help you in the future. Good Luck

Answer 10

the country is split between both partys and people could care less