when I say I love America, but hate the American government, am I unpatriotic?

Question

I don't think those who desent aginst the Iraq war are unpatriotic.

Answer 1

Um...yes, you are, to a degree.

The United States of America *IS* in large part, it's government (or lack thereof).

It's been said that the government is best which governs least.

A nation is "loved" for many reasons...locale, terrain, environment...and culture. Culture is impacted greatly by government. Economy is affected greatly by government.

So...if you mean that you love the American culture, then you love the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, because our liberty (which is part of our governmental framework) has allowed many types of people to come to the US and prosper.

Which part of American government do you hate?

ADDITION: For Michaelsan...by the way...Thomas Jefferson *NEVER* said "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism."

*NEVER* said it...never said anything like it. Lots of Libs think that he did, though.


Best tighten up your political baseline, Michael

Answer 2

No, not unpatriotic. But don't waste your energy "HATING" the government. Work towards repairing it.

I don't think many of the war desenters are unpatriotic either. There are good reasons for not being there. But we are. Now it's a matter of finding a way to end our involvement there in a manner that we can hold our heads up, not with our tails between our legs. How many feel good about the way we left Vietnam?

Answer 3

Your first sentence, no. Although 'hate' is a strong word, I disagree with much that our government does, especially when they steal money from my pocket or undermine the public interest as they tried to do recently by granting amnesty to illegal aliens.

As to your second sentence, it's fine not to agree with the war, but the thing is, the debate has been over for years. We're there now and the ONLY option is to complete what we started. Anything less is an abuse of the Iraqi people..we went in, destroyed their physical infrastructure and removed their government. Now some in America want to simply leave? Bad move.

But when the 'dissent' ends up encouraging and emboldening our enemies to the point that it results directly in the increase in death and injury to our forces in the area, THAT is unpatriotic. While I understand that those on the democratic side of aisle want to leave Iraq, their methods are exasperating the situation in Iraq by giving heart to our enemies. "If we hold out a little longer, kill a few more, the Americans will leave." That's simple human nature. If the mullahs were preaching peace and submission to the Iraqi authority, would you be more likely to support the war? If they said, "If the Americans aren't gone in three months, we'll lay down our arms." do you think we'd hold out?

The answer to these questions is obvious and the affect of the liberal actions is equally obvious, particularly given the fact that their dissent comes with absolutely no better alternatives. Their alternative? Surrender. Brilliant. Really brilliant. Through out this war Democrats have done nothing but oppose the presidents efforts while offering absolutely no better alternative. NOT ONE. When you do that, your 'dissent' ceases to be dissent and becomes nothing more than self serving b1tching.

Answer 4

Bush is an spectacular chief in this time of disaster. conflict on Iraq- Thumbs up. particular Suddam Hussein did not have nuclear weapons yet we are able to not take that probability. Suddam might in all likelihood replaced into look for vengeance after the gulf conflict and drop a mushroom on us. u.s. had nukes and whilst thay fell from ability there weapons have been unfolded in the process the middle east. Iran has nukes. Afganistan had al-Qaeda. Now katrina is a distinctive tale. you may pass that off and blame it on Bush yet we've been ib hurricanes contained in the previous and human beings didnt evacuate. ok it is all suited to not in common terms like the goverment, yet bush has achieved a sturdy job

Answer 5

Hating the current government is a grand American tradition. When Democrats are in the White House, you can bet Republicans hate the government while loving the country at the same time.

Dissenting against the decision to go to war is one thing. But I do believe that you should want your country to win a conflict once it gets into one. Hold your government responsible for its mistakes, but don't root for your own country's defeat.

Answer 6

When a person says their government is right or wrong, that is as American as a person can be.

Speaking out is what this country is about.

Not being one size fits all robots that is a basic communist ideal.

Anyone who condemns a person for speaking out against our government and calling them a traitor, is no better then a full fledge communist.

Of course you can love your country and hate your government. I love America, and have no respect for my government. I feel the government is failing the people and not living up to our ideals.

I got out, in part, because of that and moved to a country that is emerging from dictatorial rule into what we once were.

I find that very, very sad.

Peace

Jim

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Answer 7

The American ruling establishment has become a dictatorship. A crypto dictatorship that is steadily baring it's fangs. In a few years it will be an in your face police state. The mask will come off. By then it won't be unusual for dissenters to simply disappear off the street. Rounded up by Home Land Security, to languish in a secret interrogation center. By 2010 freedom will have vanished from America. But it will be be for you're own good. To protect you from those shadowy forces that hate freedom. Sound familar?

Answer 8

I don't think so, but it really depends on how you go about it. If it's filled with lies and hate and nonsense, then yes, it is unpatriotic. If it's just a dislike of the current administration and the war, that's your prerogative as an American. (I'm a Republican, btw.)

Answer 9

Not at all. Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence said "Dissent is the highest for of Patriotism." The Declaration also says we have every right to be angry with our government, and "when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them ( you and me ) under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government,..."

Fear not, for you are acting in the best traditions of this country. Often governments get out of control, as Bush has , and deserve public rebuke, satire and even hatred. It is your right, it is your duty to say so. The Iraq War, Torture, spying on US citizens, and many other actions of this administration have severely damaged this society at home and abroad and you are not alone in your opinion. Say what you feel with gusto, confident you have the blessing of men like Washington, Jefferson and Franklin. You are in good company when you do so.

Answer 10

Hell no...I think you are most patriotic as our goverment in many ways treats us citizens as an enemy. The American Government has ceased to chimpion 'the people' and has become the arm of corporate america.

I hate the way Government screws the average citizens.