Why are we now told we are not patriotic is we question our governments actions?

Question

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive.
Thomas Jefferson
3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)

Dave ...Maybe they don't hate Americans as much as they hate what our government is doing-I for one, do not believe that my government right now is acting in the American peoples or other peoples best interest-There is so much corruption with this administration-I do not feel that any of them represent me or the American way of life that I was taught to feel pride in! They completely ignore the “Rule of Law” that is un-American!

"This user is sick!>Because you do not question, you attack and interfere, without the knowledge or authority to do so.

When you are stopped, you whine and say "we were ONLY questioning".

Question all you want, but do not interfere.

You are not just exercising your right to question, you are undermining the authority of the United States, an act of Treason, for which you should be convicted and shot."
You sir are completely pathological! I have reported you to yahoo and I hope to god you do not consider yourself a christian...as your other Q & A suggest!

So I should be shot for treason because I want to discuss what patriotism is? That is exactly the reason for my question...that is the same hate speech that Hitler started before WWll

I know tons of Military personel that do NOT agree with this war...does that mean they are un-patriotic? I would never support Chaves or any other foreign nation above my own government...ever! I love my country...I just dis-agree with it's policies right now..I did not agree with the Clinton policies either!

Answer 1

to get you to stop questioning, to get others to intimidate you to keep you in line, to make you doubt yourself, you are a new patriot and you are not alone.

Answer 2

Well be kinda careful about quoting Thomas Jefferson. He also said and felt that a nation should have a revolution about every 50 to 100 years. Yeah it's true. Well I think what makes people upset or me anyway with people is when they go over seas or to another nation and show support for a leader or nation that is clearly against the US and would like to see us fall apart. People like that are not patriotic and really should move to that nation if they dislike it here so much. Many Americans do not like the fact that there are nations and organizations that want to and are trying to kill America and Americans. Our government is trying to keep those people from following through with their dreams and goals. While I will say that our government is not right all the time and the people should question the government we should also show support for America and Americans before we support some other group or nation. We should as Americans take pride in our freedoms and fight to the death in order to keep them and to keep all American citizens safe and alive. I may disagree with things the government does, but I complain to my senator and representative, not to Hugo Chaves or go to some other nation that shows it not only hates our government but also our way of life. We should be free to question our government and raise any concerns we have with it. Yet when dealing with the rest of the world we should be united as one nation and follow who the people elected. Though you may not have voted for that person, you still have to respect the vote and that more people supported this person over that one. So questioning our government is fine, but doing so over seas and befriending a nation that clearly dislikes us and would gladly take us over and take away our rights is not. That is unpatriotic. All that does is give those who hate America and what it stands for more power and acceptance in the eyes of other nations who dislike us. You see what I mean? =)

Answer 3

Because you do not question, you attack and interfere, without the knowledge or authority to do so.

When you are stopped, you whine and say "we were ONLY questioning".

Question all you want, but do not interfere.

You are not just exercising your right to question, you are undermining the authority of the United States, an act of Treason, for which you should be convicted and shot.

Answer 4

Its a tactic to intimidate you into compliance, as well as discredit any valid criticisms you may raise. After all, who are you to have an opinion about how the country ("of the people, by the people, and for the people") should be governed? Just go about your simple life, immersed in the latest sports contest, video game, or celebrity scandal; leave the thinking to the government. If they need you to think, they will tell you what and when to think, and how to communicate it for maximum political gain. If you refuse to follow this simple instruction, then you are a threat to those riding the government-sanctioned gravy train and you must be silenced.

Answer 5

I believe I feel the same way as you.
But I think that the majority of those who call people such as you and I "non-patriotic" tend to be from the middle class white Americans who generally grow up with middle class families. I live in a suburb of Phoenix ( the East Valley), and the general theme around here is that most people live in brand-new 3,000 square foot homes, with two new cars, and really nice furniture and a swiming pool. So in their opinions, the Government is doing a Great Job and life is good because of the government, and "how dare you" question such a wonderful government. "Why in fact, we were just talking in Church on Sunday what a wonderful president Bush is. He's such a good Christian." OH, and excuse me as I drive 20 miles over the speed limit after church because I have to get home to catch the football game!! and why is this stupid homeless freak asking me for money at the stop light, doesn't he know that I have to get home to catch the game!

Answer 6

Simple--there is an element in America--the hard-core of what is commonly called the "neo-conservatives"--that is opposed to our system of liberty and government by the people.

Note that they have--and continue to--press for eliminating not only free speech, but freedom of assembly (demonstrations/protests against (conservative) government poloicies, the protections of the 4th and 5th ammendment, etc. They have also supported the elevation of their pressident to a status that exempts him from accountability and tried to blocke efforts to keep him from assuming arbitrary and unlimited powers.

All these things--and more--are directly opposed to traditional AAmerican valuses, law, and liberty. Why they do this is simple--the motivation, lie the motives of any would-be dictator, is clear -cut--they believe they, as followers, will gain in profit and in power over others by supporting a dictator.

And the tactics are the same--including, among others, trying to smear any dissent as "unpatriotic"--jsut as the Soviets, the Nazis, and all other dictatorships do.

Answer 7

You ask a sturdy question. the following is my answer. The time to merchandise to protection force action is before the troops are deployed. If we assume of the authorities is making a mistake, we are able to strive against teeth and nail to end them. absolute self belief about that. although, once a vote is taken and the alternative is made to position in the troops into harm's way, all dissent ought to end. the reason being, better dissension may have a adverse result on our troops. even as they are in theater, laying their lives on the line for us, the in basic terms problem our enemies could listen from us at domicile is that we are united in the back of our troops one hundred% and could do each thing we are able to to insure they are positive of their mission. this is our duty to our troops. It facilitates preserve our troops morale and is amazingly discouraging to our enemies. consistent dissension the following at domicile hurts our troops' morale and encourages out enemies to carry out longer. this is the lesson of Vietnam. Our troops gained especially a lot each conflict although the enemy, inspired by ability of our dissension the following at domicile basically hung on till we lost heart. when we deliver them into probability this is our duty to help the mission; no longer to encourage our enemies. *

Answer 8

That's a tactic used by the Republicans to make people be pro war. That's the "either you're with us or against us" mentality that the Bush administration likes to scare people with.

Answer 9

Who said you are "un-patriotic"?

I know when ever I've been in "civil discourse" with someone who i disagree with, we "agree to disagree'.

Politics is a tough topic to discuss, emotions get high.

If you aren't able to discuss without losing your temper, perhaps you've been labeled as someone no one wants to debate.

Answer 10

Because the people who do not support free speech ultimately are the ones who do not support freedom.

Answer 11

The conservatives need you to believe this. That way, you'll go along with most anything they dream up, including an invasion of Iran.