A question for patriotic Americans...?

Question

This is for patriotic Americans - have you ever openly questioned or disagreed with a move your government has made? If so - what?

A question to anyone - why is it that questioning or disagreeing with those in power is seen as unpatriotic?

Answer 1

Depends on one's point of view.

I believe that patriotism is acknowledging both the greatness of one's society as well as its short-comings, and working to resolve those short-comings.

Some believe that being a chauvinist is patriotism - "My country, right or wrong!" "Love it or leave it!" Just a couple of examples.

Some think that waving the flag is patriotism. They do nothing else and do not look beyond that - being right in their minds is enough.

Answer 2

Yes! I disagreed openly and protested the NAFTA agreement. Your second question: It is viewed as somewhat unpatriotic when people in the media constantly undermine what seems right in America. Not the government, but just what is going on that's right. The government may not be right to send troops to Iraq, but please don't undermine the troops going there. You have a right to do that, but some people feel that is highly unpatriotic to support our enemy.
I think it's Patriotic in itself to speak out against any political decisions or actions by the Government that you do not agree with. I think you are confusing a Patriot with a Facist. Not to insult you or anthing, there are some similarities. But an American Patriot the way I see it believes in the U.S. Constitution which supports freedom of speech. The purpose of freedom of speech was so that Patriots could protest against actions by a corrupt government. Personally I feel that I am a Patriot, and there is a huge list of things that the government does that I am against. But also a an Anti-American Communist would also disagree with things that our government would do. So perhaps the Anti-American would like to call us Patriots Facists. Some Patriots I agree seem to have facist tendencies, and seem to have forgotton about what the founding fathers meant this country to be.

Answer 3

You make an execellent point! Exercising freedom of speech by questioning and criticizing the government is patriotic

"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." - George Washington

"A decent and manly examination of the acts of the Government should be not only tolerated, but encouraged." - William Henrey Harrison

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." - Theodore Roosevelt

Answer 4

Questioning or disagreeing with your government is a right granted to you by the Constitution of the United States of America. While your viewpoint or opinion might not be considered "popular", there are plenty of people that have given their very lives for your right to express it. So, in essence; you are being very patriotic by using your rights but you must also consider that with rights comes responsibility too......

Answer 5

Patriotism is the devoted love, support, and defense of one's country, not necessarily it's specific government.
As a Patriotic American, I love America. That doesn't mean I can't, or shouldn't, question America's government. It is our duty as patriots to keep our government in check.

Answer 6

o yeah all the time. no government is perfect but i will support my country til the day i die. and its not really viewed as unpatriotic in america at least not in california lol

- i cant really think of an example at the moment tho sry.

Answer 7

Not so long ago, people fought and died so that we could vote.

Many people do not exercize this right.

I think that if you vote, then you can say what you want about your government.

The people who do not vote don't really have much right to say anything.