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Apparently conservatives simply don't possess the nimbleness of mind to recognize that this isn't thread to debate the values or lack thereof of patriotism, but rather to point out the bloody obvious that such issues as outsourcing, skirting trade restrictions to "enemy countries" and simply outward manifestations that regardless of political persuasion, Patriotismâ„¢ is but a mere sentiment for a growing class of international capitalist, REGARDLESS OF THE NATION OF THEIR BIRTH. In other words, this isn't about Americans, Germans, Chinese or Italians because some folks those adjectives are meaningless.!!!!
I think you've raised an interesting point. What are the roots of patriotism? How does the love for one's home country get planted and nurtured? I think the central point you are making about the rich is that the mobility they have, the choices, gives them an opportunity of seeing what other countries have to offer, an opportunity many of us don't have. The opportunity to see what other countries have to offer is also an opportunity to see what other countries lack, though.
I think there is a distinction that has to be made between nationalism and patriotism. Love for one's country (patriotism) does not have to be blind or uninformed. I think the real threat to patriotism that underlies your position is that there is a lack of identity, that rich people are raising their children as global citizens rather than as American or British or French or Chinese citizens. And so, perhaps, you wanted a discussion of what is lost when people don't have a loyalty to one nation, but instead see themselves as separate from any national identity?
Those are trappings of patriotism, but they don't have a whole lot to do with what our founding fathers fought for. Real patriotism is fighting for self governance and freedom. We've wrapped ourselves in the flag and sung the national anthem while we handed political control of this country over to multi-national corporations. The questions is--are we waking up in time to take it back?
Old Glory and the National Anthem are more than "trappings". They remind me of the blood and tears that were shed during all our wars so that everyone can have the freedoms that we enjoy every day.
Granted,...there are problems in this nation, but most of those problems are worldwide. If one listens to the liberals, one might think that this country has caused all the world tension as well as the world's economic problems. America is not faultless, but it is still the best nation on the face of the Earth, and our poorest are light years ahead of other nations' poor.
I find it ironic that liberals always resort to economic/class warfare to attack patriotism. The two are not mutually exclusive.
I have no dislike of Patriotism, but the things about how you have to remove your hat or whatever, that's ridiculous. It's a meaningless gesture, unless you want it to be one. It in and of itself means nothing. It doesn't make you a bigger patriot, and it doesn't make the person who leaves their hat on any less of one...
There are things called "tradition" and "respect". Calling tradition "ridiculous" doesn't make it so. Standing while the National Anthem is played is a gesture of RESPECT for our nation. Respect for our nation is in short supply in the land of liberalism.
Patriotism is not one-upsmanship. Patriotism is personal. Whether you agree or disagree with ones actions is immaterial.
Patriotism is just hollow symbols, slogans and gestures. Something for the emotions.
It is an adherence to a principal to which the country was established. Individual liberty, freedom, and justice.
While a country may change due to its corruption, allegiance to those principals to which the country stands (notice that the pledge of allegiance is not to the country, but to the principals for which the country stood) or stood is that of a patriot and one who is of such will fight to protect it.
There is nothing hollow about respecting such principals.
Patriotism is just hollow symbols, slogans and gestures. Something for the emotions.
Yep,....patriotism is an emotional response based upon respect for, and knowledge of ones country. No one is demanding that ANYONE be patriotic,.....just leave me to hell alone while I show my respect for this country.
It is an adherence to a principal to which the country was established. Individual liberty, freedom, and justice.
While a country may change due to its corruption, allegiance to those principals to which the country stands (notice that the pledge of allegiance is not to the country, but to the principals for which the country stood) or stood is that of a patriot and one who is of such will fight to protect it.
There is nothing hollow about respecting such principals.
There are no principles, except might makes right.
The flag is a symbol. The pledge is a slogan. Removing hats for the flag is a gesture.
Patriotism is used to cultivate conformity, galvanize against common enemies (as determined by those in power), and to accuse those who don't march along in lock step as being unpatriotic.
Who can differentiate patriotism from nationalism?
The collectivism of Marxism/Communism is what is really for suckers.
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