July 4th--What's Your Idea of Patriotism?

Written by: David Reiter on Jul 4, 2008 4:02 PM EDT

232 years ago, the founding fathers of our nation penned the Declaration of Independence, and 11 years later, the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  They clearly laid out what the definition of patriotsim is, and I believe Progressive values stand firm to these tenets.

To me, patriotsism is standing up for what we believe is best for our nation.  It is getting involved in our government however and at whatever level we can.  It is letting our representatives know how we feel about issues so they can best represent us in our government.  It is encouraging those that stand up for our rights and represent what is in our best interest.  It is telling those that are not representing our best interest how we feel, and what they can do to better represent us.  It is having open dialogue and a free exchange of ideas. It is respecting each others opinions no matter how much we may disagree, and having the right to try to change opinions.  It is believing in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and standing against any attempt to dismantle or pervert them.  It is being a good citizen that cares about our communities and respect each others pursuits of happiness.  In wartime, it is supporting our troops, but speaking up to our leaders if we feel it is an unjust war.  It is respecting and acknowledging the brave men and women in the military that swear to protect our nation and what it stands for...the Constitution, and the rule of law that has emanated from it.

Many people seem to think patriotism is about flags, fireworks, parades, or blind faith in government.  It is not.  This is the definition of nationalism, not patriotism--rabid nationalism is the same ideology that led to fascism in Nazi Germany.  I'm not suggesting we are at this extreme here, but I get tired of people saying they are patriotic because they wave a flag.  Don't get me wrong--I love our flag, fireworks, and parades, but blind faith in government or our leaders is the furthest thing from patriotism an American can get. Oh--wearing a flagpin: nothing to do with patriotism.  It is what we stand for and do to make our nation better, not what we wear or display in order to get someone to think something about us. 

Some people on the other side of the aisle like to say, 'if you don't like our country, then leave.'  This kind of statement is the very essence of being 'unpatriotic'. Our Constitution clearly states that it is not only our right, but our duty to change government if we are not happy with it.  Those that make the above statement have absolutely no idea what our nation stands for, or even why they enjoy the right to make that statement.  I was in a conversation with a Republican friend of mine the other day, who made this statement in the middle of a conversation about how we can bring about Universal Health Care.  My knee-jerk response to him was, 'if you don't want to change your government for the better, then you should leave, because blind faith is not patriotism and is not what our nation stands for.'

Okay...so you found out what prompted me to write this article:-)  What does patriotism mean to you?

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