First of all, what is a patriot? A patriot is a person who is proud of the country that they are a member of and who wants what is best for the people in the country and the country. A simple statement, and yet, people may disagree with what it means. I can say for sure what it is not.
It is not repeating empty totem-worshiping phrases. The Pledge of Allegiance, American exceptionalism, wearing a lapel flag, flying the flag, etc., are especially important on national holidays. Everyday, though, they become a way of cutting off discussion and of focusing on the wrong thing.
An old proverb that everyone agrees with and not many listen to is: “The symbol is not the thing.”
Why do we pledge allegiance to the flag? The country is more important and the people living in it matter. The flag is a totem that represents the whole country.
Why do we talk about American exceptionalism? Because then we don’t have to look at other countries with a higher standard of living, a lower infant/child death rate, better health care, etc. Instead we can depend on American exceptionalism to be an excuse for everything inadequate.
Why do we insist that the lapel flag be worn? Is it because that symbol indicates that the person is a patriot? How can a 50-cent piece of crap enforce patriotism in a person?
Why do some people fly the flag everyday? (Not post offices, schools, and other government establishments) Because those simply don’t want to see the problems the country has and don’t want to discuss them.
I could go on about the useless of symbols where they don’t belong. Notice that I am not talking about flying the flag or those speeches that use hyperbole about the country on national holidays. They are incredibly important. We just don’t need that hyperbole every day and especially when we are discussing problems that the country has.
A patriot takes the good with the bad. Yes, this country has done some fabulous things. It has also done some terrible things. The patriot who takes it all and still loves their country knows what it means to love the country. The patriot who accepts only the fabulous things and denies the terrible things–well, he loves half the country and enyoys his ignorance of the rest of its history.
Charity cannot take the place of government support. Giving 10 cents of the cost of breakfast cereal is not going to feed every poor child. Charities that help veterans (when they are legitimate charities) cannot collect enough money to help all the veterans who need help. Charities will not fix out highways or sidewalks or schools.
It becomes a matter of pride to take care of one’s own. Every American should be clothed, housed, fed, given health care as a right. That is caring about this country and its people. Republicans, unfortunately, feel that flying flags, wearing pins, and blathering on about exceptionalism is pride and patriotism.