The Modern-Day Patriot

No, she doesn't have an American flag sewn on like a cape.  He doesn't break out in random bouts of the Star Spangled Banner.  There is no fanfare played when she walks into the room.  He doesn't trot along to the tune of Yankee Doodle Dandy.  Red, white, and blue glitter does not lace every word that comes out of her mouth.

He's intelligent.  Well-versed.  Votes in every election.  She has actually written (using pen and paper, envelope and stamp) to her Congressmen.  She can tell you about current issues.  He knows that our forefathers were not the ones to abolish slavery, and that Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address.  Who am I describing?

The modern-day Patriot.

This post is the second in a series I started last week regarding patriotism.  You can read the first post here.  To be patriotic does not require one to quote the Preamble to the Constitution, nor does it mean that "USofA" is every third word coming out of your mouth.  It means that you pay attention to what's happening.  You don't buy into the "birther" crap.  You aren't afraid to say "I'm an American."  You understand that your country isn't perfect (really, what country is?), but it's a pretty darn good place to be.

Sure, maybe you didn't vote for Obama.  But you know what?  He's your President too.  He doesn't just lead the ones that voted for him.  He leads us all.  He has to listen to the Republicans and the Democrats.  One decision may have been suggested by the Republicans, but that doesn't mean it doesn't apply to the Democrats as well.  And the same with the Democrat-backed proposals.  Why all of the Obama-bashing?  Like it or not, he is President of the United States.  So why not suck it up and say, "You know what, Mr. President?  Even though I didn't vote for you and I probably won't vote for you in the next election, I'm going to stand behind you while you're in office.  I believe in this country, and I believe that we can make it the best place on Earth.  So cheers to you, Mr. President!  I will make known my opinions and what I'd like to see happen while you're in office so you can have as much knowledge of what the American People want while you're in office!"

Stand up!  Set an example!  Be an active American!!  Patriotism has to do with loving your country, so naturally you should do whatever is in the best interest of your country, and if that means jumping on board and supporting those in office while they're there, so be it.

Does Patriotism still exist?

"...and I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free..."

Have you ever heard that song?  Have you ever sung it?  Furthermore, are you proud to be an American?  Do you know you're free?  

Do you love your country?  Are you devoted to it?  What happened to people who proudly stand up and say "I'm from the United States of America, the greatest country on Earth!"  I recently spent a year abroad, and until I was away from the United States for a while, I admit that I didn't really want too many people to know that I'm an American.  Why?  I don't really have an answer.  I guess it's because I hadn't really seen too much of my country that made me proud, that caused an uprising from within me that wanted to wear red, white, and blue everywhere I went.  But you know, there are a lot of things we have in America that don't exist elsewhere.  I know I criticize our government a lot.  And I know there are a lot of things that could use some improvement.  But I honestly think that if more people were proud of their country, they would do everything in their power to truly make it the "greatest country on Earth."  

Let's use an analogy.  Think of a small child, maybe six years old, who has just gone to the dentist and received a sticker for his good behavior.  He will wear that sticker with pride all day and make sure that everybody sees it!  He will proudly say, "I was a good boy at the dentist!"  And he will do everything within his power to preserve that sticker, to make sure it is still shiny and clean.  

You see, if you aren't proud of something, then you won't mind letting it go to waste.  Which is what seems to be happening to our country.  Our early principles, like "liberty and justice for all," have been forgotten, and personal agendas and financial gain have taken precedence.  Such a shame.  We mustn't allow money-hungry "politicians" decide what happens to our people; we should live up to our democratic ideals and let our voice be heard!  Being American isn't a bad thing; it is what you make it!  Let's make this country an amazing place again!