Does Patriotism Matter?

[Terri]

By Thomas Sowell
July 2, 2008

The Fourth of July is a patriotic holiday but patriotism has long been viewed with suspicion or disdain by many of the intelligentsia. As far back as 1793, prominent British writer William Godwin called patriotism "high-sounding nonsense."

Internationalism has long been a competitor with patriotism, especially among the intelligentsia. H.G. Wells advocated replacing the idea of duty to one's country with "the idea of cosmopolitan duty."

Perhaps nowhere was patriotism so downplayed or deplored than among intellectuals in the Western democracies in the two decades after the horrors of the First World War, fought under various nations' banners of patriotism.

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[visions5251]

God, why is that question even being asked? Does it really deserve an answer?

When did we begin to question loyalty to our country? When did it begin to not matter that we are citizens of America first!

I am saddened that such an article needs to be written, such a question even needs to be asked. But in these times, it needs to be asked to those who may be a little "confused."

Where exactly do your life's most important loyalties lie? In the money you make, in your status, in your causes that further your particular group's interests only?

Unless you have America with INTACT personal freedoms, you will have none of the above, and much, much, more, --- that you hold dear.

Of course, patriotism matters, and not just for honoring those before us, not just for some traditional ideals of loyalty, but rather for your very SURVIVAL.

Unless we begin to unite in one deserved love for our country, we will not defend her, protect her from the elite who wish to destroy her for greed's sake, or care if she becomes swallowed up with a third world country.

It is way past time for apathy towards America to cease, it is time to be proud, despite her faults, and agree once again that "we the people" (at least) live in the greatest country on earth.

I still believe in America, I believe she can be saved, I believe she deserves to be healed from within.

So yes, patriotism DOES matter, or it better, to those asleep, with priorities confused, before it's too late.

[THelsel]

HOOAH!!!! Visions. Your comments are right on.

[Vozzie]

Let me play Devil's Advocate.

What is the difference between a citizen of America and citizen from South Africa? Do they both not look similar, bleed the same, have the same pains, loves and desires?

I will also disavow the Internationalism for a better term, Humanitism. These would be the people that call all humans brother/sister and would reach out to help them if they needed help.

Countries and the division of land is a creation of man and subject to the interpretations and whims of other men. But a person is a person regardless of which flag flies over their head. We've been taught through various religious and moral ethic codes to render assistance to those in need.

So why fight for a piece of land when you can do more for more people by fighting for other people.

Now to switch hats. Why should we have Patriotism?

Patriotism, to me, is an understanding and sympathy for a system of ideas and laws that govern a society and the desire to take action to nuture it, protect it and to see it grow where they are located.

We, as Conservatives, recognize and support the original designs and plans that the Founders laid down for the United States of America.

Within those ideas we are trying to create a Golden society that will be the example for the future and we have been successful. Millions of people have flocked to the ideas and land that our Predecessors put forth.

However, with this progress we still need to maintain some controls and that is where we get the conflicts. The society cannot change as fast as the people living within and thus controls are placed to limit the numbers of people coming or leaving the society and what they have done in their lives. The Patriots see themselves as caretakers and guardians of their society.

Whew! That is long-winded and I still think it is unfinished but I will post it now to get some of the feedback and propable arguments.

[TruckinJarhead]

Well said, visions. We (the patriots) are required to be good stewards of the greatest country that has ever graced the surface of this planet. We (the patriots) WILL prevail.

[schillerbjr]

Great article by Thomas Sowell. And, of course,
Patriotism does matter!!

[candles]

Of course, patriotism matters, and not just for honoring those before us, not just for some traditional ideals of loyalty, but rather for your very SURVIVAL.

Well stated.

[KatyJ]

Patriotism does matter. It is up to us in help defend our country from those who want to see us destroyed.

[George123]

The winds have shifted in the U.S. Kooks like Code Pink, Move On, Jeremiah Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Hussein are trying to redefine the word "Patriotism". And they are succeeding.

These people will sell us out.

Their motto is: Better Red Than Dead.

They truly disgust me.

I don't consider them Americans.

It's too bad we can't ship these moonbats to the moon.

[Luckyme]

If by some means we were able to pick America up and place it anywhere on the world's surface, it would still be America.

Patriotism isn't about land, it's about a way of life. It's about culture, society, and in America, our freedom to attain the highest levels in our society if we work hard enough and a bit of luck smiles on us.

I love America because to me, it's the closest thing to Heaven here on earth.

I understand peoples of other countries feel the same way about their countries. I don't see that as a bad thing because it helps to maintain cultures and traditions.

As Thomas Sowell so rightly pointed out, it also gives us the will to fight for our way of life against overwhelming odds.

Without patriotism, we'd probably feel we could just move somewhere else and assimulate into that society.

Ummmmm, isn't that just what many of the liberals do that lack a sense of patriotism? How many of our Hollywood liberals now live at least part of the year, overseas?