"The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher plain."I do not believe the definition of patriotism is the unquestioning loyalty and submission to government. In fact, this may be the opposite of patriotism. The founding generation were loyal to the people of the colonies and risked their lives to oppose an unjust and tyrannical government structure. Power truly does corrupt as Lord Acton rightly stated, and the patriotism of the colonists rebelled against corruption of the imperial power that had ruled the affairs of men for hundreds of years.
George McGovern
“The accumulation of all powers legislative, executive and judiciary in the same hands, whether of one, a few or many, and whether hereditary, self appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”The founders understood the true nature of patriotism. They risked their lives, treasure and sacred honor in service to it. But this patriotism did not seek to replace one ruling class with another. They saw government only as a necessary evil, as James Madison said, "if men were angels, no government would be necessary." They purposefully designed a limited and decentralized structure of government to avoid the the tyranny that too much power can bring. They knew that the people who would seek office themselves would not be angels. Indeed, Thomas Jefferson stated that, "The way to have a safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many, distributing to every one exactly the function he is competent to [perform best]. Let the national government be entrusted with the defense of the nation, and its foreign and federal relations; the State governments with civil rights, laws, police and administration of what concerns the State generally; the counties with local concerns of the counties, and each ward [township] direct the interests within itself. It is by dividing and subdividing these republics, from the great national one down through all of its subordinates, until it ends in the administration of every man's farm by himself; by placing under every one what his own eye may superintend, that all will be done for the best."
James Madison; Federalist No. 47
"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."
George Washington
Many who seek power, though, often attempt to pervert patriotism by arousing strong emotional allegiances to a cause for which they claim leadership. This can be a movement such as Communism with their call for "Workers of the World, Unite," or nationalism that calls every citizen to rally to the flag. Nationalistic fervor has undoubtedly caused more death and destruction than any other force in the history of man, especially in the 20th century where millions of patriotic soldiers marched under the flags of Nazi Germany, The Soviet Union, Red China, Fascist Italy, or Imperial Japan...all killing and dying to prop up corrupt and evil central rulers and regimes while being told it was for the Father Land, Mother Land, their country or their honor. Patriotism, when corrupted to such causes can be a powerful source of evil.
Even in the United States of America, government often seeks to control us with appeals to patriotism. We are to march unquestioning to war because the President declares it is in our national interest to do so. We have been told that fighting in the frozen mountains of Korea or the rain soaked jungles of Viet Nam were somehow protecting our freedom and American way of life here at home. If you question this logic or the motives of the government, you are labeled a traitor, a radical, or worse. We are not to question the actions of our wise leaders, and they can just claim national security concerns to avoid any uncomfortable queries.
Even in politics, the parties seek to wrap themselves in the flag through their rhetoric, photo-ops, and sound-bites hoping to prove that they are more patriotic in their policies and power grabs than the other guys. Seldom do they appeal to the foundational principals of freedom, truth or justice, but instead attempt to whip up populist passions with partisan attacks that only seek to consolidate and solidify their own power base. Sadly, far too many of our fellow citizens fall for this tactic believing that only a Republican...or a Democrat...or even an Independent can be a "true American." The citizen feels better in their self-righteous alignment with the right party, but their blind faith only further enslaves them to a ruling class who cynically manipulates them for its own purposes.
Even in politics, the parties seek to wrap themselves in the flag through their rhetoric, photo-ops, and sound-bites hoping to prove that they are more patriotic in their policies and power grabs than the other guys. Seldom do they appeal to the foundational principals of freedom, truth or justice, but instead attempt to whip up populist passions with partisan attacks that only seek to consolidate and solidify their own power base. Sadly, far too many of our fellow citizens fall for this tactic believing that only a Republican...or a Democrat...or even an Independent can be a "true American." The citizen feels better in their self-righteous alignment with the right party, but their blind faith only further enslaves them to a ruling class who cynically manipulates them for its own purposes.
"The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse."No, I do not pledge allegiance to a flag as a symbol of nationalism, a corrupt system of bureaucratic inefficiency and waste, or a centralized ruling elite...my allegiance is to the true principles of liberty on which our country was founded and to my countrymen. I believe that patriotism...true patriotism...protects and defends its fellow citizens from threats from enemies, foreign and domestic. It should be based not on slogans, symbols or propaganda, but on principles and deep, abiding truth. It does not elevate any one person, or group above all others, but sees all men as created equal. And, above all, knowing of the ever present danger of corruption, it is ever suspicious of power and vigilant against abuses. Patriotism stands against power when that power stands against the welfare of the people.
James Madison
Our government, as any other government in the world, is not made up of angels. It has become corrupt and abusive. We have failed to protect our liberty against the usurpers and do-gooders alike. It is time to revive our true patriotism to set this right by demanding a return to our founding principles of limited and decentralized government. Only then can our future be secured and freedom be assured. Do not be swayed by false appeals to patriotism which props up the establishment ruling elite, but stand firm on the true principles. This is my definition of patriotism.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
The Declaration of Independence
