Patriotism

I try not to talk politics too often, but the strong feelings this election cycle arouse in me are hard to suppress.

I am fairly vested in this election, if only because I have been reading every election-related article published since late August (before that, I followed the Clinton-Obama drama, but not as closely). And perhaps because I think the road before us diverges wildly between the two candidates.

As evident from my past posts, I am very much an Obama supporter, and am unbelievably frustrated by the tactless, gimmicky, and I would argue often fraudulent campaign that McCain runs. Adding to the normal hypocrisies found on both sides of politics is the problem that McCain is someone who acts as though Honor is something he exclusively owns in this election. I was upset with the Palin pick due to her positions, narrow mindedness, her lack of experience and knowledge, and--worse-- her lack of humility at this last fault. Adding insult to injury is the completely transparent use of her for political McCain's gain (not only to pander to the ultra conservatives and women, but also to pick someone who they so obviously expect to embody the "criticisms" the McCain camp had for Obama-- aka traits they felt they lacked).

But I was distracted, perhaps as planned, by my dislike of the VP pick and McCain's little games. Although I still believe it is important due to McCain's health and age, it is less about Palin's ignorance and hypocrisy than it is about the GOP itself. She will be their puppet.

It is hard for me to accept how many Americans support McCain-Palin.

First of all, while I support the idea of having choices among political ideologies, I have many issues with the conservative brand. For example, a much-loved issue is abortion. I could tell myself, well, it's understandable that people will have differing views on this. And I think that is true. However, the difference is when these viewpoints are carried into politics and policy, one imposes their beliefs on everybody, whereas the other lets one choose how to believe.

Another issue is the economy. While I can understand that many people will prefer absolute minimal government regulation in the name of working free markets, I think recent events tell us that this is not the way forward. It may sound great in an economic textbook, but I can tell you that "greed," "corruption," "ignorance," and "stupidity" are not variables in the neat economic formulas provided in those pages. Not to mention a host of other unknowns. And for those who could care less about helping those who were "too stupid" to succeed on their own, they fail to recognize that 2) we are NOT all born equal, and 2) improving the welfare of others leads to greater prosperity for all-- and I don't mean just warm fuzzy feelings, I mean wealth and business and stability and safety and all these things that should matter to even the most selfish of people. While over-bearing governmental regulation can stifle growth (and is subject to its own problems), it is by no means as black and white as conservatives seem to believe.

Patriotism

Thinking about how things appear black and white to the conservative world (granted there are exceptions), I came to think about patriotism. "Patriotism" is another issue that conservatives seem to have monopolized as their own. They've got it, apparently we don't. I suppose that that is where this fantasy that the GOP is better at protecting our security comes from-- they love our country and will fight to protect it, liberals clearly do not and will let our country perish in defeat.

The Republican base seem to believe that America is invincible, perfect. They treat our country almost as they treat the god to their religion, and they the pure followers. Against us? You're the devil incarnate. With us? We will see no wrong in you. Black and white. We are without fault, you are without virtue. Case in point: Russia v. Georgia. Pride in ignorance. Outrage at criticism.

The problem is that one's country is NOT like one's god. It is not infallible, blameless, spotless. It is not something that will just keep giving glory, glory, glory, all as long as you believe blindly in it. One can not close their eyes to criticisms of their country and of themselves, simply denouncing critics as freedom-haters, idiots, etc.

America, or any country, is less like one's god and more like one's child. Someone you love unabashedly, but can see room for improvement. Someone you are completely loyal to, but can accept that some things need to be changed. It needs nurturing, proper guidance, and a support base that is rational and open-minded.

Wanting one's country to change the wrongs in its ways... to strengthen its domestic foundations... to always improve on its best attributes... to nurture the respect of and from other rational players... I consider that patriotism.

I am proud to be an American. Even today, in the midst of the domestic and international crises caused by this administration. I'm still glad to be American. I take issue when people have gone so far to the other side of the spectrum that they righteously declare, "America sucks," "I need to move to another country-- a country that does not hate intelligence and rationalism"... all while sitting in their nice homes, full from too much food, and reading books filled with abundant uncensored knowledge. That is also failing to recognize the immense opportunities and freedoms living in America has provided. I can't deny that there have been times where I have felt completely exasperated and angry with the government's domestic and foreign policy, or ridiculed what I felt was the complete ignorance and petty ways of members of the general public. But to denounce America as a country is no way to take care of the home.

I am by no means even close to being an expert on these things... many of my criticisms and observations are faults I sense around me, as well as in me. It's just that when I step back and look at the situation... this is what I think. And maybe today I may be so bold as to say that this country would be a better place if more people felt this way.


I hope that Obama wins this election. I hope for it possibly more than I've hoped for anything else in my life. It's not even so much that I am entranced by his charms, or think that he is, experience-wise, the most qualified candidate... and I disagree with several of his specific positions. It's more that in him I see someone who is better at appreciating all sides of the picture, someone who seeks help when he needs it, someone who is not afraid to seek out people who are actually more intelligent than he is, someone with a moral conviction not tied to blind faith and superiority... someone who loves America as something to care for in an interconnected world, not something to worship in ignorant isolation. And, more importantly, he represents a party who is much closer to these traits than the GOP.

We can brush off a loss as "no big deal, there's 2012!" or we can see it as an absolute tipping point in history. I sometimes wish Obama's campaign platform was, "Save America."