I remember having a talk with a vet friend about this very subject. We both mused that it feels like having a fucking funeral for a deeply flawed creature that we nonetheless loved very much, and that is now shuffling around like a grotesque, insect-ridden meat puppet.
So, has anyone actually read the 1,000+ pages of the Big Bill?
Because if you did, I promise you wouldn’t be celebrating a time America gained her independence knowing that our government is about to rewrite history just so they can have a big old tax break with the blood of Americans on their hands. Democracy was a nice 250-year project while she lasted, but she’s at her end now thanks to the greed of a few, it appears.
This is the result of the Republican party, starting at least with the Bush neocons, weaponizing patriotism to be a way to slander their critics, and to publicly demonstrate their allegiance to the conservative movement.
After a couple decades now of conservative pundits and politicians responding to criticism by implying their opponents don’t love America as much as they do, or even trying to stifle conversation by demanding everyone profess their love of America on the spot, I think everyone else is pretty sick and tired of the flags and pins and stars-and-stripes punisher tee shirts.
“We love America just as much as they do. But in a different way. You see, they love America like a 4-year-old loves his mommy. Liberals love America like grown-ups. To a 4-year-old, everything Mommy does is wonderful and anyone who criticizes Mommy is bad. Grown-up love means actually understanding what you love, taking the good with the bad and helping your loved one grow.”
-Al Franken
Yes, I think of his discussion about REAL patriotism all the time. I’ve had that ingrained in my since I was a child by my hippie parents. I freaking love this place. But it doesn’t come without a LOT of qualifiers.
And Taco and the qons are actively ruining it.
The word “proud” implies I had something to do with it. I’m glad to be part of the social experiment, by virtue of being born here. Lots of things to like, most especially the promise in the founding documents and the direction that America was going towards over the years, but that the cons work to thwart at every turn.
And I’m alarmed at the direction that Taco is taking us in. Biden had a great economy, and a return to normalcy at the helm. Taco is working to destroy the economy and remove every single norm and dismantle the rule of law. Nothing to be “proud” of in any of that…
Can confirm. Proud of my state (California) but almost zero pride left for my country. Trying to figure out if I should flee the continent or start building guillotines.
Same, minus the state pride (Georgia).
Still got Atlanta at least? (Moved to Washington from GA a few years back)
In order to feel patriotic you’ll have to have failed history.
What did we expect? Government is looking out for itself or anyone big enough to pay for a seat at the table.
Republicans appear to be driven by hate and ignorance of the things they do
Democrats appear to do nothing for the people either.
We have lost faith in the courts ability to stand up for the rule of law. Sure we protest. Yell at our elected officials but at the end of the day it seems like we keep picking the worst thing and diving head first.
I know I’m projecting a bit here but it’s so exhausting to keep up and it wears us out
Sure keep voting for what you want and what not. Doesn’t help with it’s red vs blue and both sides are a shit sandwich and the only choice for sides are bigotry or compliances.
Hopefully that sick overnationalism gets down to a sane level like it is in most civilzed countries. Imagine no adoring the flag and pledges of allegiances like one normally only sees in fascist dictatorships.
Californian first.
I could have told you that without a poll. What a joke
