A poll shows only 36% of Democrats say they’re “extremely” or “very” proud to be American, reflecting a dramatic decline in national pride that's also clear among young people.
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.”
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.
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.