Thank you for returning to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. How have headlines influenced our culture since the 1800s? Also, America’s founding generation had a working definition of “patriotism.” We examine these issues, noting how subtle forces influence us in ways that take us off point from what our country was created to be in the world. Our first article is “Patriotism Defined.” Let’s begin.
How would you define patriotism? I learned long ago to describe it as “love of one’s country.” Defining words in America has become a challenge 🙂 Let’s accept the challenge and dive right in.
In the last few weeks, I’m told the following is UNpatriotic:
-to talk about obesity
-to make a profit
-to take any medical advice that isn’t approved by the powers that be
-to drive a car that I can afford instead of the current trending auto
-to support drilling for 0il
On the converse, I’m being told that the following is patriotic:
-public confrontation any time, any place, anywhere, for any reason
-to support wiping out the 0il industry in 10 years
-to drive an electric car
-to live any way I want, regardless of the consequences
-to go along “with the program” because strangers in authority say it is suitable for me
Do you see the changing way “Patriotism” is defined? Today, it is more agenda-driven and not at all about the love of country. Ambiguous authorities characterize patriotism as power and control of the masses. The goal is a reward for those who comply and punishment for those who don’t.
Think about it. Watch for it. Decide what patriotism means to you. Just for reference, here is the definition of “patriotism” in the language of our American Founders from Webster’s 1828 dictionary:
“Love of one’s country; the passion which aims to serve one’s country, either in defending it from invasion, or protecting its rights and maintaining its laws and institutions in vigor and purity. Patriotism is the characteristic of a good citizen, the noblest passion that animates a man in the character of a citizen.”
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸
