2008 Year in Review

Patriotism

Are Americans the most patriotic people on the planet? There seems to be some anecdotal evidence that this may be so.

I've asked myself this question often because it has always seemed to me that during my travels overseas no other people have the same fervor or garish display of loyalty or nationalism as I see displayed here in the USA. Now everyone is proud to be whatever they are, with the possible exception of some ethnic minorities within certain societies, but then they are proud to be part of their own ethnic group. Everyone seems to honor their national heroes, especially their warriors, and know the basics of their history and words to their national anthem. And, it seems, that most people feel that they and their group, tribe or nation are superior to almost everyone else in at least a small way if not in all matters.

Americans, on the other hand, take things to a whole different level. Our symbol, the flag, is held in almost religious reverence. Everyone wants their flag respected, but we have a whole liturgy on how to handle, fold, present and care for our flag that is beyond the norm. Likewise, the current, much discussed debate is the need to not only display your flag proudly, but to wear a flag lapel pin to prove that you are a patriotic American. According to some you need to be a member of the armed services or a policeman or a fireman to be patriotic. Granted these people are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow men, but what about highway construction workers, commercial fishermen, lumberjacks, pilots, etc. who have dangerous jobs?

I have a theory that we do these things and think these ways because of the relative youth of our nation. We threw off our national allegiance to Great Britain and the Crown and had to replace it with something else, and what better than a symbol. In many counties of the world it is a legal requirement that you have on display a picture of the president, prime minister, king, or whoever the head honcho is. I think this is a reminder to the citizens that their loyalty is to one person and he or she will take care of everyone else by default. This is definitely not the American way.

We are a nation of immigrants, so we had to find strength in diversity as opposed to ethnic purity. We are justly proud of our accomplishments, but we haven't always been the number one super power and we will not be so forever. In fact, patriotism, has no justification in being right or the best or the biggest or anything compared to other peoples. We are patriots if we want to help others - starting with those who are closest to us. That diversity thing means we all have different opinions including different ideas of patriotism. On the other hand, saying the pledge of allegiance in Spanish seems to be un-American.

I think service in the armed forces is considered patriotic because it would be very hard to raise an army (or other military service) in a society that really believe the Christian tenet: "blessed are the peacemakers." In fact most peace advocates are considered a little crazy and are, at best, tolerated.

Let me suggest that a patriot is not a person who wears a flag pin or decorates his vehicle with ribbons and flags and patriotic bumper stickers, but someone who votes. In this regard most Americans are not very patriotic.

by Marc Adami, Guest Columnist
July 8, 2008