Vicissitudes and Victories

Patriotism

Somebody asked me the other day if I am patriotic. This question helped me ponder my own beliefs and values. I consider myself to be patriotic, but I believe that some other people might not consider me to be a patriot. I believe in and support the United States so long as this nation chooses to pursue that which is good, just, and decent.

I believe that there is such a thing as right and wrong. I do not support the right to an abortion except in cases of rape or incest and where the life of the mother might be endangered. I do not support any non-traditional definition for marriage. I'm not sure I support a war, although waged against a brutal dictator, fought on incorrect pretenses. I do not support withdrawing troops immediately now that we have gotten ourselves into such a mess. We need to stay in Iraq until we can develop stability there and this might take years and years. I cannot support the racist governmental policies that first protected slavery, then segregation, and then internment. I cannot support the imperialist and colonialist policies of America's past and I would not support them in the future. I cannot support corruption, or greed, or perversion of any sort.

I do support the ideals called for in the Declaration of Independence. I believe that everyone deserves the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I believe in government of the people and by the people. I believe in equality of opportunity. I believe in loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. I believe in the golden rule: that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. I believe in feeding the hungry, helping the sick, and strengthening the hands that hang down all around us.

When government supports such ideals, you will not find anyone more patriotic than I. I could die for my country's ideals, but I would rather live for them. Nevertheless, when the government starts to work against that which is good and true, I feel like it is my duty to enumerate the hypocrisies often created between its ideals and practices. I think all of us must vigilantly remember that might doesn't make right. Right makes right and it is everyone's duty to fight for right. Remember this powerful truth from the musical Shenandoah, "If we don't try, then we don't do; and if we don't do, then why are we here?" Real patriotism involves more than passive support or criticism. We must live and fight for what we believe in a way that is consistent with those beliefs. I invite everyone to join me in a new and more powerful type of patriotism; a patriotism of action that will help ensure a better world for us and for our posterity.

posted by Joel @ 10:54 PM