RottenJohnny
Posts: 1677
Joined: 5/5/2006 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Zonie63 I don't know that patriotism is a requirement for anyone, no matter if they're in business or if they're just an ordinary citizen. I think that every citizen has a right to be patriotic or to not be patriotic, depending on his/her own beliefs, experiences, and set of values. Agreed. quote:
However, I've encountered a great many people who have made exhortations to "patriotism" when it comes to supporting militarism and global interventionism - who also overlap with the same factions which support "free trade" and outsourcing. Those who call themselves "patriots" only when it's convenient for them, while throwing patriotism to the four winds when it comes to profits, that doesn't really look too good. It makes one wonder just what is true "patriotism" anymore. I understand what you're saying, Zonie, but doesn't everyone define it differently anyway? Kind of like "Christian", "Liberal", "Conservative", "Master", or "Slave"? Is there any one definition that can be considered "true"? I can only tell you this much...I define my patriotism by looking for appropriate ways to increase and maintain the freedoms of the individual as provided for in our founding documents. For the most part, that means voting for those things I view as reducing the authority of the group or the state over citizens. Take the ACA for example... As far as I'm concerned, if the population wants to regulate the health insurance industry into dust, I could care less. But when it comes to things like the federal mandate to purchase insurance, I'll oppose that until the day I'm dead. In my view, it's a violation of everyone's right to freedom of choice. In other words, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Does that actually make me patriotic? I guess that's up for debate.
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"I find your arguments strewn with gaping defects in logic." - Mr. Spock "Give me liberty or give me death." - Patrick Henry I believe in common sense, not common opinions. - Me
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