Thoughts on the Meaning of Patriotism

While I was meditating on the meaning of American Independence, my mental process jumped a lane, and I started thinking about patriotism. For the past eight years, those in the United States who hate the success, strength, and exceptionalism of this country have desperately made the argument that working to harm this country’s economy and safety is somehow “patriotic.” Their mantra “Dissent is patriotic” became some cover for their opposing common sense safety measures applied in the fight against Islamic terrorism.

Unfortunately, the mantra misconstrues the actions of the Patriots, and therefore, perverts the meaning of Patriotism. The Patriots were not dissidents for the sake of fomenting dissent.

To be a Patriotic United States citizen means to support the ideals and beliefs of the Patriots. So, to be Patriotic, one must be in favor of:

- Representative government
- Maximum independence in all matters
- The smallest possible central government
- A preference for local government over remote or central government
- Personal and national self-reliance
- Defense of your state against invaders, pirates, and thieves of all types
- Low taxes
- Low tariffs
- Low barriers to commerce
- Direct action in support of the above beliefs

Leftists in this country seem to think that direct action in support of their own beliefs alone fully qualifies them to claim the mantle of Patriotism. I would remind them that Benedict Arnold engaged in direct action in support of his beliefs, but none would label the great American traitor “Patriotic”.

Dissent in an of itself is not, and cannot be, Patriotic. It is not the activity that makes one Patriotic; it is belief that motivates the activity that determines whether a person is a Patriot or a traitor, coward, thief, or tyrant.

Pope Pius XI famously said "No one can be, at the same time, a sincere Catholic and a true socialist."

In the same vein I declare: No one can be, at the same time, a sincere Patriot and a supporter of government dependency, higher taxes, government regulatory schemes, gun bans, or surrender in the face of our enemies.

In short, no one can be, at the same time, a sincere Patriot and a modern American Democrat.