Our Founders
The Founders of the United States were enlightenment age thinkers with a commitment to a set of principles. These people were intellectuals, often scientists, who wrote down a creed that defines us as a nation. They were the original patriots of this country.
Values
The country's history and its creation in revolution against a distant monarchy shaped our core values.
Diversity–
Immigrants came here for many reasons from economic refugees to religious radicals fleeing persecution (the pilgrims). Diversity is the foundation of our shared culture.
Democracy–
The entire structure of our government is organized around preventing and individual or small group from taking complete power.
Freedom–
The freedom to say, think, believe, speak, worship (or not) as you want, sit at the core of our national values. It is not by chance that this protected in the first amendment.
Responsibility–
Along with our many rights come some responsibilities to vote, pay taxes, serve on juries, and stand up to tyranny here and abroad.
Preserving our values takes courage
The Home of the Brave
In our national anthem we proclaim our country to be "the land of the free and the home of the brave." The people who worked and fought to create this nation were brave indeed. They put their lives on the line with the very high probability of being executed as traitors to the crown.
For most of us today, standing up for our core beliefs and principles requires far less courage. We can accept new immigrants and different lifestyles at virtually no risk to ourselves. The odds of dying for these convictions is incredibly remote even when compared to other unlikely dangers like lightening strike or a toddler with a gun.
We need to find it within ourselves to reclaim the courage to stand up for our core values even if there is some risk, or just if there is mild discomfort. It is the least we owe to those who came before us with such strength of character, and those who will follow us and judge us by our actions.
Patriotism can be big hearted and open minded.
Take back patriotism
The word patriot has been appropriated by many who are in opposition to this country's core values. They don't actually believe in freedom for anyone other than themselves and their group. They don't believe that others deserve to come to this country, despite the fact that they were accepted as immigrants. They proclaim bravery but yet support policies of cowardice, hoping to trade liberty and integrity for a crumb of security. You even see people claiming to be patriots while driving cars flying the confederate battle flag.
It is important that people who full heartedly embrace our founding principles, who believe in our freedoms, who embrace the enlightenment and free thought, and who have the courage of their convictions, to take the proud mantle of patriot upon themselves.
Many liberals have become ashamed of this country and hesitate to fly the flag and shout their love of this nation. That must change.
I love this country. I love what it stands for and the power of its creed. I love this country enough to demand that it do better and become what it has the potential to be. I am a patriot.
Please join me in taking back patriotism now!
Ready to be a patriot?
Stand and
—
be counted
