America the land of the ?

[Jordan]

Ain't it the truth. How many natural born americans could pass the exams to become a citizen of this country? a sparse few! myself included. I am in my fifties and was lucky enough to be taught our history even though I am still finding out how watered down it was. I watched a show the other day and was absolutely amazed at the biblical roots the founding fathers were inflenced by, in the formation of this country, that by not teaching it has been hidden from us. Never been to D.C. but apparently our national monuments are overflowing with these references by inscriptions and the museums and libraries are full of documents that most never see.

[Ian]

Ain't it the truth. How many natural born americans could pass the exams to become a citizen of this country? a sparse few!

Jordan, I hate to break it to you but the citizenship exam was ridiculously easy. When I first applied, I was given a reading list of books deaing with history, government and geography. I studied like a maniac for weeks until I could answer every one of the hundreds of sample questions perfectly. When the time came to take the test, I remember the first question was 'what are the colors of the flag?', and how many 'original states were there?' On the last question, I made the mistake of saying "there were 13 original colonies". The examiner said "of course you'd say colonies since you're British" (but he gave me the point anyway) LOL

[Jordan]

LOL, they must have changed the tests since I learned about them way back in high school. I was just thinking about some of those people Jay Leno interviews on the streets, some of those answers are hilarious, bet some of them couldn't find a hole in the ground if they fell in it.

[Raven]

You think you have it bad? In England patriotism is a dirty word associated with extreme right-wing movements. Flying the Union Flag is seen as disruptive and the flag of England is just something the soccer fans put out when the World Cup is on.

[esantoro]

There is another aspect to patriotism that is willing to take a critical look at the country and recognize its shortcomings. I've spent several years in and around Europe. Every time I traveled it was long and slow on ferries, trains, and buses. You get to see a place that way. When I returned to the U.S., I did the same on Greyhound and Amtrak.

What I experienced is that Europeans identify with their country -- the land, the culture -- much more than Americans do with their own land and culture. To me, the patriotism we tend to see here in America isn't so much about the country but about an ability and a desire to cut ourselves off from any kind of connection to and responsibility for the community, a misguided sense of freedom. What I see that tries to pass for patriotism is narcissism. The most patriotic Americans I know never talk about patriotism but feel a connection to the community -- a connection that isn't trotted out predictably on cue once or twice a year for superficial display -- and they know how much that sense of community has been deliberately eroded in the last forty years.

U.S. history is dumbed down on both sides of the political spectrum. The very same type of people responsible for current large-scale financial mismanagement were the ones who benefited the most by breaking from British Rule. Two-thirds of those who fought against the crown stood nothing to gain. Their lot was the same under either rule and always has been. Thomas Paine was a show piece propaganda tool to rally popular support for the war. The founding fathers in no way wanted Paine's version of democracy, but they found his rhetoric useful and effective. Today we are still that same America.

Edited July 7, 2009 by esantoro

[jbird]

The facts remain that all the founding fathers were set on a new way of freedom

and better way of life for all, how ever freedom dosent mean freedom from good living and good hard work,

but today the Constitution hangs by a thread and the good old USA is not peopled by those who love there Flag And there sworn duties as Americans.

[esantoro]

The United States for the last three decades has had predominantly conservative leadership in both parties who have all but destroyed the Constitution for personal economic gains and economic gains of an industrial class. This class has not worked harder over the last forty years; it has enacted laws and deregulation to work in its favor. It is this class that loves the flag waving, as it so easily diverts attention from their own unpatriotic behavior and actions.

Jefferson saw these contradictions in the early workings of America when he wrote "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever."

The facts remain that all the founding fathers were set on a new way of freedom

and better way of life for all, how ever freedom dosent mean freedom from good living and good hard work,

but today the Constitution hangs by a thread and the good old USA is not peopled by those who love there Flag And there sworn duties as Americans.

[Jordan]

Speaking of traveling here's a story I cam across the other day under the title "You could have heard a pin drop"

Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.

At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his

carry on. “You have been to France before, monsieur?”

the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he

had been to France previously. “Then you should know enough to

have your passport ready.” The American said, “The last time I was

here, I didn't have to show it.” “Impossible. Americans always

have to show their passports on arrival in France!”

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look.

Then he quietly explained, “Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach

on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single

Frenchmen to show a passport to.”

. . . You could have heard a pin drop.

[Regis]

Ed,

I think you missed it there. A conservative president (8 years) and very liberal house and senate (including the few years that "so called" conservative party was in charge). Congressmen threatening lenders to provide loans to unqualified borrowers and then blaming the lenders. Congress now selling access to keep certain car dealerships open. It's a group of gansters in DC now and has been getting worse for years with only a scattering of patriotic constitutionalists over the last 20+ years. Even the liberal John Kennedy would not stand a chance these days for being too conservative.

It is so refreshing to see that patriotism of the American people from Boston to the heartland on July 4th. I don't understand how we as a grassroots patriotic people deserve what is in Washington (both parties).

BTW - I spent 7 years in europe and appreciate the national pride & community spirit most had at that time (1960's).

Regis

The United States for the last three decades has had predominantly conservative leadership in both parties who have all but destroyed the Constitution for personal economic gains and economic gains of an industrial class. This class has not worked harder over the last forty years; it has enacted laws and deregulation to work in its favor. It is this class that loves the flag waving, as it so easily diverts attention from their own unpatriotic behavior and actions.

Jefferson saw these contradictions in the early workings of America when he wrote "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever."

Edited July 7, 2009 by Regis

[Ian]

Personally, I'm sick to death of the liberal vs. conservative crap. We are expected to choose one side or the other with nothing in between. Both sides will bend over backwards to excuse their own behaviour while pointing fingers at the same behaviour from the other side.

If anyone thinks that the conservative movement is the movement of the rich, how do they explain the FACT that the wealthiest states (in terms of per-capita income) are liberal - California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York. And how surprising that these are the states on the verge of bancruptcy brought about by their policies. And, strangely have the highest tax rates in the nation. Whereas Texas, without a state income tax created more jobs in the past 5 years than all other states combined - and not through socialist stimulous packages.

Just as Cheney was crucified for his association with Haliburton (never mind that Clinton gave contacts to Haliburton for all of his own conflicts), Obama's election was bought by General Electric, whose mouth piece NBC ripped the flesh from Obama's opponents - and, oh, what a surprize that the CEO of GE is on the team of economic advisors now, and, the new lighbulbs we will be mandated to use will be made by....well, GE, as well as the components of the windmills that will soon cover our landscapes. Does anyone with any intellegence see that the parties are bought?

Personally, I don't care who the h--- marries who, and certainly have no control over how many kids of flushed down the drain so their mothers can continue their behaviour. But, I DO care that our country is being turned into a dependant bunch of losers, so their votes can be bought.

The idiots (of both parties) have be legislating and regulating and piling on taxes and fees for as long as there has been a country. The kids of today have half of the freedom we had at their age and I shudder to think what restrictions their children will live under. All the while, the dummies think they are gaining in freedom because it is easier to smoke some weed. For all their hopes and dreams of legal drugs (which, by the way, I'm one person who believes that I have the right to ingest anything I choose [although I don't even drink]), I laugh to think that the brainwashed masses cheering their pied piper will be paying 75% of their incomes in taxes within 15 years.

So...I'd rather waste my vote and vote Libertarian than join the puppet brigade and vote for the sanctioned parties. At least that way, I can keep the dream alive that one day we'll have the freedom our forefathers came here for. And, for anyone who thinks the flag fyling from my porch is a shallow display of meaningless patriotism, well what I have to say to you will probably get me kicked of the board for good.