Why are Americans so Patriotic?
- Thread starter interspark
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I think it's more to do with the propaganda. Maybe I'm slightl alienated by it abroad as I'm english and, as such, mainly recieve films and entertainment from America. Captain America is a prime example on this, and super heroes in general really. They are an overtly American thing.
Then there's that stuff about the wars.
We helped TOO you know?
Then there's that stuff about the wars.
We helped TOO you know?
You completely missed what the poster was saying. You grossly over generalized a huge number of people. Which in itself is much worse than any silly thoughts that all Americans must validate themselves by forcing their opinions on others. (hmm, that sounds familiar...MLP fans?)VoidWanderer said:
Also, for someone who doesn't approve of people trumpeting like douchebags...your post came off as kind of douchebaggy.
Something I forgot to add in my other post - I'm 31 years old and I'm born and raised in the US. I consider myself typically patriotic. But I'm no fanatic. I didn't pay much attention to politics until I was in my mid 20s. Since then, I've only voted for a president twice and that was because my parents urged me to, even though I didn't like anyone. Not to be overly dramatic or accuse the people themselves as being such, but in my eyes I voted for the "lesser of two evils". Something I've yet to do again.
Upon reflection to that logic later, I discovered something that upset me even more. Notice how I said the lesser of two evils? That's just bullshit. Not because it's a choice between shit #1 or shit #2 - When I think back I only remember 2 or 3 candidates each year. Almost all the votes get tossed at these two people. Why? Two reasons. First, the way media covers candidates means only a select few get any real coverage. Second, people feel if they vote for one of the "nobodies" then they are throwing their vote away and sadly that's exactly what it is.
How many people do you directly know and can name are running for President in 2012 in the US? I live here and I can come up with 5 or 6. But you know what? There are at least 24 people running for President. The fact very people people even know they exist is bullshit. Where were all of them during the televised debates?
The system is flawed because it seems only those with lots of money and media coverage can hope to be elected. And those kinds of people are not at all good representatives of your average every day American.
Upon reflection to that logic later, I discovered something that upset me even more. Notice how I said the lesser of two evils? That's just bullshit. Not because it's a choice between shit #1 or shit #2 - When I think back I only remember 2 or 3 candidates each year. Almost all the votes get tossed at these two people. Why? Two reasons. First, the way media covers candidates means only a select few get any real coverage. Second, people feel if they vote for one of the "nobodies" then they are throwing their vote away and sadly that's exactly what it is.
How many people do you directly know and can name are running for President in 2012 in the US? I live here and I can come up with 5 or 6. But you know what? There are at least 24 people running for President. The fact very people people even know they exist is bullshit. Where were all of them during the televised debates?
The system is flawed because it seems only those with lots of money and media coverage can hope to be elected. And those kinds of people are not at all good representatives of your average every day American.
I'm not entirely sure why you're quoting me here, as your statement is simply a rewording of my next sentence (which you cut out):LilithSlave said:
My point being: I'm agreeing with you, wtf? Why am I the target of your wall-of-text rant?EvilPicnic said:
[EDIT]
In order to add some actual content to this post, I think Samuel Johnston's assertion that "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" is relevant.
In context, Dr. Johnson was referring to the use of appeals to 'patriotism' by politicians in order to boost their popular support and distract attention away from their actual policies (or lack thereof). Watching the farce that is the current Republican nominations brings this to mind...
VoidWanderer said:
No, your opinion didn't offend me it's yours to have. But your glaring stupidity did. Big difference.
hhmmm...no. I rather not because that sounds like a gateway to have a single monolith government/country that spans the globe and I don't want that.AndyFromMonday said:
well, it's because its our home, and we like it because we can do and say want we want. We have opportunities very few other countries provide. Here you can be an American and still retain culture. And we get up in arms because of how much crap we tend to take, eventually people just get pissed at all the insults.interspark said:
Yeah we have done stupid things, but if you can't stick by your country (read NOT GOVERNMENT) even with its problems, then that is the opposite of patriotism. Quite frankly, i Love this country, and i don't mind a bit of mudslinging but i never tolerate straight up anti-american sentiments. After all, i make fun of Europe, but damn it, you guys have stuck by us in hard times and i love you guys.....even france, and i respect you.
"It may be dirt, but damn it its MY dirt."
-Grandpa from The Grapes of Wrath
Most Americans are NOT rabid Patriots. Most Americans work a couple of jobs to support their families and hope the economy does not get worse. People who do not have time in their days to worry what other countries have to say about them.
Also, politicians are not good examples of Americans.
Also, politicians are not good examples of Americans.
To quote John Dalberg-Acton, "Power corrupts, and absoulte power corrupts absolutely". Think about if this government gave to ok to do something like what (PRC)China is doing to Tibet, America is doing at Guantanamo Bay, what England did to Ireland/India/China/Africa/Argentina. Who could oppose them? They would be the most powerful organized body in the entire world. It would be to risky to have.OhJohnNo said:
"Why are [insert name of people from TC's country here] so quick to assume everyone in an entire country acts a certain way because of a few examples of its people?"
Hey, look, see, I can make stupid sweeping generalizations too. Of course, I don't, because that would be dumb. I'm sure there are plenty of people in your country who are intelligent, TC. Stop lumping together everyone in one country based on the actions of a few of its people and maybe you could be one of those intelligent people someday.
Hey, look, see, I can make stupid sweeping generalizations too. Of course, I don't, because that would be dumb. I'm sure there are plenty of people in your country who are intelligent, TC. Stop lumping together everyone in one country based on the actions of a few of its people and maybe you could be one of those intelligent people someday.
Hmm... yes, I can definitely see that downside. This is why we must get to work on benevolent (and we'd better make really motherfucking sure they are completely benevolent) computers to govern this theoretical all-encompassing country as quickly as possible. I imagine they'd work better than all the other forms of governance that have been tried...Volf99 said:
In a nutshell: Because our internal propaganda machine is second to none.
This country has a habit of drumming up nationalism right about the time it is about to take something from us. I could list examples but I'm at work and A) doing so might make my current lack of productivity more apparent and B) It would just make me angry.
Also, as someone said above, the country is still young. That, coupled with the fact that we essentially fight a war every 20 - 30 years, we keep getting inundated with "patriotism" once or twice per generation to distract us from the fact that taxes are going up to feed the rich through no bid defense contracting etc.
This country has a habit of drumming up nationalism right about the time it is about to take something from us. I could list examples but I'm at work and A) doing so might make my current lack of productivity more apparent and B) It would just make me angry.
Also, as someone said above, the country is still young. That, coupled with the fact that we essentially fight a war every 20 - 30 years, we keep getting inundated with "patriotism" once or twice per generation to distract us from the fact that taxes are going up to feed the rich through no bid defense contracting etc.