Why are Americans so Patriotic?

[Peteron]

Well, that's because we are America. I haven't searched the pages yet but i'm sure there is an "America, Fuck Yeah!" link somewhere.

 

[Marcus Kehoe]

I Have little Patriotism simpily for the fact its pride, and pride is wrong. I can never fight for my country due to flt feet but I take that as a blessing so I won't have to go kill people for a reason I likely don't know(all war is wrong). I have also recently given up saying the pledge because I don't give my aligence to any man, only god Jehovah.

 

[Laxman9292]

If you like it for the 'wrong' reasons if you will...
As in, you shouldn't like Britain because it enslaved thousands of Africans.
Much in the same way as you shouldn't be patriotic about going to war.

Indeed. And I would actually add to this that sometimes patriotism, particularly in the most prevalent view of American patriotism, gets jumbled in with such things as unquestioning loyalty to ones government, president or military. And I think that's the most disturbing thing about some people's view of patriotism.

There's nothing wrong with loving where you come from, but it's how you show your appreciation for that place. For example, I'd argue that blind loyalty to ones government is a form of undesirable patriotism, whereas questioning your government and demanding accountability when you feel they went off the rails is something that I feel is a better form of patriotism. It shows you actually care about where you live because you want to make sure that government isn't run like a wolf set lose in a hen house. I could go on, but that's the biggest problem with what I think the rest of the world views as American patriotism.

That's not to say that that's how everyone acts. Clearly that is not the case and it's simply a very vocal minority.

Nah dude, everyone loves America. Not everyone is gung ho about it but I guarantee you, start up a "USA, USA" chant most public gatherings, especially sports events, and almost everyone will join in. I know plenty of redneck, people who are like what you're saying, but most people just love America and the ideals it was founded on. I promise you those people aren't all thinking of unquestionable loyalty to the government because half the people there probably hate the current party in power. I mean all you have to do is look at Occupy Wall Street and you'll see how much people love protesting. We protest the shit out of things here, even things that don't need protesting! And everyone should support the military as a group of citizens dedicated to their country. Deploying the military to various places and the situations surrounding those? Meh, but the military itself? Always support them!

 

[Stainlesssteele4]

Country founded on revolution > has patriotic citizens.
Simple as that.

 

[ninetails593]

If you ask me Americans are depressed. Everybody in America is talking about our problems; if there's ever a possibility of war people whine the government into submission. It's economy this and foreign relations that. People wouldn't care if we resurrected Gandhi and put him in charge of North Korea, they'd be throwing a fit at the latest "scandal". The only good news that gets reported is either ignored or downplayed, in favor of blaming the President for not fixing every problem in a day.

 

[Calbeck]

i have nothing against america, but i hardly think it's anything to write home about.

If your home isn't interesting enough to write home about, perhaps you should move to someplace which is.

 

[tjbond911]

Let them have their patriotism.

Their country is still new, they still have time to do a few more war crimes, maybe colonise some places, kill the natives etc.

You're only young once.


*sips tea*

Yes, quite.

Um actually America has colonized and killed many natives. And I'm not just referring to Native AMericans but Cuba, the Philippines, etc. Haven't you ever heard of American Imperialism?

 

[CulixCupric]

I'm thinking of moving to Australia when I'm older. eh... USA isn't as great as it thinks it is. I live in the US.

the US is not all of America.

 

[tjbond911]

I believe it's because of 9/11. If you look at American culture pre and post 9/11 there are many examples of increased patriotism, ex: French Fries becoming "Freedom Fries" (temporarily).

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

I guess Americans are patriotic because we feels as though we need to be an 'example' to the world. Pretty egotistical, I know, but then again, that's not always a bad thing.

 

[Arsen]

Patriotism is never a bad thing. Everyone should feel some sense of pride and recognition in the historical struggles, sacrifices, pains, and hardships the people have undergone, overcome, and learned from.

However, I do feel that my country, on some level, receives a distinct amount of criticism that other countries seem to not receive in this light. We do have a fair amount of issues but then again...what nation doesn't?

Once again: Patriotism is a mentality of reverence and respect. Some abuse it in an ignorant light, but for the most part it's a noble stance.

 

[Alphonse_Lamperouge]

i kind of see America as the schoolyard bully of the world. you know, the one nobody likes but everyone act like they are friends with, to avoid beatings?
and you know on some level that it isn't really the bully's fault that he is a sadistic little shit. he was probably abused by his parents, like his father and grandfather before him.
and so you tolerate him, make pleasantries and get on with your life. until (inevitably) one day something unpleasant happens to him, and you cant help but smile.
but then you realize you have to befriend a new bully, and how am i supposed to do that?
i cant speak Chinese.

 

[CulixCupric]

I guess Americans are patriotic because we feels as though we need to be an 'example' to the world. Pretty egotistical, I know, but then again, that's not always a bad thing.

if egotistical isn't a bad thing, then why is pride considered a sin?

disclaimer: i am agnostic, i merely study theism.

 

[AndyFromMonday]

again....I never brought up who was "better", you did. Also I never said I would try to change their opinion. However discussion about cultural values makes me think of something that Charles James Naiper said when the Hindu practice of Sati was banned,

"You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours".

You missed the point. We can't treat someone else's culture like shit, even if it is full of shit, because that would only make people pertaining to that culture less receptive. That was it. Plus, this is a discussion about patriotism, not multiculturalism. Let's stop.

 

[silenticecream]

Dang...Nationalism (any country, any time period) simply rankles with me. A common purpose is one thing, but this will eventually become anathemetic to every other form of identity out there. I despise essayish posts on forums so i'll shut up now.

 

[SnakeoilSage]

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This.

 

[Tipatap]

I'm going to have to agree with the point that most people who do so are in the minority. Most of us living here in the U.S.A are content to just live here, and not shove apple-pie infused with patriotism down the throats of other people.

 

[Joel Dawson]

Just because you are patriotic does not mean you cannot be critical of America. My Conflict in the Modern World teacher is pretty critical of America and its actions, but he loves America and says he is all the more critical of it because of his patriotism.

 

[TheLoneBeet]

What's wrong with having pride in your country? If you love where you live you should defend it, I'm not saying beat the tar out of anyone who dislikes America or anything but when did liking where you live become a bad thing?

I was going to say something like this. I'm from Canada and I've met people from all over the world who get upset when you badmouth their country. If you're not proud of where you live then that's a shame and you probably don't deserve to live there.

Some people will get up in arms if you badmouth a country they USED to live in. Hell, there are even people who have never lived in a country that's just part of their family's heritage and they'll get upset if you badmouth it.

 

[General Twinkletoes]

it always baffled me.. If someone came here to australia, and said it was shit, I'd reply "Well it's alright, but it does suck sometimes" and then i'd go back to boxing kangaroos and drinking beer.
EDIT: After reading somemore posts, it's starting to get a bit annoying. Why are you proud of where you live? It's the same as being proud of your race, or in what social class you were born into. Liking your country is fine, getting annoyed at people badmouthing it is fine, but just going crazy about your country is just stupid.