There has
come about a change in the public perception of what a patriot is – and it is
not a good change. Most of us have been fans of a certain sports team or
television show or type of car. Having an opinion or valuing something we like
is a good thing. However it sometimes happens that we get into the mode of
thinking that our team or car or show is superior in every way to every other
team or car or show. They can do no wrong and everyone that can’t see that is
either stupid or misinformed.
So it is
with countries, political parties or candidates. A person who says “My country,
right or wrong!” or “If you don’t vote for (insert name or party here), you are
stupid, incompetent or dishonest,” is not being a true patriot.
A patriot is
one who understands the principles of freedom, is always learning and comparing
truth and integrity with what is actually being said and done, and is always
willing to confront the errors or corruption they see – even if those problems
originate with the country, party or person they have been allied with. A
patriot requires of themselves a personal introspection and a willingness to
see the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. A patriot stands up for the
principles that matter, even when it may cost them something. A patriot may be
called a traitor or a coward or a criminal by those in power, if their pursuit
of truth and principle takes them into conflict with the powers that be.
The greatest
patriots we look to in our history are Washington, Adams, Franklin, Jefferson,
Madison and others of their time. These and others, including the signers of
the Declaration of Independence, were called traitors because they dared to
criticize and separate themselves from the “home team” of the British Empire.
Those who stood up and called slavery a plague and an abomination were
ridiculed and hated by some. Winston Churchill was ostracized by many in the
British government until he was proven right about the dishonesty of Hitler’s
Germany. Gandhi was called a coward because he wouldn’t physically fight
against the government who occupied his country. All of them stood in support
of truth, principle and the good of their people and of mankind. All were true
patriots. All succeeded in making the world better or stopping evil from taking
or keeping power.
Patriots are
not those who numbly go with the unexamined status quo. They are thinking, caring
and informed. They act, speak and vote in support of the principles and people
who are doing what they should. My hope is that we all are willing to take the
time and effort to be true patriots and not just puppets.
No comments:
Post a Comment