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What is patriotism?
At a time when Americans are being asked how proud they feel of their country, it is worth remembering that pride and patriotism are not the same thing.
A recent NBC poll asked Americans how they feel about the state of the nation as we celebrate the 250th anniversary. Questions ranged from one's confidence in the economy to whether we still had shared values.
But pundits are zeroing in on a different issue. A guest editorial in The Inter-Mountain by Rich Lowry even suggested the poll revealed a Democratic "patriotism gap."
A closer look at the actual question asked of respondents was not "Are you patriotic?" It was "How proud are you to be an American?" That is a much different and more complicated question.
Many Americans are uneasy about the way our national leadership is presenting the country to the world. They see a government that too often appears to bully allies, ignore the needs of developing nations, dismiss environmental protections, and enforce immigration policies that have disrupted lives without due process.
So yes, many of us are not feeling very proud of our country. I liken the conflicting emotions to having a child that you love turn into a misbehaving bully. Do you still love the child? Yes. Are you proud of him or her? Not so much.
The problem arises when editorial writers confuse pride with patriotism. To be clear, patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion and a deep sense of attachment to one's country. This more encompassing definition goes beyond mere affection. Patriotism emphasizes active loyalty, civic responsibility and a willingness to support the nation’s well-being and fellow citizens.
I strongly believe in that definition of patriotism. Many Democrats are dedicated to the America envisioned by the writers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution: a country that recognizes the power of democracy and the necessity of checks and balances. The Constitution begins with "We the People," not "The President shall."
Many of us are fighting for the country we love: a nation committed to becoming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility and promoting the general welfare. This is not a new idea; it is what the writers of the Constitution put to paper.
As Americans, we honor those who fought, and continue to fight, for equal rights, affordable health care, voting rights and a quality of life threatened by widening income inequality. Our country has provided much to many, and we are grateful.
In recent editorials, Democrats have been chastised for not being patriotic enough, yet many of us are grateful for the public education we received and for the natural beauty of our country, especially West Virginia. We want to protect these gifts for future generations, and we are thankful for those in the military who put their lives at risk to defend freedom.
America is not and never has been perfect. It is not unpatriotic to criticize your country; in fact, honest criticism is often one of the clearest expressions of love for it. Don't we all want our beloved America to be that "Shining City on a Hill"?
Because we love America, we should continue to defend its freedoms, protect its democratic institutions, and work for a country that lives up to its founding promises.
That is patriotism.