Putting the Maher quote aside, what bothers me, and caused me to write this, was that I am frequently challenged by people who consider me to be unpatriotic just because I’m a liberal/progressive.
I work – and love my job and why I’m doing it – as hard as anyone else. I work with kids in hopes they become smarter and more enthusiastic – they are the future of our country and world. I have read the constitution and as much as I disagree with many interpretations out there, I still have to accept that my point of view is not the only one.
But I am challenged by people who work for money, not for pride and happiness. They are greedy and pay lip service and nothing more to the people I consider important – kids, service members, etc. I hate people who pose “what if’s…” just to get their point across, when they blatantly ignore the importantance of the situation in front of them.
So, after basically being quiet and doing my best to not get angry with people who would rather argue than understand, I chose to put my frustrations in words.
You are not an American because you wave a bigger flag.
Or more flags.
You are not an American just because you have fancy slogans that take shots at Democrats.
Or people who think differently than you.
Or poor people.
Or people of color.
Or different backgrounds than you.
You are not an American just because you can wave a copy of the Constitution in my face (try actually reading one!).
Or can quote the 2nd Amendment (and usually only the 2nd Amendment!). Just remember, there’s actually 27 of them!
You are not an American because you call yourself a patriot.
Or someone else a socialist, but probably have no idea what that really is.
You are not an American when you label others who aren’t like you tyrannical or compare them to Hitler or Stalin. Especially when the people you’re broadly labeling happen to be the descendants of Hitler’s victims.
You are not an American because Glen fucking Beck told you that you were.
Or your pastor, priest or father.
You are not an American if you think your religion is better than mine, even if I have none.
You are not an American if you think illegal immigrants are less of a human being than you are.
Or you neglect the mother of an unborn child but claim life is so precious.
You are not an American just because you pay lip service by saying, “I support the troops.”
You are not an American just because you have a sticker on your car stating Be an American, Stand Up for America! Or because you wear a pin of a flag on your shirt.
You are not an American just because you think “America is #1!!!”
No.
A real American – a Patriot – would’ve at least read the Constitution, and not just the parts they like.
They listen to assholes screaming to change it back at the top of their lungs and quietly vote their conscience, even though their blood is boiling.
They realize that the fact is, our taxes are the lowest in our lifetime, the economy was at its worst before we changed, and that two years can’t fix an economy a couple of assholes broke over an eight year Presidency. And YES, I can back that up with facts. Even the asshole part!
A real American doesn’t need a flag, bumper sticker, pin or TV show to tell them what they already know and what they should feel.
They don’t need bigots or people looking to get reelected telling them what they want to hear.
They love this country for all it’s flaws and strengths alike.
And want to make it better.
And available to all.
A real American respects others, appreciates diversity and accepts different points of view.
A real American doesn’t value someone’s life as more or less valuable than the next person. Regardless of where they came from. Or what they have.
Everyone is created equal. Or perhaps you missed that part?
A real American doesn’t pay lip service to the troops, people with needs or any other cause.
They pay with their time, their money, their energy in what they believe in.
Speaking of politics…
“There is a big difference between a disappointing friend and a deadly enemy. Of course the Democrats are disappointing. That’s what makes them Democrats. If they were any more frustrating they’d be your relatives. But in this country they are all that stands between you and darkest night. You know why their symbol is the letter ‘D’? Because it’s a grade that means good enough, but just barely. You know why the Republican symbol is ‘R’? Because it’s the noise a pirate makes when he robs you and feeds you to a shark.”
—Bill Maher