One Word, Two Meanings Kim du Toit, September 13, 2006I think Kim has got it exactly right. These other folks aren't like us at all. My ancestors, most of them, left Europe to avoid what the other side seems to want us to have here. We've shed our blood for this country, for the right to do right. I don't think I'll be changing anytime soon. ¶ posted by The Editor 9:57 AM
I've just about had it up to here with Lefties complaining that when we call them on their latest line of crap, we're "impugning their patriotism" or some such nonsense.
Here's the intrinsic problem, and it's why America is so divided as a nation: we conservative/Red Staters and you liberal/Blue Staters have diametrically-opposed visions of what constitutes the Patria.
Our patria is a representative republic, founded on pretty much immutable Constitutional principle; your patria is a popular democracy with a "living" Constitution.
Our patria is a capitalist society with low, limited and broad-based taxation; your patria is a neo-socialist society with embedded wealth redistribution policies (through onerous graduated tax rates, incremental taxes and inheritance taxes).
Our patria values private property ownership; your patria would prefer that most property belong to the State.
Our patria believes in a State welfare policy which offers a helping hand only to those in genuine need; your patria redefines "need" as "anyone who asks for it".
Our patria values private gun ownership; your patria would prefer that officers of the State be the only armed entity.
Our patria believes in self-reliance; your patria prefers to keep people as wards of the State.
Our patria believes in sovereign nationality; your patria insists that national boundaries are irrelevant.
Our patria believes in devolving political power downward as much as possible; your patria concentrates political power upwards.
Our patria believes in a robust, America-first foreign policy; your patria prefers accommodationism.
Our patria would prefer to fight evil decisively; your patria believes that we have brought most of the evil upon ourselves, and that "evil" is a relative term anyway.
Our patria has a legal system where judges uphold the law; your patria has judges who implement public policy by fiat.
Our patria is a colorblind society; your patria favors tokenism, separatism and affirmative action.
Our patria is a place where personal advancement depends on ability and desire; your patria is envious of the successful and is constantly trying for equality of outcome.
Our patria believes in a strong military; your patria thinks "militarism" is evil.
To make this as succinct as possible:
Our patria is America; your patria is Europe.
But most importantly:
Our patria is the longest-lasting political institution of its kind ever attempted by mankind; your patria has failed miserably in every place ever attempted.
With differences so radical, it's little wonder that the word "patriotism" has become essentially meaningless.
Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]