Why are Americans so Patriotic?

[Baconmonster723]

..maybe colonise some places, kill the natives etc.

Erm. I'm getting the impression of a glaring oversight here.

Nope.

I'm pretty sure those were British colonists.

I believe he's referring to good old American Manifest Destiny and the "colonization" of the west. We may not have a rich history in colonizing, but dammit if we couldn't be like our big bro England. We had to go and damn near wipe out all of the Native American tribes residing between the Pacific and the Mississippi.

OT: We're patriotic because we can be. Our country is good enough that we can brag about it, and powerful enough that people aren't wanna mess with it. Now don't confuse patriotism with nationalism. I'm one of the most patriotic people you'll ever find. I LOVE my country despite its faults. We're both young (the country and myself), but it's time that we grew up a little. But don't mistake most of us for being nationalistic. We love our country, but we don't hate yours.

 

[VoidWanderer]

Fear.

They are afraid that their country is not as good as they want to believe it is. They are so desperate to 'prove themselves' to the world, that the will charge into any conflict that has NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM.

Since they have somehow become the 'Leader of the Free World', something I still cannot figure out, they feel that they have douchebag trumpeting rights.

Thank you for illustrating so brilliantly what a mindless automaton looks like.

Surely, the media and the decisions of a few are obviously enough to label over 300 million people from every race and religion on the planet into one negative little category.

*Looks around confused*

Oh, I'm sorry... Did my personal opinion offend you?

If the USA was more concerned what was occuring in their own backyard than their neighbours, then I would very happily re-evaluate my opinion. But as I am still hoping to see this event occur, unfortunately I have to stick with my 'biased' opinion.

 

[trollnystan]

the under god part is somewhat funny:
During the cold war Americans believed that the Russian government was telling its people that the government was equal to the religion. So basically its a way of saying that the government will not oppress your religions views like those darn Communist.

Really? I thought it was Christian lobbyists that got that put in. (link to wikipedia)

Where did you hear your version? Just curious =)

Never use wikipedia as a source. Never.

Anywho, the reason that the war on drugs started was because of anti-Chinese sentiment. Cheap Chinese labor was threatening to take jobs away from the native 'Mericans (Among other things), so they focused on getting rid of Opium dens in hopes that less Chinese would want to live in 'Merica.

I'm sorry, but I had a laundry time to catch; wikipedia is fast and if not always right it's not always wrong either. Here's a link that says that both me and @direkiller are right. (You have to scroll down towards the middle.) And another link.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

You know that being patriotic is actually part of our goal in public education here in the US right? I'm not even kidding. There is a reason that every morning, public school kids are made to stand and read the Pledge like we're goddamn Hitler youths.

It's mostly due to WWII and the Cold War. Especially the McCarthy cases. People got so scared about foreigners and it became all about how America is the fuckin' shit. Unfortunately, times have changed, but the attitudes of many current adults who were either born during those times or grew up during them have no yet changed with them.

Maybe its because I'm a Jew with grandparents from the Holocaust, so I'm just being overly sensitive, but please don't type that the Pledge of Allegiance is like the Hitler Youths. The two are not at all the same.

 

[astrav1]

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.

You know that's probably the most sensible argument I've heard for The States. Of course People could use the patriotism stereotype for any country.

 

[Gluzzbung]

I think it's more to do with the propaganda. Maybe I'm slightl alienated by it abroad as I'm english and, as such, mainly recieve films and entertainment from America. Captain America is a prime example on this, and super heroes in general really. They are an overtly American thing.

Then there's that stuff about the wars.

We helped TOO you know?

 

[DRes82]

Fear.

They are afraid that their country is not as good as they want to believe it is. They are so desperate to 'prove themselves' to the world, that the will charge into any conflict that has NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM.

Since they have somehow become the 'Leader of the Free World', something I still cannot figure out, they feel that they have douchebag trumpeting rights.

Thank you for illustrating so brilliantly what a mindless automaton looks like.

Surely, the media and the decisions of a few are obviously enough to label over 300 million people from every race and religion on the planet into one negative little category.

*Looks around confused*

Oh, I'm sorry... Did my personal opinion offend you?

If the USA was more concerned what was occuring in their own backyard than their neighbours, then I would very happily re-evaluate my opinion. But as I am still hoping to see this event occur, unfortunately I have to stick with my 'biased' opinion.

You completely missed what the poster was saying. You grossly over generalized a huge number of people. Which in itself is much worse than any silly thoughts that all Americans must validate themselves by forcing their opinions on others. (hmm, that sounds familiar...MLP fans?)

Also, for someone who doesn't approve of people trumpeting like douchebags...your post came off as kind of douchebaggy.

 

[BoogieManFL]

Something I forgot to add in my other post - I'm 31 years old and I'm born and raised in the US. I consider myself typically patriotic. But I'm no fanatic. I didn't pay much attention to politics until I was in my mid 20s. Since then, I've only voted for a president twice and that was because my parents urged me to, even though I didn't like anyone. Not to be overly dramatic or accuse the people themselves as being such, but in my eyes I voted for the "lesser of two evils". Something I've yet to do again.

Upon reflection to that logic later, I discovered something that upset me even more. Notice how I said the lesser of two evils? That's just bullshit. Not because it's a choice between shit #1 or shit #2 - When I think back I only remember 2 or 3 candidates each year. Almost all the votes get tossed at these two people. Why? Two reasons. First, the way media covers candidates means only a select few get any real coverage. Second, people feel if they vote for one of the "nobodies" then they are throwing their vote away and sadly that's exactly what it is.

How many people do you directly know and can name are running for President in 2012 in the US? I live here and I can come up with 5 or 6. But you know what? There are at least 24 people running for President. The fact very people people even know they exist is bullshit. Where were all of them during the televised debates?

The system is flawed because it seems only those with lots of money and media coverage can hope to be elected. And those kinds of people are not at all good representatives of your average every day American.

 

[WildFire15]

I see nothing wrong with being Patriotic. better then being miserably all the time

 

[EvilPicnic]

I think there's nothing wrong with being patriotic and appreciative of the country you live in

Why not be equally appreciative of other nations?

I'm not entirely sure why you're quoting me here, as your statement is simply a rewording of my next sentence (which you cut out):

What I have a problem with is nationalistic tendencies that state that one country is qualitatively 'better' than all other countries - see 'American Exceptionalism'

My point being: I'm agreeing with you, wtf? Why am I the target of your wall-of-text rant?

[EDIT]

In order to add some actual content to this post, I think Samuel Johnston's assertion that "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" is relevant.

In context, Dr. Johnson was referring to the use of appeals to 'patriotism' by politicians in order to boost their popular support and distract attention away from their actual policies (or lack thereof). Watching the farce that is the current Republican nominations brings this to mind...

 

[BoogieManFL]

Fear.

They are afraid that their country is not as good as they want to believe it is. They are so desperate to 'prove themselves' to the world, that the will charge into any conflict that has NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM.

Since they have somehow become the 'Leader of the Free World', something I still cannot figure out, they feel that they have douchebag trumpeting rights.

Thank you for illustrating so brilliantly what a mindless automaton looks like.

Surely, the media and the decisions of a few are obviously enough to label over 300 million people from every race and religion on the planet into one negative little category.

*Looks around confused*

Oh, I'm sorry... Did my personal opinion offend you?

If the USA was more concerned what was occuring in their own backyard than their neighbours, then I would very happily re-evaluate my opinion. But as I am still hoping to see this event occur, unfortunately I have to stick with my 'biased' opinion.

No, your opinion didn't offend me it's yours to have. But your glaring stupidity did. Big difference.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

Patriotism only serves to breed distrust between different cultures. We should attempt to unite under one banner and relinquish our imaginary differences rather than enforce and encourage them. Patriotism is dangerous, plain and simple.

hhmmm...no. I rather not because that sounds like a gateway to have a single monolith government/country that spans the globe and I don't want that.

 

[VoidWanderer]

Fear.

They are afraid that their country is not as good as they want to believe it is. They are so desperate to 'prove themselves' to the world, that the will charge into any conflict that has NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM.

Since they have somehow become the 'Leader of the Free World', something I still cannot figure out, they feel that they have douchebag trumpeting rights.

Thank you for illustrating so brilliantly what a mindless automaton looks like.

Surely, the media and the decisions of a few are obviously enough to label over 300 million people from every race and religion on the planet into one negative little category.

*Looks around confused*

Oh, I'm sorry... Did my personal opinion offend you?

If the USA was more concerned what was occuring in their own backyard than their neighbours, then I would very happily re-evaluate my opinion. But as I am still hoping to see this event occur, unfortunately I have to stick with my 'biased' opinion.

No, your opinion didn't offend me it's yours to have. But your glaring stupidity did. Big difference.

Fear.

They are afraid that their country is not as good as they want to believe it is. They are so desperate to 'prove themselves' to the world, that the will charge into any conflict that has NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM.

Since they have somehow become the 'Leader of the Free World', something I still cannot figure out, they feel that they have douchebag trumpeting rights.

Thank you for illustrating so brilliantly what a mindless automaton looks like.

Surely, the media and the decisions of a few are obviously enough to label over 300 million people from every race and religion on the planet into one negative little category.

*Looks around confused*

Oh, I'm sorry... Did my personal opinion offend you?

If the USA was more concerned what was occuring in their own backyard than their neighbours, then I would very happily re-evaluate my opinion. But as I am still hoping to see this event occur, unfortunately I have to stick with my 'biased' opinion.

You completely missed what the poster was saying. You grossly over generalized a huge number of people. Which in itself is much worse than any silly thoughts that all Americans must validate themselves by forcing their opinions on others. (hmm, that sounds familiar...MLP fans?)

Also, for someone who doesn't approve of people trumpeting like douchebags...your post came off as kind of douchebaggy.

Fair call. I did end up calling the kettle black there.

 

[Risingblade]

All you other countries got to be patriotic at one point, so why can't we? :/

 

[Jegsimmons]

it might be just an unfair stereotype, but it's generally believed that if you badmouth america, any nearby americans will go up in arms and get very angry, and i'm just wondering why. Just to clarify, i have nothing against america, but i hardly think it's anything to write home about. and don't say that anyone would be that way about their home country, because if someone came up to be and said "hey, england's crap!" i'd just say "yeah, it is a bit"

well, it's because its our home, and we like it because we can do and say want we want. We have opportunities very few other countries provide. Here you can be an American and still retain culture. And we get up in arms because of how much crap we tend to take, eventually people just get pissed at all the insults.
Yeah we have done stupid things, but if you can't stick by your country (read NOT GOVERNMENT) even with its problems, then that is the opposite of patriotism. Quite frankly, i Love this country, and i don't mind a bit of mudslinging but i never tolerate straight up anti-american sentiments. After all, i make fun of Europe, but damn it, you guys have stuck by us in hard times and i love you guys.....even france, and i respect you.

"It may be dirt, but damn it its MY dirt."
-Grandpa from The Grapes of Wrath

 

[repeating integers]

Patriotism only serves to breed distrust between different cultures. We should attempt to unite under one banner and relinquish our imaginary differences rather than enforce and encourage them. Patriotism is dangerous, plain and simple.

hhmmm...no. I rather not because that sounds like a gateway to have a single monolith government/country that spans the globe and I don't want that.

Why not?

Seriously, what are the downsides?

 

[silent-treatment]

Most Americans are NOT rabid Patriots. Most Americans work a couple of jobs to support their families and hope the economy does not get worse. People who do not have time in their days to worry what other countries have to say about them.

Also, politicians are not good examples of Americans.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

Patriotism only serves to breed distrust between different cultures. We should attempt to unite under one banner and relinquish our imaginary differences rather than enforce and encourage them. Patriotism is dangerous, plain and simple.

hhmmm...no. I rather not because that sounds like a gateway to have a single monolith government/country that spans the globe and I don't want that.

Why not?

Seriously, what are the downsides?

To quote John Dalberg-Acton, "Power corrupts, and absoulte power corrupts absolutely". Think about if this government gave to ok to do something like what (PRC)China is doing to Tibet, America is doing at Guantanamo Bay, what England did to Ireland/India/China/Africa/Argentina. Who could oppose them? They would be the most powerful organized body in the entire world. It would be to risky to have.