Love Means Never Having to Say “He’s Not My President”.
Somewhat lost in all the cooing over the historical importance of our new President has been the sudden increase in patriotism from the progressives. Suddenly, it’s okay to love America now that the right guy is sitting in the Oval Office. For those who know the history of the progressive movement, this isn’t a big shock, but not a lot of people do. It’s not like we teach in in schools or anything.
Victor David Hanson has noticed and his commentary is spot-on and as kind as the sunshine patriotism of the left deserves.
I distilled from the press coverage and the crowds and the punditry yesterday that for all too many suddenly a vote for Obama redeems America. Now, to paraphrase Michelle Obama, for the first time in their lives they are apparently proud of the United States. (Had we not had the financial meltdown in mid-September, and had Obama stayed three points back in the polls, would millions have stayed soured on America and now in sullen silence licked their wounds?).
So I am surprised that suddenly the election of a single individual means that we are united, patriotic, proud of America? Suddenly Okinawa or Antietam, or all those who died at the Argonne, are ours to claim again? (This reminds of elementary school, when our third-grade split up into two sides, as the teacher quizzed us on geography–and the losers of the contest cried and said unfair and how they didn’t like school or Mrs. Wilson, and then when they won the next day, how suddenly third grade became glorious, and Mrs. Wilson and her games were once again wonderful).
But America was always ours, the public, and the nation transcends the proposition of whether Obama gets elected or not—given that the United States, in its worst hour, was better than the alternatives at their best. So I think it would be wise to cool it on the “I am now proud of America” rhetoric. If getting your way means suddenly the dead at Iwo or those who were blown up in B-17s over Germany are at last your own and matter, then we are in deep trouble.
The obverse of the sudden shallow patriotism of the left is this post from Douglas TenNapel. His post is not merely a statement of conservative principles but an expression of heartfelt love of country that isn’t predicated on the party affiliation of our President. Being a conservatives really means that you find much in this country worth conserving even if there are other things you seek to change. It means that you keep pushing toward the noble ideals little by little knowing that even if we never reach all our goals, we will surely reach some of them and that makes our country even better.
Other Posts of Interest:
- America Is Not The Government
- The Safety of Progressivism is the Safety of the Cage
- Barack Obama Yawns at Hate. Again.
Category: Conservatism, Progressives, The Good Old US of A
