Patriot” is not a word that ever should be used as a campaign weapon, as a slogan, or as a cheap throwaway line to appeal to political fanatics. Same can be said for “patriotism.”
However, I am typing this brief blog post because I am infuriated at what has become of those two terms that I happen to take far more seriously than I do any politician’s desire to use them to his or her advantage.
You know who I am talking about, yes? If not, I’ll explain. I am talking about the far-right wingers out there, adherents to the cult created by The Donald. The promoters of The Big Lie. The morons who stormed the Capitol Building on 1/6 and beat police officers senseless while proclaiming themselves to be “patriots” loyal to an insurrection that sought to subvert American democracy.
I say all this as a proud American patriot. I believe I am the real thing, not some made-up figment of a cult leader’s delusional view of himself. I have been married to the same woman for 50 years. I pay my taxes regularly. I am a proud Army veteran who went to war for my country. I choke up at the sound of marching bands playing the National Anthem.
I also abhor the notion that The Donald’s cabal of fruitcakes, kooks and nut jobs can pretend to be patriots and usurp the true meaning of the term for their own perverted world view.
Far-right candidates for public office throw the terms “patriot” and “patriotism” around like any cheap political slogan or jingle. Let me be crystal clear: It pisses me off! Royally!
So … one’s proclamation of their “love of country” is nothing on which they should base a cheap slogan. In the current political climate, I am quite certain any politician who proclaims their patriotism in an effort to win my vote is more than likely going to lose it.