There is a problem in America. The problem is not a lack of patriotism as we normally use the word. It is the problem of people not understanding what patriotism should be. Many of us, think that this is patriotism:

There are so many people who feel this way, and not just burned out, uneducated people like Britney. This is a common fallacy that many educated people not only believe, but also work to  convince others of. The line of thinking operates like the following conversation:

Doctor: I have bad news. You have type two diabetes.

Patient: Don’t you love me?

Doctor: I care for your welfare very much. That is why we need to treat this illness…

Patient: You keep talking about my illness! You hate me!

Of course, we scoff at the notion that we would ever engage in such a ridiculous conversation. Yet, here in America, that is the standard response by many of criticism of our nation or its leaders: you hate America.

This is perversely wrong. Not only is it a thriving problem, but it is one that has been around for a very long time. As Thomas Jefferson said long ago, “Dissension is the highest form of patriotism.”

Why would someone say that? Why would someone seemingly go against what his country was doing? Let’s first give a definition of patriotism: “Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one’s country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one’s country.”

Focusing on the second section, we can see why dissension would be a patriotic act. If we are devoted to the welfare of our country, we will act in a way that will end in the greatest result for our country. We won’t support failed policies and poorly performing elected officials. If our President is doing a less than satisfactory job and we are not upset with him, that in fact is due to a lack of real patriotism.

So when you think that you are patriotic because you listen to country music, have bumper stickers with un-thinking slogans on them, and wear ugly clothing (our flag is beautiful, but it makes one butt-ugly hat) you are merely like the pharisees of the New Testament who prayed in public so they could be seen for their much praying. That isn’t real patriotism.

The Patriotism that will help America today is to stop worrying about flags and stickers, and to start worrying about the decline of our public education. What can we do to help with the rise of poverty? Are our elected officials doing an adequate job? Because continuing to support someone who is doing a poor job is a very stupid thing to do, and calling it patriotic is all the more stupid.