[sonny]

When you hear this phrase used what do think?.......Do you feel it is an intelligent argument?....semi-intillegent?.....ridiculous? or just provocative?
I find myself anaylizing the pharse in a deeper way lately...any thoughts?

[Blackhawk]

My automatic reaction is "Change it or lose it" due to LIOLI bumper stickers about America in the early '70s. The price of freedom is eternal vigiliance as the man said.

[DonQatU]

My mother......drunk or sober! I love her!

Think about it!

Don

[boogalou]

I hate the phase..especially if it pertains to our government. And if you're talking about our country, I would hope I wouldn't be so one-dimensional that I would love everything about it. Winters in Michigan are really starting to suck. :)

[Byron Quick]

There is a difference between loving my country and blindly supporting the policies of whatever administration is in office.

I'm a Libertarian. As such, I support very little that Republicans or the Democrats want to do.

I love my country deeply.

[Justin]

Using the phrase 'Love it or leave it' is one of the most patently idiotic arguments I have ever seen. As far as I'm concerned, it's right up there with 'Do it for the children.'

It's a phrase who's only use is to deliberately shut down any rational debate by invoking a knee-jerk reaction from both the critic and any onlookers.

What really chaps me about it is that it's generally used by ignorant statists whenever somebody criticizes their latest proposal for reducing my freedom.

:cuss:

[Marko Kloos]

"To those who say, "America, love it or leave it," I answer that I do love it. I love America's tradition of individual decision-making, personal liberties, restrained government and outspoken criticism. I love its history of attacking the powerful and questioning official policy. These things are what have made America great since its founding.

Unswerving loyalty to the state and unthinking obedience, on the other hand, are very un-American. The faceless mass that marches in lockstep to the dictates of the chief, that surrenders its liberty on command, smacks of unfortunate foreign lands. The people who adhere to these tribalistic traditions ... well ... they might just be happier elsewhere.

"America, love it or leave it," indeed."

--J.D. Tucille
“Love It or Leave It"

[TallPine]

I think it applies to those who have nothing good to say about the USA - those who enjoy our freedoms and prosperity but who condemn our very existence, and not only will not lift a finger to protect America but do everything in their power to bring her demise. (some hollywierdos and university professors come to mind)

It does not apply as a retort to anyone that does not agree with you.

[Khornet]

I think the phrase is more right now than it has ever been. Today's antiwar protesters, academic lefties, etc. consistently condemn America, equating our President with Hitler and Saddam, labeling America 'the real terrorist', and reciting a litany of American sins while ignoring the sins of other states, and sedulously ignoring America's many virtues. This is how Susan Sarandon can have the gall to claim her free speech is being suppressed while that very speech is broadcast all over America by American media without government interference.

I acknowledge the presence here of some thoughtful, well-intentioned opponents of the Iraq war, but I'm not talking about them, and they are not the face and voice of the American Left. To the American Left I say, if you really had the courage of your convictions, you'd move to Cuba. Your very presence here gives you the lie. You are not just saying America is making a mistake--you are saying America is criminal and evil. So put your money where your mouths are, and Love It or Leave It.

[Art Eatman]

Yeah, I go along with TallPine and Khornet. A love of country is not the same as a love of its government. I love this country--but I have little respect for what the Congress and several Presidents have done to us during the last 50+ years.

The phrase basically means, "If this country, it's people, are so evil, why are you still here?" I wouldn't use it with people who are being rational in questioning certain laws or policies. I do use it to those who bad-mouth the whole fundamental system.

I've invested time and money and a bunch of "sweat equity" in my present state of material comfort. Our fundamental political/socio-economic system enabled my doing that. If folks don't like that system, to the point that they seriously bad-mouth it, it's really simple: If you hate it, leave it. Don't let the doorknob catch you in a vital spot.

:), Art

[sonny]

Art ,
Thanks for putting it bluntly.........As far as I'm concerned it is as simple as you put it.........I see people who lash out at the very heart of America and it's politics and policies (some good,some not so good) as very confused child like whiners.
It is a catch 22....very simply put if you don't like it leave and live somewhere that suits you better.......but the typical response is that it's their country to and you can't make them leave.
Well?....we know we can't make them leave but we are not the ones crying about it...they are!.........it's kind of frustrating:confused:
Forgive me if my analogy does not make sense but for some reason these whiners and america bashers remind me of my childhood when we would play ball in the empty lots in nyc and the only kid who had a ball insisted we play by his rules even though everyone else wanted to play by the traditional rules.......Well... we had no choice but to play some weird version of what we were used to and no explanation could change his mind......I hope that made a little sense in explaining my frustration?
:p :p