What is the definition of Patriot? Are you one?

[suijurisfreeman]

When I look up the word, 'Patriot' on the web at ww.dictionary.com it states: "One who loves his country, and zealously supports its authority and interests." I would like to ask the following questions: 1. Does a 'Patriot' love the land (his country) or the system that governs the land (his country)? 2. Is it possible for a 'Patriot' to love the land (his country) but not the system that governs the land (his country)? 3. Does 'your government' have the lawful authority to govern the citizens of this land? 4. What are this country's interests today? 5. Are you 'zealously defending interests' that may not be in your best interest? 6. Are those interests in line with the Bill of Rights and Constitution?
Thinking about the definition of 'Patriot' kinda gives me a headache, kinda makes me think twice about whether I'm a 'Patriot' by today's definition! How about you?

 

[A. Partisan]

What is the definition of Patriot? Are you one?
When I look up the word, 'Patriot' on the web at ww.dictionary.com it states: "One who loves his country, and zealously supports its authority and interests." I would like to ask the following questions: 1. Does a 'Patriot' love the land (his country) or the system that governs the land (his country)? 2. Is it possible for a 'Patriot' to love the land (his country) but not the system that governs the land (his country)? 3. Does 'your government' have the lawful authority to govern the citizens of this land? 4. What are this country's interests today? 5. Are you 'zealously defending interests' that may not be in your best interest? 6. Are those interests in line with the Bill of Rights and Constitution?
Thinking about the definition of 'Patriot' kinda gives me a headache, kinda makes me think twice about whether I'm a 'Patriot' by today's definition! How about you?


__________________

I for one love my country but............................. I sure as heck don't like the way it's governed.


I think someone said " God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that
government of the people, by the people, for the people shall
not perish from the earth."

 

[DigitalWarrior]

I respect my country enough to oppose those who would destroy it.

 

[BHPshooter]

I would think that the definition of a Patriot would vary depending on the country in which one resides.

Given that most of us here are Americans, I would say that someone can absolutely love their land, but not their government. The reason I say this is that Americans are rebels, and have been since they've started calling themselves Americans.

What makes us Americans? The textbook answer is anyone who is born in the U.S. or who successfully completes citizenship requirements.
What makes us Patriots, as Americans who understand founding ideals? I would say that the American Patriot is one who understands the difference in Liberty and "Security," and who knows which one is necessary. Freedom is necessary, and when used to its intended purposes, leads to true security. Whereas government sanctioned "Security" is an illusion that lulls its citizens into feeling safe, but in reality, leave them not better off, but worse off.

So which is more important to you? Freedom and Liberty, or Safety and Security? Do you want to decide for yourself how to make yourself safe, while leaving your rights intact and unmolested, or do you want to have the government decide for you?

How you answer these questions, to my eyes, defines how much of a True American Patriot you are.

Your Mileage May Vary, of course.

Wes

 

[suijurisfreeman]

Right on!

Thefumegator,

You've got my AMEN on that post! May the original intent of true freedom/liberty become a giant tidal wave all across America, washing away all those who would impose their tyranny on freedom loving Americans!

 

[Chris Rhines]

Lemmee go dig out my copy of Kings of the High Frontier...

Ah, here we go.

A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.

- George William Curtis

Kinda says it all, I think.

- Chris

 

[grampster]

Actually, imho your question is incomplete.
I love my land AND my government. What I have trouble with are some of the folks who are involved in the governance of our land. If you are thinking of "government" in the manner of its form, then show me a better one anywhere or at any time. The ff used the mistakes of the past to set in motion something that would be good and endure IF we worked at it. "We have given you a republic, madam, if you can keep it" a comment made by one of the ff when questioned by the wife of one of his peers. Franklin, I think, not sure. We have not done very well with that portion.

What they put together in the Constitution and BOR is timeless and applicable today. However, they gave us a way to improve upon their work if necessary with the use of constitutional amendments that need ratification by 2/3 of the states. Of course today, the state and federal courts have usurped that power. They have amended, disregarded or added or deleted from the Constitution many times. The problem is we the people continue to allow this to occur, along with electing and re electing scoundrels and petifoggers to office.
The system will work if only "we the people" were not so dang lazy, uninterested, selfish and stupid.
I believe a patriot is one who loves his land and his government and actively becomes involved in the husbandry of the land and participates in and scrutinizes those who have been elected and appointed to the honorable post of governanace.

grampster

 

[suijurisfreeman]

Chris Rhines,

I'll give your quote an AMEN and a HALLELUIAH!

grampster,

You're absolutely correct, my question is incomplete! The actual problem isn't with our form of government, my mistake, it's public officials who have perverted the intent of the 'founding fathers' - their intent that a limited Constititutional Republic was to be our form of government! In my opinion you are also absolutely correct in stating that the problem lies with 'We the People", we have failed both individually and collectively to preserve the liberty that was handed to us in the Bill of Rights and Constitution! Shame , shame, shame on all of us for not standing tall and exercising and defending our inherent and inalienable rights! We either use 'em (our rights) or we'll lose 'em!

 

[Standing Wolf]

I love my country, but dislike many of the things it's doing to its citizens.

 

[Zedicus]

I allways wondered why they allways think we need "New Laws" the old original ones still work fine, why repace it unless there is an ulterior motive?

I Say: "If it Aint Broke, DONT FIX IT!"

 

[GinSlinger]

I like to make the distintion between government, and bureaucracy. Government, to me, is the system set out in the Constitution and its amendements. The governemnt consists of The office of the president, the HOR and the Sentate, and the Supreme court. Bureaucracy is that dark fog set up to make governing easier for the branches of government (particularly the executive branch). Bureaucracy is what we should fear, in that it was predicated on the (wrong) concept that gorverning the people should be effective. If the branches had to enforce thier legislation/executive orders w/o a bureaucracy they would ahve stopped passing additional legislation etc long ago. Therefore, I do not love my Bureaucracy, but I do love my country AND my government.

If only the top 5% of a bureaucracy changes with each change of power, how does that fit with our republican traditions?

GinSlinger

(Did this make ANY sense? I'm medicated right now. sinuses!)