Stop Telling Us How to Be Patriotic: New president, same kind of cult of personality.

[EasyAce]

By David Harsanyi
http://reason.com/archives/2017/01/27/stop-telling-us-how-to-be-patriotic/print

Politicians have no business directing or defining patriotism, especially when their rhetoric sounds like 1950s-era Soviet
sloganeering.

It was creepy when former President Barack Obama declared his first Inauguration Day as "National Day of Renewal and
Reconciliation" and called upon us to find "common purpose of remaking this nation for our new century." And it's creepy when
President Donald Trump declares his Inauguration Day as "National Day of Patriotic Devotion," one in which "a new national pride
stirs the American soul and inspires the American heart."

This kind of self-aggrandizement is what you see under cults of personality, not American republicanism. Far be it from me to
lecture anyone on how to love their country, but if your devotion to America is contingent upon the party or the person in office,
you're probably not doing it quite like the Founding Fathers envisioned. It's bad enough that these inaugurations are treated as
coronations. It can't be patriotic to treat politicians like quasi-religious figures. Moreover, this kind of devotional ties patriotism—
either implicitly or in some cases rather explicitly—to a preferred set of policy initiatives or a political office.

We just survived eight years of a messianic presidency with a finger-wagging, patriotism-appropriating administration lecturing
us on how to be proper Americans. If you didn't support the administration's point of view, then-Vice President Joe Biden might
accuse you of "betting against America."

"What we need as a nation," then-Treasury Secretary Jack Lew wrote to Congress in 2014, echoing the president, "is a new sense
of economic patriotism, where we all rise or fall together." Was Lew talking about our unalienable right of free expression? No, he
was talking about punishing America-based companies that were trying to lower their tax burden, which happens to be one of the
highest rates in the free world.

By the way, if we're going to play this game, avoiding excessive taxation is also one of the most American things we can do.

So it was creepy when Obama was trying to replace American idealism with progressivism and calling it "economic patriotism," and
it's creepy when Trump does basically the same thing under the guise of economic nationalism.

Now, judging from the campaign rhetoric, failing to support tariffs or other counterproductive "buy American" economic policies will
have you branded seditious over the next four years. Trump's chief strategist, Steve Bannon, who probably had something to do with
the devotion executive order, has referred to himself as an "economic nationalist," a loaded term that means you only love your
country if you support mercantilism.

Economic nationalists rely on a populism that lays blame on others—Mexico, China, whoever—for American problems. It's a philosophy,
if we trust Bannon or Trump, that values power over most principles, including liberty. It's a philosophy that sounds like many things,
none of them American patriotism.

The idea is amorphous, but patriotism, especially in this country, is driven by idealism rather than chauvinism, ethnicity or "power."
As George Orwell famously noted, nationalism isn't the same as patriotism. In the American sense, patriotism is a fidelity to a place
and the Constitution and is by nature "defensive, both militarily and culturally." Nationalism, on the other hand, "is inseparable from
the desire for power." A devotional to our "new national pride" strongly hints at the latter.

You can hate your president and love your country. You can hope your president fails and still be patriotic. We don't always have a
shared purpose. That's because presidents are not only commanders in chief but also politicians with agendas. And sometimes those
agendas clash with your worldview. Let's not have devotionals venerating their ascendency every four years.

Recommended reading, once again:

 

[INVAR]

I cannot find anything to disagree with in that opinion.

Devotion to a man and party is idolatry in both the religious and Constitutional sense.

This goes right along with the essay posted about lying and principles being discarded as long as we get the short-term results we want.

[Cripplecreek]

Honor and represent the constitution of the United States and that will be all the patriotism anybody will ever need.

[skeeter]

Honor and represent the constitution of the United States and that will be all the patriotism anybody will ever need.

 

[DCPatriot]

Hmmmm....look around at the state of the current American economy, tied to the tracks.

In case ya'll don't know it, but we're in Tombstone, and Trump is Wyatt Effing Earp!

Only been a week, and a Clanton is 'dead' already!!  Maybe two? 

[DCPatriot]

Darned right, I'm in awe of him.



...and so, are a lot of 'you'.   

[INVAR]

Hmmmm....look around at the state of the current American economy, tied to the tracks.

In case ya'll don't know it, but we're in Tombstone, and Trump is Wyatt Effing Earp!

Yeah, and Rome ceased being a Republic when it was decided that desperate times required the desperate measures of a Caesar rather than by an ineffectual Senate too.

We all know you don't give a rat's ass about the Constitution when winning and payback is what you repeatedly told us was all that mattered.   We fully expect you would be one who fanatically cheer Trump, even if he decided by decree to round up every single Democrat and have them publicly executed by firing squads for treason.

That is why you have no use for principles, such things are not needed in a cult of personality.

[DCPatriot]

Yeah, and Rome ceased being a Republic when it was decided that desperate times required the desperate measures of a Caesar rather than by an ineffectual Senate too.

We all know you don't give a rat's ass about the Constitution when winning and payback is what you repeatedly told us was all that mattered.   We fully expect you would be one who fanatically cheer Trump, even if he decided by decree to round up every single Democrat and have them publicly executed by firing squads for treason.

That is why you have no use for principles, such things are not needed in a cult of personality.

What a horrifically, stupid thing to say, @INVAR   

 

Me saying I was in awe of him at the moment, got us to here, in one post?     

[INVAR]

What a horrifically, stupid thing to say, @INVAR   

 

Me saying I was in awe of him at the moment, got us to here, in one post?     

You just said this was Tombstone and Trump is "Wyatt Effing Earp!"

Why wouldn't I think that just because Trump has a badge of office that you would cheer his bringing hell with him to dispatch your enemies in like-fashion?

[DCPatriot]

You just said this was Tombstone and Trump is "Wyatt Effing Earp!"

Why wouldn't I think that just because Trump has a badge of office that you would cheer his bringing hell with him to dispatch your enemies in like-fashion?

Do you even know the character? 

Washington requires a leader just like him ....right now!

Your apparently blind hatred of the man himself, won't allow even a glint of reality to reach you.

Furthermore, the "effing" was a playful gesture.  I was smiling, not snarling in your mind.

Lucky I didn't use CAPS  . Geesh.

[chae]

I don't hate Trump, but I do despise the people who worship him and who, since apparently they don't have a golden calf to worship, have decided that an orange ass is a suitable substitute.

[240B]

I don't hate Trump, but I do despise the people who worship him and who, since apparently they don't have a golden calf to worship, have decided that an orange ass is a suitable substitute.

We only worship him, as you say, because Trump is a manifestation of God. The sooner that you come to accept the Devine nature of Trump, the sooner you will know true peace.


Come. Be one with us. All hail the Great and Mighty Trump!

[INVAR]

Washington requires a leader just like him ....right now!

And Rome needed a Caesar like Julius right then too.

Followed by Octavian and the rest.

Your apparently blind hatred of the man himself, won't allow even a glint of reality to reach you.

I don't have a 'blind hatred' - I have a healthy skeptical vigilance when it comes to anyone in the halls of power, especially of those who have demonstrated a long lack of character and an arrogant narcissistic hubris.

I actually am pleased with several things Trump has initiated and sadly the Left has me silently cheering for him in my inner self on several scores.

But Washington or Reagan he is not.

I do not cheerlead politicians in power.  I will applaud them when they do well, and excoriate them when they violate both my principles and the Constitution.

We are so close to an actual approved dictatorship of the Executive in this country by the populace, rather than the defacto one we are already comfortable with. I continue to be aghast at how many applaud the idea, as long as it is THEIR guy who is the dictator.

[DCPatriot]

And Rome needed a Caesar like Julius right then too.

Followed by Octavian and the rest.

I don't have a 'blind hatred' - I have a healthy skeptical vigilance when it comes to anyone in the halls of power, especially of those who have demonstrated a long lack of character and an arrogant narcissistic hubris.

I actually am pleased with several things Trump has initiated and sadly the Left has me silently cheering for him in my inner self on several scores.

But Washington or Reagan he is not.

I do not cheerlead politicians in power.  I will applaud them when they do well, and excoriate them when they violate both my principles and the Constitution.

We are so close to an actual approved dictatorship of the Executive in this country by the populace, rather than the defacto one we are already comfortable with. I continue to be aghast at how many applaud the idea, as long as it is THEIR guy who is the dictator.

Not surprising, you completely skipped over the charge that I wanted you and the Democrats lined up and shot.

You've got issues, @INVAR   

It's a shame.

[Cripplecreek]

We are so close to an actual approved dictatorship of the Executive in this country by the populace, rather than the defacto one we are already comfortable with. I continue to be aghast at how many applaud the idea, as long as it is THEIR guy who is the dictator.

Everything I know of our founders suggests that they would be disgusted with most Americans and with most of our leadership.

When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property. -Thomas Jefferson

[XenaLee]

Good grief.  Get a grip, people.  Seriously.

[truth_seeker]

I actually am pleased with several things Trump has initiated and sadly the Left has me silently cheering for him in my inner self on several scores.

Good. I have read of others including detractors saying similar things.

 

[INVAR]

Not surprising, you completely skipped over the charge that I wanted you and the Democrats lined up and shot.

You need to read what I wrote again. 

I said you would fanatically CHEER a decree by Trump if he ordered Democrats rounded up and ordered them executed.

It's called illustrating the absurd adoration you have for Trump with the absurd to make a point.

Will you forever remain a blind acolyte of the man, or stand and defend the principles and law of the land he is supposed to uphold when he steps over that now-blurred line?

You've got issues, @INVAR   

Absolutely.

It's a shame.

It is. But I'm flesh.  Not a demi god.

[DCPatriot]

You need to read what I wrote again. 

I said you would fanatically CHEER a decree by Trump if he ordered Democrats rounded up and ordered them executed.

It's called illustrating the absurd adoration you have for Trump with the absurd to make a point.

Will you forever remain a blind acolyte of the man, or stand and defend the principles and law of the land he is supposed to uphold when he steps over that now-blurred line?

Absolutely.


It is. But I'm flesh.  Not a demi god.

Like hell you did.

How could the meaning  mean anything other that I am in glee at such a thought?

That's wrong on many levels.   Shame on you.

[EasyAce]

The sooner that you come to accept the Divine [sic] nature of Trump, the sooner you will know true peace.

Come. Be one with us. All hail the Great and Mighty Trump!

"Salami, Salami, Baloney"

[INVAR]

Like hell you did.

Okay, reading comprehension time.   Here, read it again:

We all know you don't give a rat's ass about the Constitution when winning and payback is what you repeatedly told us was all that mattered.   We fully expect you would be one who fanatically cheer Trump, even if he decided by decree to round up every single Democrat and have them publicly executed by firing squads for treason.

Clear it up any?  Or will you just knee jerk your offense at the suggestion?

How could the meaning  mean anything other that I am in glee at such a thought?

I don't know.  Would you be?

With all the comments you have made about payback, revenge, retribution and so forth - I assume you would justify and cheer Trump should he suggest something so absurd.

It's why I asked if you will forever remain a blind acolyte of the man, or stand and defend the principles and law of the land he is supposed to uphold when he steps over that now-blurred line?

That's wrong on many levels.   Shame on you.

Perhaps.  But then so too are posts celebrating payback by whatever means Trump utilizes. 

Recapturing our heritage and resetting justice back into harmony is not accomplished with a mindset of revenge and payback.

Especially the political kind.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I don't hate Trump, but I do despise the people who worship him and who, since apparently they don't have a golden calf to worship, have decided that an orange ass is a suitable substitute.

I can't remember reading so many insults in one sentence.  You obviously have been working on this for a while.  May I respectfully suggest you find another hobby.   

@chae 

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Like hell you did.

How could the meaning  mean anything other that I am in glee at such a thought?

That's wrong on many levels.   Shame on you.

That guy hits it hard every time he writes. Shut down another thread I was on when he couldn't handle it there, either.

[DCPatriot]

That guy hits it hard every time he writes. Shut down another thread I was on when he couldn't handle it there, either.

Awful.  His breaking down of a reply that way?   I scroll right on by.

Don't have time for that.

[240B]

I can't remember reading so many insults in one sentence.  You obviously have been working on this for a while.  May I respectfully suggest you find another hobby.   

@chae

They're all like that. According to the fanatical anti-Trump zealots, nobody supports Trump because he has good ideas and common sense. According to the fanatical NeverTrumpers, if you happen to agree with Trump's ideas, that means you "worship" him, which is an obvious insult.


I tend to either ignore this kind of poster or I make fun of them. It is impossible to try to reason with them because they are like people in a cult. They are so sure of how absolutely correct they are, that they will never listen to anything that conflicts with their preprogrammed beliefs.