Many Americans decry dissent and protests as whats wrong with America. They feel we should all just go along with the Authorities of this Nation obediently and in unquestioning lockstep - like Nazi soldiers saluting the Fuhrer at a military parade. But thats not what America is about. Anyone who says AMERICA - LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT does not understand what America is - where it came from - or where it is going. America is a representative Democracy. A Republic. Our way is AMERICA - LOVE IT OR CHANGE IT - change it through dissent, questioning, non-violent protests and peaceful, legal elections of representatives that share your views. Some people have told me that if I dont just love America as it is - I should pack my bags and move to Russia - or Iran - or North Korea - just for questioning some of the crimes and injustices that sometimes happen in America. But why would I want to do that? Russia or Iran or North Korea doesnt give its citizens the right to dissent, to question, to protest. Why would I feel at home living under a totalitarian government when every fiber of my being is oriented to prevented my OWN Nations government from becoming totalitarian? Its easy - its lazy - its intellectually disingenuous to just tell everyone who doesnt agree with you to move away to another country and leave you alone in your unquestioning illusion - But thats not what America is all about. We do not just exile and exclude those we politically or religiously or philosophically disagree with. In America - we debate with them - argue - hash it out - peacefully, respectfully. We verbally duel - make our arguments and present our evidences. We protest - we turn our backs on our leaders when we disagree with them - we take to the streets with signs and banners and chant slogans. Why? Because those are the AMERICAN freedoms and rights that generation after generation of soldiers fought and died for on the battlefields all over the Earth - freedoms that so many people take for granted now. The truest form of patriotism is dissent - the highest form of American participation is to be what President Eisenhower called an informed and vigilant citizenry. Eisenhower warned that unquestioning patriotism and nationalism were the ENEMIES of true Democracy, not its hallmarks. Our Founding Fathers made it clear our duties as citizens were to question everything - political, religious and social institutions most of all. The German People of the Weimar Republic forgot these noble precepts - and because of it - they allowed a dictator to rise to the top of their political and socio-economic pyramid and enslave them in a fascist Government based on GERMANY! LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT! And we all know how that ended.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 11:42:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015