Are you proud to be an American?

Being proud of one's nation is not automatically a mindless activity. I have NOT done anyone a disservice, but such might have been done to me. I am proud despite the fact that the nation's leadership (both Left and Right) frequently makes me want to puke. I am proud because I have studied history and I know both what the United States has done by way of both right and wrong in this world. I am proud as a result of knowledge and not as a result of a presumed lack therein.

 

I agree. By the same would be true to all the racial pride jackasses.

 

If you are not proud to live here, why don't you move? Maybe the Middle East or China or Russia will give you that sense of pride that you don't have here. Sad...

 

Why did you start this when you already think that you know the answer. When someone does not share your Lib view, you pounce on them. People who are as unhappy as you, should probably move somewhere that has like-minded people.

 

I don't think so. He seems proud of his opinion. He just shouldn't tell everyone they are wrong because they don't think the same way. You have to understand that Obama has tried to squeeze that sense of pride out of the American people for over 6 years now. He may be able to succeed with some people like Daggdag, but presidents come and GO and my feelings will remain strong. I have love and pride for my country.

 

It's not just President Obama. When they were in office both Carter and Clinton also tended to infer that 'pride in one's nation' was equivalent to psychological rot. They were both waaaaaaaaaaaay more subdued and subtle than Obama in their sneering at the concept of patriotism, but it was definitely there and, mind you, Jimmy Carter was a former military officer. But there is something about the leftist perspective that tends to make most of its adherents somewhat ashamed of the concept of love of or respect for their own nation.

 

I have no social capital in other countries.

 

You are SO missing the point.

Nah man, I'm not gonna move - I'm gonna stand and fight.

How the hell can I feel pride in a broken system? Hm? ???

Our system is broken. You know it, I know it, and everyone else knows it too. Liberal and conservative alike. Rich and poor alike. (The rich take advantage of it, and the poor are on the butt end of it, and neither one of those things is supposed to happen).

I want to fix the system, and get it working correctly again, and that will give me pride.

It will give me great pride to help rebuild a working America. (IF such a thing is still possible).

It gives me f'in stomach ulcers whenever I look at the partisan brouhaha which is modern American politics. Nah man, there's nothing to be prideful about, at least in that part of the equation. Everything good about that happened years ago, and it's all going downhill fast.

Fix the system. That will restore American national pride.

 

IMO, until a person will admit that no one is entitled to food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, incomes or education at another's expense, they are not a true American.

 

I'm not proud of America anymore because Americans have decided that Democracy can be bought. If money=speech, then there's no Democracy, was supposed to be ONE PERSON=ONE VOTE, now it's ONE DOLLAR=ONE VOTE, and you get a Billion votes if you have that much to spend... How could you be proud of a BS place like that?

 

Yes, I am proud to be an American. We do and have done a lot of good in the world for people who would never help us in a time of emergency (I don't include our allies, which would help us), and I think our system of government is okay -- I'd prefer a constitutional monarchy like the UK.

 

I am proud to be an American because we protect the minority from the majority. We do not do it perfectly and in a number of cases said protection of minorities has been very belated but better late than never. I have been to three foreign countries and have found good and bad in all of them... just like I have with America.

 

No, I think all nations need to set aside their pride and join under some loose confederacy. I was born an earthling.

 

It is in this case, since the citizens directly contribute to the state via taxes and labor (among other things). So it could be argued that a citizen does have some affect on the success of a nation.

It is not the same as being born white because you cannot voluntarily stop being white. But someone born American can leave the country at any time they wish.

 

Good point. I too have done some world travel and have spent years inside Canada. The ideal of Canada in the minds of some Americans does not match the reality of Canada. There are some aspects of Canada I like more than America, but there are also some aspects of America that I like more than Canada.

 

Agreed. Citizens United is an aberration.

(Now you know why I call them the "Supreme Morons")....

 

Allow me to preface my comments by saying I am a British citizen and not resident in the US, neither am I a spokesman for Daggdag, so as you Americans so colourfully put it, I have no dog in this hunt.

I do not get the impression that he is doing anything other than giving an opinion upon the matter under discussion (much as you and I are presently doing,) which does not necessarily constitute 'telling everyone they are wrong'.

I think your genuine love of your country is both admirable and natural - to quote Sir Walter Scott; "Breathes there the man with soul so dead Who never to himself hath said This is my own my native land ..." However, I think I also understand the point Daggdag is making. I myself, love many of the physical environs, the social characteristics, and the familiar way of life of the society into which I was born, and I am aware of the many achievements (without which even your society would not exist) of that small, and natural-resource-impoverished island. However, for me, a full time student who has contributed nothing thereto, to express personal pride in those achievements, would not be entirely reasonable.

I also suffer some concern over expressions of nationalism (into which patriotism can often turn,) as I do not need to remind any educated person of the suffering which has ensued from excessive nationalism. It has been my good fortune to travel to many countries (albeit briefly) including your own, and I am aware of the many advantages and disadvantages offered in the various social and political systems extant. It is my firm conclusion that there is no such animal as 'the best country in the world' but we should not begrudge those qualities which do exist - the perfect is often the enemy of the good.

 

But America is the best country in the world.

It may be subjective but logically would you rather a world lead by Russia or the USA? Those are the only two realistic options.

As I told another English man who questioned American patriotism, NATO can defend against Russia without England, but it cannot defend against Russia without the United States. Toodaloo Lad.

 

Im proud because America can change, it doesnt stay the same, and for the most part the American people control that change.

its not like a theocratic muslim country, that strictly follows 1400 year old laws.

 

I am proud to be an American. If I were not, I wouldn't live here. I'd go to a safe place with 21st century laws, like Mexico. Mexico has some of the strictest gun control laws in the Americas. They seem to be doing swimmingly.

 

You do not need to be proud of something to love it. I love America, and being an American. I simply believe that pride should only be felt for achievements. If you were born an American, you did nothing to earn it, and as such, I feel that pride is unwarranted.

 

That's an interesting opinion. I see your point.

Ever watch the World Cup? Yes, I know soccer is really lame, but have you ever watched it? Have you ever seen the fans of every nation with glowing pride? Waiving their flags, painting their bodies their nation's colors....have you seen that?

What did they do to be so proud of where they come from? Nothing. They were born in their nation, and they are proud to have been born there.

Just as I am very proud to have been born in the greatest nation in the world.

 

pride


/prīd/


noun

noun: pride; plural noun: prides



1. a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.


Considering the above definition, I would say that being proud of being an American would be wholly consistent with the satisfaction associated with the achievements with whom one is closely associated AND satisfaction from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. I am not sure why you care enough to start a thread on the subject.

 

You can cheer for someone to succeed without needing to feel personal pride in their accomplishments, and show support for representatives of your nation, without needing to feel personal pride. I would not consider showing support for the US world cup team pride.

I do understand that many people define pride as something felt for the accomplishments of close friends and family, or people one admires, but I feel that this does not fit. I think another word needs to be thought up for that.

 

Name one country that doesn't change. And bare in mind, Saudi Arabia's theocracy is young and so is Iran.