This Independence Day weekend some friends of mine have been discussing patriotism, what it means to be American, whether they are proud to be Americans, what makes an ugly American, etc.
I haven't engaged in the discussion much because my thoughts on my patriotism are very conflicted. I AM proud to be an American. I love this country and so many things that it represents. I also hate a lot of things. First of all, I'm a pacifist. And something of a libertarian, if a socialist can be a libertarian. I hate war. Abhor it. And it makes me sick that we are engaged in a war for nothing more than commercial gain. I don't believe the hype. And even if I did I don't think it's our place to foist democracy on other people. If they come and ask for help, yeah, okay. That ain't how it went down. Now don't misinterpret that to mean I don't "support our troops." I'd just rather have them here, home, doing some good projects on the homefront, improving people's lives here, not risking their lives in order to kill other people. I don't believe in killing. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the bravery of people who are willing to put their lives on the line to fight for something they believe in, to save other people. I just don't think that's what's happening. This is a war fought to fuel, pun INTENDED, our greed and consumeristic ways.
Consumerism, we'll that's a battle I am fighting myself. Americans are desperately consumeristic and I/am/guilty. I'm trying, so in the spirit of my patriotism here is a celebration of my bounty -- my recognition that I don't need more than I have, my bowl(s) runneth over.
2 comments:
Wow, my feelings are very similar to yours! I feel obligated to spend money right now so other american's jobs aren't lost. Such a catch 22.
Yeah, an ironic twist, eh?
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