Many men have died in battle for the values their countries represent to them. Proudly these men and women put their lives on the line in the face of danger. Many without questioning why they are doing so, because to question why they are trading their lives would be to question the very government that put their lives in danger. These men and women are considered patriots because they selflessly give their lives for ideals they uphold. They face danger in the name of ideals their country espouses. Are their deaths worth the price they pay for society? Is it worth being considered patriotic to their country? 

Patriotism once meant something more than wearing a flag pin on a hat or putting a “Bring our troops home,” magnet on the bumper of the car. When the word patriot is used names such as Patrick Henry, John Adams, and Paul Revere come to mind. These were men who fought hard for a country they believed could be civilized, and separate, from the control of other countries. Patriotism was standing against tyranny and being true to a cause. That word has been misrepresented in the current societal mind frame. Patriotism is a word to describe backing up what you believe in and being proud of being a part of that something. Patriotism was in the hearts of men and never had to be forced upon an individual, it was an honor. 

Patriotism is now a tool the government uses to guilt those who do not believe what government agenda is. Is it patriotic to encourage the deaths of fellow citizens - many very young with lives and futures ahead of them - for the causes a politician preaches to the public? Half of the rhetoric spewed from the lips of politicians is complete propaganda, sugar-coated to ensure that constituents do not question what is being done in the name of patriotism. Questioning is not necessary if a leader says it needs to be done, or so it seems. If the causes don’t match the reason a country goes to war with another country, the politician makes up another reason for going into that country.

For instance, if a country goes into another country to control mineral or fossil fuel rights, and have a foothold in a far corner of the globe, it can’t be the reason for going or the public would be outraged. So the politician finds other reasons to go to war. Humanitarian rights is a common reason. The country being invaded has a tyrannical leader that doesn’t respect women. Even though that country has held the same values for centuries it is now a major priority to invade and topple the tyrant. The country is then Democratized in the name of all that is right, their culture is molded to become the same as the invading countries who “set them free,” and mineral rights and fossil fuel become a fringe benefit. And this is false patriotism. 

Patriotism requires a few elements which have been lost in translation over the past sixty years in America. America has used the pride of her citizens to political advantage by guilting them into believing everything done is for the better, and that isn’t so. Pride was once what America took to heart. This country was worth fighting for, to the death, and anyone would give their lives with no questions asked, this was true patriotism. Politics changed that for the worse. Patriotism was exploited and used as a media tool to shame anyone who protested against poor decisions made in the name of freedom. Freedom is earned it is said, at what cost, and who does the earning? Pride is what patriotism is based on. 

Is America proud that it manipulates wars using their Central Intelligence Agency and then creates reasons to transform a foreign country into her pawn? By complying with everything the government says is not patriotism, though anyone speaking out is considered un-patriotic. Freedom of speech is one of the freedoms fought for by the people of America. But to rally against death in the name of political gain is considered un-patriotic. Standing for a countries founding principles and moralistic view is patriotism. Speaking out against sending young people to early death for the right to own an oil supply is patriotic. It is patriotic to use freedom of speech to question why something is done, to maintain a societies pride and moral views, asking why should not be considered un-patriotic. People who speak up are considered rebellious, they are accused of conspiring against the decisions made by a few people in suits (some of whom will never see a battlefield) who send the poor to fight their battles. Speaking out is more patriotic than following blindly.

By questioning a politicians illicit acts and perpetual lying to the public an individual is more patriotic, they care enough about their country being misled by those in power to stand up and protest. Then they are considered as un-patriotic by the media, which is far from true. For those protesters to stand up for what they believe in it took true patriotism. They may not have a pin on their hat, or a magnet on their vehicles rear-end, but they care enough to voice their opinions. This is patriotism, questioning what the government is doing, questioning why soldiers are led to slaughter under false pretenses. If war was not about money there would be no war. Is money the root of patriotism? No, money is not the root of patriotism, nor is being the sheep which is desired over the person who has the guts to stand against the lie. 

As a social value, patriotism is now a tool of the media. Patriotism is profit for the magnet makers and pin makers. Patriotism is a way to oppress those who speak out against their countries undignified manner. Being patriotic in the eyes of government is being a part of the crowd and not questioning anything. That was not what Patrick Henry, or John Adams, or Thomas Jefferson would have thought, these were true patriots, men who believed in what was right for the people, not what was right for a wallet.