why did many americans remain loyal to "king and country", despite the danger to their lives?
118003
Without having been there I would say those on both sides ultimately chose based on which avenue would benefit them most.  The business class that felt the most impact of high taxes decided to fight against it, those who were more comfortable being subjects of the crown saw a loss of the status quo as being undesireable. The people in the middle were usually swayed by some kind of positive or negative experience either with the royal or continental army.\n\nIt's kind of the same way today that a large portion of people on government assistance don't raise a fuss over high taxes but the small business popultion does.  It all comes down to the cashola.
415117
Lethargy, mostly.\n\n"If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention," so says a popular bumper sticker.\n\nWhether we see it as a fundamental ailment or mere symptom, most people are largely ignorannt of political reality. Americans still believe they are free because they can vote. There is a bipartisan illusion that democracy is liberty itself and that state power is non-aggressive if checked every few years by majority vote; delusions. There will always be power-hungry people who wish to control. Most countries do not have a powerful Constitution like ours, designed to limit big gov't, and we have not protected ours, or enforced it, and it is back under dirty glass, hidden, unused. Have you even read it? It's only two or three pages, but most people don't know what it says. That is our only protector against the real evil: those that want to rule in a coherent force. What our forefathers designed is absent, and what they feared has happened. That is why you fear gov't.\n\nBut ignorance and fear do not a prudent democracy make. We do not vote for our Masters, who then obtain near absolute power. Instead of seeking representatives to safeguard our rights, people now seek strong leaders or saviors to redeem their lives and protect them from all harm. \n\nNobody is policing our government. We've lost interest, are lethargic, and want someone else to take care of running gov't for them. It is an end to the rights of the self-governed, when the self-governed won't govern themselves, or obtain real knowledge; not just media information. To become informed, involved, and really concerned takes effort, time, and the will to act.
429217
That is right, 100% correct. Many people say things but it is easier to say them than to do them. They can say many things but it is because that is not them in that position. I'm glad that there are people like you who understand  this.Yes you can be loyal to two countries. It is soooo sad that people say that they could do be only loyal to America and forget their native country if they were in this position, saying that is just a plain big lie. It makes me so angry seeing people saying , "yes I could do that" when in REALITY then know that they do not, could not, would not, do that, even if they say they can.\n It is just like speaking two languages, you can never forget your mother  because well, it is your mother language! You can happy, interested, grateful and proud of speaking the other language, and maybe you would even speak it more than your mother language but yet you can not forget the language in which you grew with. It is the same, You can be loyal to two countries, just like you can speak two languages, and many people could say that I'm comparing apples with oranges but I do not care because what  I have said is true. YOU CAN BE LOYAL TO TWO COUNTRIES.I wish I could get that through some people's brain.
231069
This country has been sold out to the highest bidder.  All the special interests have carved out their pieces of the country.  We live in a day and age where the motto is "cheat, as long as you don't get caught."  Personally, I abhore that motto, but I have personal pride which has nothing to do with my regional place.  With buthole history month, and equal this, and affirmative that, there is no room for a light skinned male american born in this country.  Every other group has their hand out, and the gov't is the biggest money sinkhole on the planet.  People come to this country and get pissed unless they get free stuff.  I've never gotten a free ride in anything, and don't really expect to.  It's gone to the dogs man.  All I  know is I have to live with myself, and act accordingly.  My ethics and "no cheating, lying, or stealing" is my choice.  I guess it isn't all that popular anymore.
1163376
The land that is known as America is the land of my ancestors, My people have always been here, we have lived and died here for as long as man has a memory. There is no place that I would go to. I would die defending my homeland. This is my country and I will not flee. A revolutionary sea captain said it best, I dont recall his name. " Give me liberty or give me death!"
796523
No, its not.  I think you give the American people too much credit.  There is not actually a very large difference between the people and the government.  Don't forget, this war began with a 70% public approval rating.  The vast majority of Americans favored starting the war.  Bush had a very high approval rating until recently, and disapproval of the war is only growing now that people realize it was a mistake.  Unfortunately its the public opinion before the war which matters more.  I am American and I find that many Americans do approve of American foreign policy.  It might be because I live in the south, but many people are further to the right than Bush is.  There are many people that would make Bush look like a moderate dove.  In a country that prides itself on democracy, you can only separate the people and the government so much.  The government is responsible to the people, and when the government does bad things, it is either through the will or the apathy of the people.  In either case, the public of a democracy share the moral responsiblity.
599744
they are still there because they beleive that america has the moral right, and an economic and political interest to win this war. the reality is, they dont and they wont!
464243
The Confederacy---most believe believe they stood for slavery, when in fact the common soldiers could  not even afford to own slaves, only the rich Southerners. They would not be willing to die for something they'd never even be able to have.  The everyday commoners fought for state's rights, which  is a better form of government in my opinion than a strong federal government because it is more localized and small scale.  Think about it....people in rural South Carolina have, on average, totally different beliefs and ways of life than people in Los Angeles or NYC.  We would've been much better off.
923546
I hear that.  I find it ironic that our country was founded by people who spoke out against the establishment, and yet now we are faced with an administration that claims that if we don't think, speak and act like them we are against them and giving comfort and safe harbor to the terrorists.  BS!  I love this country - if I didn't I wouldn't be so concerned about its current direction.  I am a Patriot.  I'm also a huge fan of thinking for myself.   Bottom line - you are not a traitor.
88275
As a child, I remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on a daily basis up to a certain point - exactly what year we stopped escapes me at the moment, however. I don't have a problem with that - as a United States citizen, I don't mind the occasional exercise in patriotism.\n\nHowever, before it can be taught in schools (if ever), there needs to be a consensus on how the concept is presented. The last thing I'd want is some stereotypical militant white supremacist or some disenchanted cynic teaching the course or devising the curriculum.\n\nHow's *that* for a somewhat-less-than-concrete answer? Truthfully, I hate any type of mind control methods, but we have the choice of whether or not to stay here - if we choose to stay, then we should exercise some loyalty and respect for the Constitution and the laws of the land. However, recognizing our freedoms includes speaking up when things are going wrong and need to be changed - being a true patriot means you want the bad things changed and not for anyone to be stuck with the "America: love it or leave it" idiocy.
13591
Most Americans have great respect for everyone who is rational, productive, and self-sufficient. This also means anyone who does you harm should be served justice in the interest of protecting free principles.\n\nThe problem is that everyone BUT Americans seem to eat up whatever the media says, or they lack the education to realize that Americans are like any other human being. We live for our happiness and productive achievement, and we highly value our liberty and security.\n\nAny actions we take are a result of that love for freedom and that moral pursuit. We do not tolerate socialism, facism, or totalitarianism, but rather open and mutually beneficial relationships and trade.
100570
My answer is not going to be liked but.......Americans are self absorbed and greedy. They are a fast food, drive through pharmacy, no time to breath culture that has no respect for anything that does not prersonally effect them. They refuse to see the rest of the worlds struggles. Yes I am American but wow, how this country has gotten this way I don't know. When the bombing happend in England, I heard people say..."that was no 9-11 though" Absolutely ridiculous, death is death and struggle is struggle. There have been terroristic holy wars for decades that people refuse to see unless it is in their back yards. My opinion, agree or not.
883481
No matter what the people of the United States  stayed the course and  backed the troops
54458
Its not just about money, some just want the status quo to continue, others want to see change happen for safety reasons.  Overall, people are just scared no matter what and war usually makes people think about their own mortality and how precious life can be.  Then there are those that believe in standing up and supporting the country that gave them freedoms that otherwise they wouldn't enjoy elsewhere.  I was anti-war while in high school but I ended up joining the Army and spent the best 5.5 years in my life.  I would do it again if I could.  But I learned also that those that have been to war, don't want it to happen again but they realize that sometimes war is the only answer, talking doesn't always solve it.
833444
It is an isolationist attitude much like that of America pre WWII.  Hitler had conquered Europe and N Africa minus the UK and Japan had dominated the Asian front, yet nobody in America wanted to commit money or troops to war.  History repeats itself often.  The same thing happened during the Revolution.  Our Army nearly starved to death during winters at valley forge and morristown because of the lack of local support, it was only after the war was won the Americans took credit for their loyal trust in support of the war effort.  Civil War identical, see how Lincoln trampled the constitution to get things done in order to win.  Anyway whether we win against terrorism is purely whether the people wake up from their long slumber and fight for their liberty.  I hope an American City doesn't have to be destroyed before we wake up and take action.
787811
Check out the underground in the former Soviet Union and in China. We already know how a society reacts to it.  Some live with it and go on with the establishment, and others risk their lives for freedom.\n\nIn America today, most would follow the status-quo rather than make a sacrifice.  Others will pay a horrible price to fight for their freedoms.\n\nSue
588911
I agree with with you...those who live in this country and are not proud to be an American are not in their right mind. They are FAR LEFT in their thinking. Thank God there are sane people like you and I who are happy to be on the RIGHT side of things. For all those America hatin, tree huggin hippy people out there..get real...this nation is great. Though no single nation is perfect in everything, America is BY FAR the greatest nation there is. I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN, WHERE AT LEAST I KNOW I'M FREE...AND I WONT FORGET THE MEN WHO FOUGHT WHO GAVE THAT RIGHT TO ME....\n\nThere aint no doubt I love this land...God Bless the USA!!!