Why does being patriotic and supportive of my country make people angry?
824663
I used to be a missionary in India, and I can tell you I understand where you are coming from.  Just remember that people are the sum of their experience.  All you can do is stay firm to your own beliefs and ideals, while respecting OTHER'S views as well.  If you do that, you'll find that most people worth having a relationship with will respect you back.
383248
NeoCons and many other less radical kinds of people will think that they are not Anti-American but rather Patriotic Americans sticking up for America, against those wishy-washy "liberal" dumb butts.\n\nIt totally escapes them, of course, that they confuse patriotism with chauvinism, which is a prejudiced belief in the superiority of one's group or kind and a fanatical glorification of one's country.  Such people are not influenced by reason or common sense, and it is largely hopeless to talk to them.\n\nBut there is value in accurately describing them and pinning the correct labels on them: chauvinist, unthinking, hate-mongering rabble rousers hiding behind a patriotic facade.
184957
yes,just, show respect. i respect the people for going out there and protecting their country and their beliefs. i myself hate war and wish we could find more peaceful resolutions to all the problems we have managed to get into, but that wish is unrealistic and those people that go out there and fight have came to that conclusion too and are doing something about it.\n\nand if that is still too close to supporting war, then think of each individual person and dont think of them as a soldier. support them for being brave, independent and strong and not for fighting.
229549
I'm proud to be an American, but i do not share the same views as most of my fellow country men. it is wrong for the media or any one else for that fact to blame an entire county for what a few people do. no matter what country you come from now we all started in the same place. made by the same God. most of us wish to help other countries while still some Americans want to fight and go to war. the only time i believe god would approve of was is if it were to protect the innocent. fighting to conquer or revenge is just plain wrong. God didnt put us here to kill each other.
1039448
i feel more patriotic.\nbecause that is when we won our counrty's freedom.\n\ni love this country.\nbut i hate what this adminitration is doing to it.\n\ni am going to a protest all of the weekend AND on of july 4th, because i love this country so much, and i will NOT sit back and let someone ruin it.
291797
Not all of us are not proud to be americans.  Many people aren't because they have a feeling of self-loathing that america is the most fabulous nation in the world.  They feel it's unfair that america is prosperous, powerful, and happy. They ease their minds by making all of the world's problems america's fault.  I can say that I still am proud to be American.  Can you?
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!!!
446187
Patriotism obviously represents many things to many people.  To me, it is the understanding of our historical roots in the context of the our political system and supporting it as the best approach for mankind.
566233
I think so, this is the United States of America, if you're in this country flying and marching under foreign colors, and otherwise maintaining allegiance to some other state, maybe you want to reconsider...I think americans are tired of having foreign flags waved contemptuously under their noses, if you want to anger the majority of actual bona-fide american citizens, just keep it up...
783769
GREAT question. Especially since so many countries do not allow their native citizens to talk badly about them.\n\nTo me, the fact that Americans enjoy so many freedoms and opportunities for wealth causes others to be jealous of us. The jealousy is often expressed through bashing. For me the proof that America is a great country is reflected by the number of people who try so hard to get here. If this country and its citizens were as bad as the people bashing it thought, we wouldn't have the illegal immigration problems, nor would so many people make the effort to come here to live legally, or to become naturalized citizens.
742682
Sometimes I feel embarrassed by our President, because he poorly represents us. Other than that, I don't feel overly proud or embarrassed. In fact, the only time my patriotism rears its head is when others attack our nation and I defend it. No fourth of July barbecue, no nothing.
1163314
It is your duty as a citizen of a democracy to be questioning of your nation, and criticising when you think it is appropriate. \n\nTo be blind to the errors that your own country makes abroad is very dangerous, especially if a large number of people also do this.\n\nUnless it's during the World Cup, which is an ideal (and relatively harmless) outlet for nationalism and the dislike of other nations.
1163411
I'm thankful I live in my country. My pride only extends to things that I or my loved ones have accomplished. To feel pride for a country means that you feel that the people of that country are superior to the other people of the world, which is xenophobic and ignorant. I am, however, pleased to benefit from the democratic system our forefathers (whom I would not blame at all for being proud of their work) constructed. And I am proud of myself for participating in this democratic system by voting and by making my voice heard, even when it is in opposition to the current administration.\n\nI am not, however, proud of the actions of the current administration. I am ashamed and embarrased of them. In fact, I consider it my duty and my right to fight for our democratic system and our liberties by opposing anyone who tries to destroy them, even if that is the President himself.\n\nPatriotism isn't about blind obedience. It's about doing what's necessary to make sure your country makes the right choices and goes in the right direction. Those who remain silent in the name of patriotism as their leaders cheat, lie, and swindle not only our own people but the rest of the world should be ashamed, not proud, of their behavior.
740649
In America, healthy patriotism is standing up for rights and the rights of others; exercising political power by voting for the candidates and propositions you feel best reflect your opinions; and respecting others even though you disagree with their politics and opinions.  \n\nDefending your country from threats in times of war and in times of peace is very patriotic; but not everybody is qualified to serve in the military.  Thank You to everybody who has or is still defending my rights.
647788
I will agree hate is a strong word but there are reasons there is anger at the US government.  But for most people this does not extend to citizens.\n\nDuring the cold war The US government and USSR were opertunists.  Using other countries during the cold war to gain an advantage.  Trying to gain the advantage by placing military bases in countries around the Soviet Union and US then making promises to the other countries, of what they will do for these countries if they helped in the cold war.  Though the US saw few casulties of the cold war many other countries around USSR and places like CUBA were activly at war to protect their boarders because the US or USSR  had bases there.  \n\nAfter the war the US failed to follow through with most of the promises it made and many of the countries that were fighting during the cold war still face hostility.  These wars are blamed on the US and USSR.  THese countries see the US grandstanding and sending money to all the European countries.  While refusing to make good on their promises to them it gets them upset.  \n\nOn top of that there is the problem that they US plays world police and is hypocritical.  Saying it is ok for some countries to have nuke power but not others.   This is just a few of the reasons but there are many.
772849
Patriotism is ONLY the love for one's country.  It has nothing to do with what you believe in politically.  People have turned the word patriot into something that means that if you are a patriot then you are always right.\n\nDo you love America?  The country, not necessarily the government.  Do you love America?  If the answer is yes then, congrats, you're a patriot.  It's that simple.  Don't let politically inclined fools tell you you're not a patriot because you believe in anything else.  All patriotism deals with is love for one's country, ok?
1017806
You also rarely hear your national anthem.  We are a country that is proud of every aspect of it.  We fought for what we have.  We live in a society that teaches us to be proud of where we live and respect where we are from.  The flag is a symbol of our freedom.  It is way more than just a flag to us.  I realize that is something that you may not understand.  The stars and stripes of the flag all represent something.   The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies and the 50 stars represent the 50 states.  It isn't "just a flag" it is a symbol of who we are and how we got to be that.  :)