Cross-posted from The Washington Times Communities
“America is the greatest, freest and most decent society in existence. It is an oasis of goodness in a desert of cynicism and barbarism. This country, once an experiment unique in the world, is now the last best hope for the world.” –Dinesh D’Souza
No other country compares the United States. Boundless freedoms and opportunities are afforded to every American. Moreover, our laws, customs, and traditions have captivated and equally lured many people here.
Who can deny how great this country is?
My family and I watched fireworks this past weekend in South Orange County and were appalled by the poor display of patriotism there. Few people rose for the Pledge of Allegiance. Many abstained from singing “God Bless America” and the National Anthem.
Will the unapologetic, patriotic Americans please stand up to the Americans in Name Only (AINOs)?
On June 30, 2011, U.S. News and World Report released a study from Harvard University revealing that Republicans are more patriotic than Democrats:
“The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century…Fourth of July celebrations in Republican dominated counties may thus be more politically biased events that socialize children into Republicans,”write Harvard Kennedy School Assistant Professor David Yanagizawa-Drott and Bocconi University Assistant Professor Andreas Madestam.-
Sadly, anti-Americanism is emboldened by lawmakers and government officials.
Immediately after President Obama was elected, the Department of Homeland Security issued a report classifying “right-wing extremists” as terrorists. Toting a Bible, revering the Constitution, and being patriotic were deemed “dangerous” in the April 7, 2009 report:
Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.
The Pledge of Allegiance and the Constitution are similarly attacked by progressives who are offended by their very existence.
American flag on Ellis Island (Photo: Laverrue (Flickr))Fox News recently reported that Eugene, Oregon mayor Kitty Piercy found the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at council meetings “divisive”:
“If there’s one thing the flag stands for,” Piercy says, “it’s that people don’t have to be compelled to say the Pledge of Allegiance or anything else.”
According to President Obama, the Constitution “is a charter of negative liberties.”
Moreover, John Hayward of Human Events wrote about the Democrats’ objections to reading the Constitution as the 112th Congress convened:
Democrats howl in agony when the Constitution thwarts their designs… The Left doesn’t love the First Amendment any more than the rest of the amended Constitution, although they enjoy folding it into a paper airplane and throwing it into the eyes of uppity Christians.
Nevertheless, some on the Left are disillusioned by this behavior.
In May, Tucsonans United for Sound Districts’ Loretta Hunnicutt—a liberal Democrat—exposed La Raza studies in her local school district. The Blaze further revealed how this program violates Arizona law:
But the school superintendent also wants to reevaluate the entire program (and possibly get rid of the class),* in part because it advocates the overthrow of the U.S. government… According to him, the Mexican-American Studies Program was found to include all of the below elements that are banned by state law:
- Promote the overthrow of the United States Government
- Promote resent toward a race or class of people.
- Are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic group.
- Advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of pupils as individuals.
Americans in Name Only (AINOs) are undermining this nation’s sacred documents, laws, and traditions. It is imperative to preserve this uniqueness at all costs.
To the malcontents here in the United States: Love it or leave it.
