Be a patriot
On Tyranny, chapter 19
Set an example of what America means for future generations.
Patriotism is not:
- dodging the draft then mocking war heroes
- discriminating against active duty members of the armed forces
- avoiding paying taxes
- asking taxpayers to finance one's campaign then spending the money with one's own companies
- admiring foreign dictators
- asking foreign leaders to intervene in American elections
- citing propaganda at political rallies
- sharing advisors with oligarchs
- appointing advisors with financial interests in companies under authoritarian rule
- referring to American soldiers as losers and suckers
- taking health care away from families
A nationalist might do all these things but a nationalist is not a patriot.
Patriots do:
- want the nation to live up to their ideals
- concern themselves with the real world
- have universal values by which they judge their nation
- wish for the nation to do better
Nationalists say it can't happen here. Patriots say it can and that we will stop it.