Did the Boomers kill Patriotism?

A new poll shows that Boomers failed our country because up to 35% of their children, the “Mile Enders” do not believe in patriotism. A patriot is simply someone who loves their country. It takes no particular genius to realize that as we are flawed as people, whether by divine design or otherwise, our institutions of governance will be flawed as well. Nevertheless, we who are fortunate to live in our country are blessed. Our experiment in pursuing democracy, though flawed, is still the “shining
beacon” in world history. While too many on the Left spend their time cynically finding fault with our country, it is important to remember on our country’s birthday that there is much to celebrate, including the ability of our citizens to freely denigrate our great experiment. Thus, we have presidents who make “apology tours” concentrating on the alleged jingoism in our past; we have a press that disdains our traditions, including our commitment to religion; we have citizens who take every advantage of the largess our country provides while complaining that they are being discriminated against.

That there is often a basis for their complaints is not the point. The point is that as Americans we live in a society that allows us to recognize our faults and provides the institutions that allow us to strive for positive change. In recognizing that opportunity, we must also recognize that while some of us worry about “safe spaces” many more of us worry about our security. I recently watched a movie based on the book by Colonel Robert L. Scott who flew for the Flying Tigers in WWII, titled “God Is My Co-Pilot.” While the obvious patriotism displayed would turn the stomachs of the liberal elite, I found it refreshing to see the blatant patriotism displayed at a time when we were fighting a battle against forces that wanted to enslave us and wipe out
our way of life. The “greatest generation” hoped to continue that way of life, a life for us that would give greater opportunity to our children to grow up in peace and prosperity. The irony is that by largely achieving that goal, we’ve produced a society of entitlement junkies without the corresponding recognition that the largess we enjoy also carries with it the responsibility to
defend our way of life. “Patriotism” is not a bad word. It represents some of the best traits of who we are as proud Americans. Happy birthday U.S.A.