Do you put your hand over your heart during the National Anthem?

[CajunBlazer]

51. Are We Democrats Not True Americans?

Are we liberals not Patriotic? You quit holding your hand over your heart because Bush was lying? What in the heck does one thing have to do with the other. Presidents come and go and have for 225 years. We obviously will not agree with every President's politics, and yes some of them have lied. Some were also guilty of even more serious offenses like wasting the lives of our people in needless wars, but they are not the country. They are just temporarily in charge.

Yes, Republicans like to wrap themselves in the American flag, but it doesn't belong to them, it belongs to all of us. They seem to think they are the only ones that are patriotic; we should prove them wrong. Ours was the first modern democracy and no country puts more emphasis on individual liberties. One of the cornerstones of the Progressive movement is the fight for individual rights for all citizens as contrasted to the group think of conservatives. As liberals and democrats we have every right to be proud of our country and the flag which is its symbol so why don't we act like it.

I for one am proud to be an American and I served in its military. When I was a Boys Scout I learn proper flag etiquette and care. Both organizations taught me lessons I will never forget. When I hear the national anthem I sometimes think about our founding fathers who put their very lives on the line to build a country where the people could rule themselves, where they could be free from oppression. When hear the national anthem I always think of the men and women who died so can be free today. Yes, some of them died in wars with which we did not agree or considered unjust, but they gave their lives for us never the less. For that sacrifice they should be remembered and honored.

I would hope that all Americans would stand straight and tall with right hand over the heart, as is proper, when the anthem is played because we are all Americans, and we should be rightfully proud of our heritage and who we are today. If for some reason we are not satisfied with our country we should honor it never the less because it gives us the opportunity correct whatever plagues us if we but work hard enough. That's the American way.

Have a great 4th of July.