Dems Must Pass Patriot Test

0 Comments | Insight on the News, April 27, 2004

Byline: W.F. Walker Johanson, SPECIAL TO INSIGHT

Liberal Democrats always get so indignant when Republicans attack their positions. But instead of a policy-based defense, Democratic candidates invariably deflect those accusations by screaming, "How dare those dastardly Republicans question my patriotism!" And Republicans like the well-mannered gentlemen they were raised to be are always meekly backing down and saying that while they meant what they said, they didn't really mean to question their opponents' patriotism.

What silliness. Once again, this merely exposes how inept most Republicans are forever allowing the left to frame the debate. Because the truth is, we do question their patriotism!

We all know what it means to be patriotic:

* It means to believe that the United States is "the good guy" and not the enemy.

* It means to be genuinely proud of our military.

* It means to stand up, remove your hat, put your hand over your heart and sing along when the national anthem is played; and to realize what a tearful moment of joy it must have been for Francis Scott Key to see after a long night of horrific bombing (and as a POW on an enemy ship) that our flag was still there!

* It means to be willing to stand up and recite the Pledge of Allegiance (without making some snide remark).

* It means to understand why refugees from all over the world want to come to this country more than any other.

* It means to be proud of Columbus, to be proud of the Pilgrims, to be proud of our Founding Fathers and to be proud of our victory in World War II (over terrorists, I might add).

* It means to feel lucky (and blessed) that you're an American.

* It means to look disapprovingly on people who say negative things about America.

* It means to love newly arriving immigrants, but to want them to learn English and to become real Americans just like we are.

* And it means not to be embarrassed by all of the "schmaltzy" all-American patriotic stuff, such as Fourth of July parades, fireworks and Air Force flyovers during the Super Bowl.

But liberal Democrats don't share these feelings.

* They believe that America is "the bad guy" in the world.

* They scoff at those who join the military, and won't even let our own military recruit on our own public colleges and universities.

* They sometimes don't stand up when our national anthem is played and don't remove their hats or put their hands over their hearts unless, of course, a TV news crew has a camera on them.

* They're quick to find fault with the United States but equally quick to ignore the faults of other nations (on matters of pollution, women's rights, religious freedom, press censorship, free speech, etc.).

* They mock Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush and claim to be ashamed and embarrassed that American voters would elect such people, but were never ashamed or embarrassed by Bill or Hillary Clinton.

* They think America is the cause of much of the world's problems, rather than the solution to those problems.

* They think we're an international bully trying to impose our way of life on the rest of the world.

* They think we're too big, too rich and too powerful, and whine that this just isn't fair.

* They think that other nations (such as France, Iraq, Russia or China) have the moral high ground and that we are the immoral nation.

* They think the United Nations is a better governmental entity than the United States.

* They're aloof and elitist and scoff at small-town American values and look down at average Americans like you and me, who truly love America.

These liberal Democrats are not patriotic Americans. No matter how hard they try (like they're trying to do now with the word "marriage"), they can't change the definition.

In fact, the only reason they would ever wear an American flag lapel pin is to help them con naive Americans into thinking that they really are patriotic, in order to win votes. If they're wearing that pin, you can be sure that they're knowingly "winking" at one another, because under normal circumstances they would never wear such a pin, as it would be way too politically incorrect.

Those of us who believe in God, who believe in America's innate goodness, who believe in marriage and family, honesty and morality, and all of the other great things that America has always stood for are the patriotic Americans. And those who don't believe in these values simply are not. We all know this is true. And we get tired of hearing politicians, on both sides of the aisle, sidestep this no-brainer. Thank God for the average American who loves this country and who can see through this Democratic fog.

W.F. Walker Johanson is a managing partner for The Dumbarton Group, a global corporate advisory firm in Washington.His soon-to-be-published book is called The Top 50 (dirty little) Secrets About Higher Education in America...That Every Parent, Voter, & Taxpayer Should Know. Contact Johanson at walker.johanson@dumbartongroup.com.