In 2003, performing at a concert in London, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks famously criticized the Iraq war and said, “We’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.” [1] As the country reacted, I remember comments about patriotism and questions about why it was a big deal anyway.
What does it mean to be a Patriot and does it really matter?
I know and have heard of a number of people who have, or are planning to leave the state of Washington to escape the politics here, in search of a more sane and conservative state government. I have considered it myself as I watch Seattle self-destruct and the whole state suffers through the draconian restrictions the governor imposes upon us to subdue COVID-19. I held onto some hope as Loren Culp signs were erected seemingly everywhere in the state, hoping that the number of Culp votes would overwhelm the Democrats ability to “find” votes on election day. I am weary of Governor Inslee’s junk science and his fear mongering as he claims he is working for the people in Washington State. Government’s primary job is to protect and maintain individual rights. When he allows Seattle to be overrun by anarchists and then fences the state public buildings bringing in the National Guard to keep people out, he is not working to protect us. It is no wonder people are leaving the state.
I have been revisiting the US Constitution, learning about the history and the people who worked to bring the principles of government together. A name I do not remember hearing about is Dr. Benjamin Rush. He said, “Patriotism is as much a virtue as justice, and is as necessary for the support of societies as natural affection is for the support of families.” He also said, “The amor patrias (love of country) is both a moral and a religious duty. It comprehends not only the love of our neighbors but of millions of our fellow creatures, not only of the present but of future generations.”
I often hear people on stage, especially musicians, say, “Love you guys!” and I wonder what in the world that means. According to Benjamin Rush, it means they are patriots. They love the country and are willing to sacrifice for it. They work and serve to protect the rights and freedoms we’ve been granted “in order to form a more perfect union.” It means they want what is best for their neighbors, understanding that working for their neighbor’s well-being will benefit their own family.
I don’t believe that is what all of them meant when they said, “I love you guys!” I think some people simply want to be nice, and convince themselves that simply being nice, or having your fans believe you are nice, will somehow make the world a better place. That is naïve. We have benefitted from patriots of generations before us who sacrificed for the love of country. We have inherited a government where we can own property and build a business, protected by the laws of the country and state. We could never have achieved the inventions and conveniences without such a system of order and regulation. We have largely taken that for granted. The principles of order are in need of being revisited and reinforced, if we are to reclaim our state to common sense principles of freedom. It must happen for the benefit of our children and the generations to follow. It requires our recommitment to, and fulfilling our duty as patriots. That is how we love our family and our neighbor.
Let me suggest to you that in allowing the anarchists to burn and loot Seattle, it is not an act of loving our neighbor. It is not justice. It is not being a patriot. If we are to reclaim Washington State to the principles stated both in the US Constitution and the Washington State Constitution, it will be through a return to the principles of freedom, it will be to rediscover what it means to be a patriot.
I am not saying it will be easy. It will cost you. Is your freedom worth fighting for? Are you willing to join us…or are you moving?
Written by Steve McCoy, staff writer for The New Patriot PNC ~ February 7, 2021