I can't tell you how many liberals talk in disparaging, sarcastic tones about the US. They mock it in the truest sense of the word. The true patriots in the United States, however, dismiss the relativism that says that the US does not and cannot have moral authority in the world, that it is no better than any other country, and the sense of pessimism that denies that there is any altruism in national politics. True patriots (such as Ronald Reagan) believe their country is an exceptional one, and believe it must be protected, promoted and celebrated. Of course the USA is not perfect, and most everyone recognizes that. That is true of any human institution. More important than lamenting its faults and mocking its blunders however is protecting that which is great about America. It is the city on a hill and more than perhaps any country in the world has freedom built into its national character in the deepest sense. Liberals find themselves unable to shamelessly praise America in this way, and this is why they are less patriotic.

To all the people who are about to call me a brainwashed conservative zealot spewing empty rhetoric, I'm Canadian and have never lived in the US--I truly believe I objectively recognize how incredible it is as a country.

Stephen Harper, Is that you? Shouldn't you be screwing something in Canada up?

If the US is such a supremely great country than why are people in Canada (and iceland and denmark...etc.) happier than americans?

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The pursuit of perfection means focusing on where things can be improved. Do liberals do this too often? Sometimes. There's definitely a segment that scoffs at the U.S. the way you say, and they are idiots, just like preachers like Falwell calling us the home of the wicked are idiots. Forgive us if we don't spend enough time appreciating what we have, but I hope you recognize that we are driven by a belief that we can be better (definitions on that, of course, vary), and that is not a bad thing.

Oh.......You just hurt my feelings...a lot. I'm a Pittsburgh girl and I love my country and I AM very patriotic and I am a democrat (prob. on the moderate side). I have been known to cross the party lines t vote for whom I think is the better candidate. Also, right now, I have my flag flying at my house, decorated and I still send packages to the soldiers. I feel deeply that just because you dissent or disagree with whatever the government may or may not do, absolutely does not mean your unpatriotic. I mean democracy and debate is what America is all about I think. I am hurt and offended when that is an assumption. Its really unfair. You can't clump people all together and make a blanket judgment. That is a fallacy --that conservatives are more patriotic. Please don't assume that because its hurtful and just not true.

Republicans are better at nationalism and confuse it with patriotism all the time.

Patriotism is working to make your country better.

Nationalism is flying flags, holding parades, and kissing he prezs ass.

Need a reference? Nazi Germay.

You are so right, RML. Conservatives never understand the difference between patriotism and nationalism. A patriot is someone who loves his country so much that he will fight to keep it following its ideals. A true patriot wants America to keep the moral authority to act in the world and in order to do that, we must stick to our ideals and not jettison them when things get scary. So yes, a patriot will say, no to torture and no to taking away our freedoms just because a guy with a flag pin on his lapel says it's good for us.

A nationalist is more like a lemming, willing to follow the leaders over a cliff just because they wave a flag in his face.

Oh and P.S. I don't just fly my flag let me be clear. I have a project created (my own website) to help make the world a better place. Does that count too?

First, I do admit that America is imperfect and agree that it's good to try to improve it. But that wasn't my point. Many liberals find it difficult to make a positive statement such as "The US is better than other countries." This stems from their inherent relativist perspectives. You could argue that this is nationalism, but it is an arguable point that the US is objectively better, and that this patriotism is not blind.

Second, I apologize if you are a patriotic liberal. God bless you, but I still believe conservatives are in general more patriotic.

Happy Independence Day!

First, I do admit that America is imperfect and agree that it's good to try to improve it. But that wasn't my point. Many liberals find it difficult to make a positive statement such as "The US is better than other countries." This stems from their inherent relativist perspectives.

##### You mean inherent intellegent perspectives. You dont get these perspectives at birth-you develop them with experience and education. You also see to think we should say "America is the Greatest" like being a country is being a sports team. We are NOT the greatest in many areas. Does this mean I dont love my country for admitting this? Not at all. I love America and do all I can to help us improve and to protect us from our REAL enemies-namely ignorance and increasing poverty-we are rapidly losing our middle class.

You dont need to travel far to see the differences between the US and other countries either. For instance I travel to Canada frequently on business and over the years have made many Canadian friends-I understand their way of life and Ive seen the beauty of their country-their country has no interest in putting bases all over the planet or in forcing others to bend to their way of thinking-and they are no less proud of their country. They also dont have a problem with other people loving their home country (look at the US where the Irish fly the flag of Ireland with the stars and stripes,etc). Keep in mind that in almost every way Canada and the USA are similar-right down to when the country was first settled (the USA/England invaded Canada and tried to take it during the French and Indian War). Our two countries are intertwined in a host of ways. But you watch the news up there and that is where the differences are made so very clear-the lead story is rarely a murder-they focus on the good they do as a country (including fighting terror in Afghanistan). They talk about the country-and I mean the country-all the time-Canadians know what their country is doing. They are much more tuned in to what their country is about than we are-they are better educated too-and today their dollar is worth more than ours. But does that mean I dont love my country? Not at all.

"You could argue that this is nationalism, but it is an arguable point that the US is objectively better, and that this patriotism is not blind."

##### Well no. It isnt an argument at all. Flag pins, red white and blue this and that, and screaming "we're number one" are all displays of nationalism. A patriot is working to make the country a better. A nationalist displays for outward appearance. There are stories from EVERY country about their heroes flying the flag in face of adversity or "doing it for England/country and queen" or "Viva La France" etc. These are all nationalism. Nationalism isnt blind-it signles out those who dont join it and calls them unpatriotic.

"Second, I apologize if you are a patriotic liberal. God bless you, but I still believe conservatives are in general more patriotic."

##### Believe what you want-if you say it enough times or hear it enough times (and you will since you probably listen to Rush Limbaugh or other propaganda channel) you will believe it. But a REAL patriot can point to more than their displays-they can list their actions in terms of real improvements made to their nation. Yes, defense of our nation is part of that-veterans can rightfully point to their service BUT the leaders of wars started without legit reasons (anything after Korea really) have put a cloud over that and an asterix in the history books. I will NEVER disrespect our troops but I will also believe that those who lied to start Vietnam and Iraq are traitors to this nation and that includes George W Bush and Dick Cheney-and I will always believe that in the next life they will have to answer to over 3500 dead US troops and over 100,000 Iraqis.

I definitely disagree that 'inherent relativist perspectives' really indicates intelligence. Relativism in international politics is relatively new and his been responsible for foreign policies like those of Jimmy Carter and the current societal Stockholm Syndrome that has left us unable to deal directly with the political Islamic threat. All I am saying is that we have to assert ourselves as better than others sometimes, no matter how hard it may be.

I live in Canada, I know all about how life is here. I've also been to the US a ton, and all around it. I agree, they are very similar. But the news is of lesser quality in Canada, if you want to argue that. Again, the networks shy away from bold statements of value. It is important to Calgarians whether that "father murders daughter" was Muslim, because in that case it was probably an honor killing, and represents a different threat. Also, I wouldn't say we're better educated. Our education systems are certainly more biased (I just graduated high school). I never had a social studies teacher who was pro-capitalism. The whole theme of our school experience seemed to have to involve "embracing diversity", or "ending poverty" or some other leftist piety. When we studied history, I became convinced (until I read other books) that Canadians had gone and burned the White House in the War of 1812. And the US policy of assimilation is far better than the Canadian one of multiculturalism. Here we have long-time immigrants conspiring to behead the Prime Minister, and the government spends millions of tax dollars promoting foreign cultures. The result is a relative cultural vacuum. Canada has almost no unique culture.

Don't characterize my position as "flag pins, red white and blue this and that". I don't even do that. The extent of that in my life is owning one small US flag, which I don't even keep on display. I agree, the symbols aren't crucial. But I am saying that believing your country is the greatest is central to patriotism.

I don't listen to Rush Limbaugh, or any conservative talk radio. I don't watch Fox News, ever. My conservative "propaganda" intake is limited to a few blogs. Obviously I read Slate, which is slightly left-leaning. I also read my local paper and the National Post, and watch CNN and CTV news. Again, I think my position is relatively unbiased.

"All I am saying is that we have to assert ourselves as better than others sometimes, no matter how hard it may be"

This is exactly the mentality of Adolph Hitler and of the slave owning argument made in the US south for centuries. The idea that since your values and your culture are better than others they NEED to be treated as inferior.

Mutliculturalism is a good thing especially in a nation of immigrants. In fact during WWII, the Japanese believed that the US could be easily defeated because of our multiculturalism-at the same time the Germans believed the Jews were infererior-the result was welcomed the Jews into the USA and the majority of the Manhatten Project scientists who would have been German scientists had Hitler welcomed Jews became our strongest weapon in the war.

As to not having a Canadian culture (or an American one for that matter) both nations welcome immigration and other cultures-right there is something unique to be valued. I know you are young an inexperienced so I wont lambaste you for the closed minded conservative thinking you show (normally seen here in the states). If you want to see more Canadian culture, take a trip to Ottawa or see the sights in Washington DC and learn about the US culture-not all of which is pretty but even this liberal finds the story of the US to be a great one.

My point is you dont have to be BETTER than others. In the end being BETTER than others will only get you killed because for one to be BETTER the others are expected to assume a lower status and who wants to be that? Do you honestly think a peaceful Muslim wants to hear you say he is inferior simply for being Muslim?

When I go to Montreal I see all kinds of interesting cultures in a single city. The music alone is a beautiful buffett of sounds-the food selections range across most continents.

My advice to you is to travel. Dont believe yourself better than others but rather believe yourself to be one important piece of a very large puzzel. Discover the others and appreciate what they bring to the table. Yes, there are some real bad people in the world, but this is never determined by their ancestory, their color, or their religion.

Want Proof?

BTK Killer, a Christian Deacon in the US Bible Belt

Mura Federal Building Bomber, Tim McVeigh, a US soldier and conservative extremist

MCI Worldcomm BILLIONS fraud--The CEO was a born again christian who held Bible studies at his corporate HQ. He bilked his own employees and stockholders out of billions of dollars, stealing retirements, jobs, and destroying families financially.

I dont point to these examples of white Christians in America to say I hate America because in fact I LOVE America. I point to them to show you that you dont need to be liberal, Muslim, or foreign to be evil.

And lastly dude you dont understand the US or capitalism at all. The only reason the US isnt communist and the only reason capitalism works here is the same reason it works in Canada-it is called socialism. In the USA we have unemployment if you lose your job, we have social security when you retire, and we allow homeowners to write off the interest on the their mortgages--this all contributes to the ability of a worker in the USA to survive what would otherwise be unchecked greed of capitalism. Without social restraint, capitalism will use the cheapest materials, be completely unsafe, and will do what makes the most money-and while that sounds all fine and good-it can lead to disaster. Ask the people of Bohpal India about letting corporations run amok.

Happy Canada Day!