Our goal at The Sensible American is and always will be to remain apolitical. There are plenty of other sources that cover topics involving politics. That isn’t us. As we have talked about before, our mission is to shine a light on the America that is still everywhere around us, an America that everyone is capable of both seeing and experiencing. And I don’t mean that we must choose to see the good in this country in order to see it, but that we instead must stop choosing to ignore it.
Those of us who consider ourselves patriots have always understood how great the American people are. Before America was officially born on the 4th of July 1776, the idea of being a patriot came with serious consequence. It was considered a radical idea, a strong declaration of where your loyalties lay when it came to the question of independence. Given that independence was declared and the war was won, you would think that after 250 years the words American and patriot would be interchangeable.
They are not. And that’s worth talking about.
The idea of patriotism has become corrupted. There are Americans who believe that to call yourself a patriot is something to be ashamed of. And at the same time there are others who proudly declare themselves patriots specifically to separate themselves from those they oppose politically. Both are wrong.
A true patriot is neither of those things. A modern patriot is simply an American who is proud of being an American. Someone who understands how fortunate they are to live in a country with limitless opportunity and genuine freedom. It’s a person who hears the noise from every direction, some they agree with, some they don’t, and remains, through all of it, objectively and proudly an American.
A very wise and ardent patriot once gave us all a warning when he said “Let me… warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party.” Words that have spanned centuries and must be heeded today. This patriot was wise and self-aware enough to understand that the greatest threat to our country is our own arrogance and tribalism. You may have heard of him. His name was George Washington.
This is what we mean by objective patriotism. And that’s who The Sensible American is for.
I challenge all of you self-proclaimed patriots to reclaim what it truly means to be one. It is okay if you are unsure how to do this, I myself have forgotten many times as well. You respect and love this country and every American that calls her home. That neighbor you have always disagreed with? Invite them over for a drink. That friend you haven’t spoken to because they took a stance on something you stand against? Reconnect with them and have lunch. Treat your neighbors with respect and care for your community. Your community is the piece of America you live in every day, so be a patriot, and make it something to be truly proud of.
Remember, we’re all on the same team.
— Andrew, The Sensible American