This is the first of many letters I will receive from a man named Mr. W. I met this man months ago at my place of work, and we engage in weekly philosophical conversations. There are a few spelling errors, but I decided I'm going to write word-for-word what's included in the letter.
- Good Morning:
The question: How do you love your country?
This question came from a comment made by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and current Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who both stated that they think the Mr. Obama does not love the country he is President of.
I may or may not agree with the politicians view of Mr. Obama, but there is a larger questions which was answered in a CNN editorial. I have used the ideas from the editorial to give you some ideas.
1. Support a strong central government. The Articles of Confederation were a disaster. The U.S. Constitution was designed by men who wanted a strong central government so as to build unity, strengthen the economy and defend the homeland.
2. Be skeptical of too much centralized governmental power. Inconsistent? Well, that tension is at the heart of the American experience. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton wanted national strength; Thomas Jefferson and James Madison did not. To truly love America is to hold both ideas in your head at once.
3. Embrace immigrants they bring new ideas and bolster our work force.
4. Connect with a soldier or a veteran. Less than 1% of all Americans serve in uniform, protecting the other 99% of us. You should be able to name someone who is serving in the military — and tell them "Thanks."
5. Recognize that we have has a history of discrimination in our nation. Institutions, such as slavery, organization such as the KKK, and the Sword, Arm, and Convent of the Lord show how prejudice was, can be, but it also shows how far we have come as a society. The goal is not "My Country, Right or Wrong," but rather "Love Your Country: Right its Wrongs."
6. Travel around America. Meet some of its people. They are an amazing bunch.
7. Travel the world. When you return celebrate and embrace what is good about us and what can make better by copying the other nations good points.
8. Listen to someone you disagree with.
9. Inform yourself. Arm yourself with facts if you want to really love your country.
10. Question our leaders. Do not allow yourself to be blindly led into war or conflict without and exchange of idea.
The quote: My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
Carpe Diem
Mr. W
lil, I think you would have an interesting take on this subject.
I'd say it's pretty debatable whether the US military's function is to protect the other 99% of Americans (just as it's debatable who, if anyone, the police protect and serve).Connect with a soldier or a veteran. Less than 1% of all Americans serve in uniform, protecting the other 99% of us. You should be able to name someone who is serving in the military — and tell them "Thanks."
The function of an army is to enforce the interests of a country. The purpose of a police force is to enforce the laws of a country and to maintain civil order. A country could usually be said to be concerned about keeping its citizens alive, so an army "protects and serves" the people indirectly. Normally laws are created to better society, so enforcement of laws tend to help people more directly. All of the above is mostly pointless. I assume you are using hyperbole to make your point against police overreach, war, etc. I would be interested in hearing your point of view if you were speaking literally.
Not hyperbole: I question the slide from "protecting the interests of a country" to "protecting the other 99% of us". In practice countries' identities have only a loose relationship to the identities of their inhabitants, and only a powerful few get to define the country's interests. And it's often very questionable whether the interests of the country, as defined by those in power and embodied in those institutions that exist to protect these interests, align with the interests of the country's people. It's also questionable whether the officially accepted purpose of an institution such as an army or police force aligns with its actual behaviour. Human institutions have a tendency to develop a life of their own and become to some extent self-serving and self-protecting. This can warp the functioning of the whole institution until it is not doing what it was originally founded to do. So: I'd question whether protecting the country's interests is always protecting its people, and I'd question whether institutions founded to protect the country's interests always end up doing that.
I am having a difficult time gathering my thoughts for a rebuttal. I will edit this comment later if I end up thinking of one. Thank you for your input.
Thanks for the shoutout. I have to admit, while I love my country (Canada), I'm ambivalent and sceptical about nationalism of any sort. Our planet is divided into countries, though, and to be stateless is to be vulnerable to deportation to nowhere. One can only love one's country if one feels part of it. Black kids in Ferguson and Arab citizens of Israel might love their land, but not their country. For me, today, loving my country involves feeling grateful that the majority of my countrypeople and the judges of the highest courts share many of my values (for example, no capital punishment in Canada, legal gay marriage across the country, medicare, and so on). At the moment, I feel more or less safe that justice is the norm in this country. A Somali immigrant in the neighbourhood may not share that feeling, yet. I'm grateful that this country is a liberal democracy where new ideas can be put forward and considered. This is not possible in many countries. Regarding your correspondent: I appreciate most of his ideas, particularly the necessity of embracing opposites.
I love my country(USA) because of my love for culture around the world. Since America is generally a mixing pot of culture, and I love culture and its variation, it's just a generally interesting place to be. I also like the Kennedy quote used here. It's so important to consider contributing to our government and culture and make change where you think change is necessary or helpful. Great post!
I am now following #lettersfrimmrw, I look forward to reading more.