Ronald Reagan and Patriotism

Patriotism: What is it? Patriotism has been defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as devotion or love for one’s country.

According to a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll 72. 2% of Americans consider themselves very or extremely patriotic. That same poll found that 94. 5% of Americans think of themselves as at least somewhat patriotic.

So, most Americans say they are patriotic, but do they fully understand what patriotism even is? Many do not because they do not understand all of the different meanings patriotism has. It has many meanings because everyone expresses it differently.Everyone has opinions, and these opinions determine why each individual person conveys their patriotism the way they do. People have so many ways of expressing their personal patriotism that it has been separated into three categories: devout patriotism, symbolic patriotism, and constructive patriotism. Devout patriotism applies to a patriot who has absolute loyalty to his or her country. They love their country no matter how wrong or right the decisions that it makes are.

Devout patriotism is also called blind patriotism.This applies to devout patriotism because a devout patriot may be blind to the wrong choices their country makes, intentionally or unintentionally. Either way, a blind patriot still continues to support the country. They would say criticism of their country is wrong to do. Military personnel who 2 serve this country do what is asked of them because of their devout patriotism.

They take the job-no questions asked! Former President Ronald Reagan was seen by the media as a devout patriot. He was generally popular in the public eye.President Reagan even mentioned patriotism is his farewell speech. His patriotism gave him credibility with the press as a true republican. When a patriotic person is attached to symbols like the American flag and the bald eagle, they are considered to be a symbolic patriot. Symbolic patriots may wear flags on clothing.

They often display flags on vehicles, in yards, or in windows. There are songs and poems that are used as symbols of patriotism. Lee Greenwood’s version of “God Bless the USA” is a widely played song to show patriotism.Fireworks displays are often a symbol of American pride. Honoring heroes of the military by placing yellow ribbons on trees, sending soldiers cards, and having prayer services for our servicemen are all examples of symbols of patriotism.

Some symbolic patriots often also fall into the category of being a conservative. The reason this is so is because liberals are hesitant to be so symbolic because they connect things like flag burning to their Vietnam War opposition. President Obama does not wear the American flag pin as previous presidents have.He obviously believes symbols are not an acceptable reason to say he is patriotic because in an interview a reporter asked him why he was not wearing the American flag pin.

He answered, "You know, the truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we're talking about the Iraq War, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security. I decided I 3 won't wear that pin on my chest.Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism.

" President Obama’s answer was an example of constructive patriotism. He said that he would try to show his patriotism through speaking out, and that falls under the category of constructive patriotism. Constructive patriotism is also called critical patriotism because it is when people show their patriotism through questioning and constructive criticism. People who are constructive patriots aspire for positive changes of their country.This is the exact opposite of devout or blind patriots because they think criticism of our country is wrong. Constructive patriots are those who believe that the useful critiques of our country and its policies should be seen as an expression of love and pride.

Patriotism obviously varies because of people’s opinions. People have chosen to show that they love and are devoted to their country in many different ways. Patriotism is shown by people who support our country to the fullest, people who keep symbolic pieces close, and those people who help try to improve our country to better it.