Patriotism

Originally written in 2019 or 2020 but not published.

Patriotism - a confusing concept, not so much in theory but in action. We tend to say that those who volunteer to serve in the military or another government branch that requires some degree of sacrifice or at least considerable discomfort or risk are patriotic. I suspect that many of these "patriots" are so only in appearance having in addition to love-of-country other good reasons for choosing to serve. Typically, the longer they serve the more their reason for continuing to serve is to support the country. Nothing confusing about that. Where it gets confusing is where politics gets involved.

Many in government today are experiencing a patriotic cognitive dissonance not unlike that experienced by many soldiers who fought in (or escaped fighting in) the Vietnam conflict. When you enter the military or accept a civilian position as a federal employee, you swear to serve and support the country. Later you may be asked to perform an act inconsistent with your value or belief system, an act directed from and informed by a political perspective with which you disagree.