Why do the patriotic ignore problems?

The most stridently patriotic among my fellow Americans also seem to be the ones who are the most likely to ignore the problems of the United States, and this has confused me for a while. The United Sates has no national health care, ranks 28th in infant mortality, doesn't grant full rights to 100% of its population, has a high-school dropout rate of nearly 1/4 of all students, has crippling debt, a looming Social Security problem, crumbling infrastructure, and so on. Other than our military prowess (whose technological superiority has rendered it top heavy and unable to adapt to new threats) it seems there is little to be proud of lately.

On these boards, I saw a tragic example of a teenager begging someone to give her something to be proud of, and she was met with someone who said (honest to God, you can't make it up) "If you don't like it, then leave!"

So why are the most patriotic among us not the first to trumpet these problems and see them fixed? Why are those who claim to love this country the most always the first to deride and ridicule anyone who point out that other nations might have better ways of doing things?

I think you're confusing patriotism with jingoism. Jingoists refuse to admit there are problems. Patriots want to fix the problems.

Cause Love is blind

Point to toadly. "Jingoist" would have been a more accurate term.

You know, roseboy? Aren't you the one who, on another board, called someone "such a bi*ch" because she dared to say America was "spazzed up"?

Mikeh that's only because sarah has insulted him for being himself and stating his own opinion. There are certain things people just don't say and I don't understand why she feels the need to insult people on a program that's meant to help them.

and yes america does have problems that patriots want to help, but we are also in dept so we can only do so much... hilary tried her best she pranced around "in the name of health care" when clinton was in office and spent billions of america's dollars and did nothing, maybe somethings don't have a solution.

and its true, if she doesnt like it then maybe she should leave because truth be told maybe she'd be happier somewhere else, or maybe shed realize what america really has to offer, think of the troops they arent forced into this, they VOLUNTEER to help the country because they LOVE america, they are TRUE patriots and I idolize them and thank them for what they go through to try and make america better.

As Bill Clinton said, "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America." That is the sentiment of a true patriot. Loving anything blindly, is simply to ignore truth.

Looking back I see that the user said: "America's a spazzed up country. It's nothing new." I hardly think that deserved a slew of retaliatory name-calling. But she wasn't the person I originally mentioned in my question.

A) How did Hillary spend "billions" of dollars as first lady? I wasn't aware the first lady had the power to enact spending policies. What difference would it make if she had? Billions of dollars is a minuscule percentage of the annual budget.

B) How many troops volunteered because they are patriots and how many volunteered because it was the only viable option to them? I find it hard to get misty-eyed about the valor of our military when half of them are serving because the judge gave them the option between the Army and jail.

I second that, this man above me is truly a good man, he says wrong things sometimes, and yes he is inconsiderate in someways, but he wanted to go into the army and fight for this country, is that so wrong to be insulted when your country is? Roseboy will die protecting YOU and what do you say? Do you KNOW what our troops go through everyday? Do you know they chose to do this for you? All of you. They don't know you, yet they are out there fighting for each and every american and they could be with families. They left there loved ones to do this and you people dare to say nobody will help america? No nobody IN america will help america, its those troops, the ones far from here but close in our hearts that are the true patriots. The ones who desire to help. They are the ones who make the real difference.

As Rambo said "die for something or live for nothing"

America is in dept thats all I know.

And even if they are there istead of jail they either work hard or die, they didnt choose between jail or army, they chose between dying in prison or dying for something.

When the supporters of the American military make their point by quoting Sylvester Stallone, I think it's safe to call the argument closed.

Choosing the Army over jail is pretty dang patriotic to me! "go fight and maybe die for your country because you broke the law, or sit in jail for it?" Hmmm...

I don't like rambo but I think you actually need to pay attention to the quote.

It's a good quote.

thank you dawnathen I love the true meaning of that quote.

You are most welcome!!! I love it also.

Wow. You guys REALLY like Rambo.

I repeat "I dont like rambo" never even seen it, just love the quote, its clever and meaningful.