Friday, July 09, 2010

The Patriotism Gap: Secular Liberals Love America Less

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Marriage Alert: Late yesterday afternoon a federal district court in Boston ruled against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), saying it is unconstitutional. I have linked the story.

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A poll by
USA Today/Gallup has found that 32% of Americans describe themselves as "extremely patriotic," up from 19% in 1999.

Our own
poll of Faith and Freedom readers shows 76% feel they are more patriotic than they were 10 years ago.

However, the gap between the secular left and the American public in general is widening---reflecting two very different views of America.

The Gallup poll shows that 42% of Democrats are satisfied with the direction the country is heading, while only 7% of Republicans agree.

Call it partisan or political if you must, but this gap is neither. It cuts to the core, fundamental beliefs of many of the people of this nation.

The "Patriotism Gap" represents, I believe, the profound disagreement with the direction President Obama is taking this country. I believe Americans would hold their present disagreement with any President, regardless of Party affiliation, who would try, as President Obama is doing, to fundamentally "transform" this nation.

A
Washington Times editorial on the subject says, "The patriotism issue broadly parallels the battle lines of the culture war. Those brought up in an educational system in which the United States is portrayed negatively---as the country of slavery and segregation, of unjust wars, environmental pollution, evil capitalism and all manner of oppression---have no particular reason to be patriotic. To these people, Michelle Obama's position rang true when she said in February 2008, that, "for the first time in[her] adult lifetime", she was "really proud of [her] country." There was no reason to be proud of America before the Obama ascendancy. Likewise, candidate Obama's promise to "fundamentally transform" the United States was an exciting message to those who despised America as a morally bankrupt, internationally despised country with a despicable history."

Take a moment. Think back to the sermons we heard in 2008 from Rev. Wright about his view of America and how he believed God should D_ _ _ America, rather than bless it. And much more.

Remember that the Obamas' sat under his ministry for 20 years---20 years, with no sense of discomfort over those kinds of sermons.

Forget the denials and distancing by the Obamas when it appeared their association with Wright was going to hurt their political ambitions, look simply at what this man is doing to America since elected. Does his actions and policies not reflect the same disdain for this country?

The editorial continues: "To those who hold a competing image of the United States---as a shining city on a hill, as the fount of freedom, as a country of faith, hope and charity, as a product of a divine plan, as defender of democracy and the last best hope of mankind---this vision needs no fundamental transformation."

The increase in patriotism is, at least in part, a response to the continuing assault on these American ideals. Increased patriotism is in defense of what America has been, what it now represents and all it can be.

While most all nations were born of ancient boundaries and blood lines, America was conceived in liberty---based on a promise.

A bright future for America is not based on Barack Obama's promise to fundamentally transform or "remake" it.

America's intended destiny is based on the fact that freedom and rights come from God and His authority and that government is created to protect those God given freedoms and rights. And government is fully accountable to the people.

An exceptional belief created an exceptional nation.

May God help us as we seek to restore this gift called America.

Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Believe in a future under God.

Thank you for
your support of this ministry.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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