According to the dictionary, a patriot is “a person who vigorously supports and stands ready to defend his country against enemies or against detractors.” True patriotism doesn’t only mean waving American flags and wearing stars-and-stripes t-shirts. True patriotism means caring for your community, preserving our democratic rights, and protecting our democracy.
A true patriot researches and chooses the best candidates who stand and support our democracy. They stay curious about national and international issues and how they affect our country, people, and our future. They support their political representatives if they are elected by a popular vote.
A true patriot pays taxes and abides with the laws. They work for an honest paycheck. It also means turning a profit, but not at the cost of the employees of a supposedly patriotic business. A true patriot treats their employees and customers with dignity and respect.
To support our country is to support the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. You can vote to change a law if you disagree with it, but a true patriot upholds the law before making a peaceful change. The army, the National Guard, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies, are embraced by patriots. Patriots support those who serve in the armed forces.
A patriot supports religious freedom, regardless of their religion. They support the rights to free speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the due process for all, regardless of their opinions and beliefs.
What makes someone a true patriot is a belief in the constitutional civil liberties with the right to self-governance. They understand that even if one person’s rights are restricted, no one is free.
It’s time to remember how far we’ve come as a country and hold nothing back from protecting our liberties and rights. Anyone who respects their country and tries to make it a better place is a true patriot.
Your Fellow Patriot
Steven Bryant
