No, flying a flag, wearing the colors, and saying the words do not make you patriotic.

Here’s Elon abusing his sweet young son. And here’s that community tree lighting.

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Let’s start here: do you remember 1986 when Challenger blew up? Or 2001 when the Twin Towers were hit? How about when America beat Russia in hockey in 1980 – The Miracle on Ice? Or the end of the Berlin Wall in 1989? And maybe the last great moment we shared, which, unfortunately, didn’t last long, hailing our healthcare workers as heroes in the throes of the pandemic in 2020?

Those are just a few examples of how Americans can unite as a country. Unfortunately, leadership is a vital ingredient in manifesting patriotism. And our New Management is not down.

Webster’s says patriotism is a noun because it describes it as a thing (remember, Schoolhouse Rock taught us that a noun is a person, place, or thing).

I beg to differ.

Patriotism can’t exist without people taking action. It is an essential ingredient for a thriving democracy. We know MAGA is not patriotic. Oh, they think they are, but their behavior tells a different story (see JenCarole’s Commandment #7 on the blog sidebar). For our purposes, we will agree patriotism is a verb.

This is important because I’d like us to consider our individual commitment to patriotism.

Patriotism fosters civic responsibility and healthy community engagement.

When you feel a deep sense of pride in your country, you should also feel a commitment to its welfare. In a democracy, this sense of responsibility encourages citizens to participate in the political process, whether through voting, volunteering, or advocating for policies that align with democratic values. Patriotic individuals feel motivated to support the democratic institutions that ensure justice, freedom, and equality.

Patriotism encourages national unity.

When we focus on shared values, history, and ideals, patriotism brings citizens together, regardless of differences in race, religion, or socio-economic background. This sense of common purpose strengthens the social fabric, which is vital for a functioning democracy. When people feel a connection to one another based on shared national ideals, they are more likely to cooperate and engage in constructive debates, even when disagreements arise.

Patriotism means the citizenry holds leaders accountable.

Citizens activate patriotism by holding their government accountable. A patriot shows commitment to their country’s democratic principles by questioning government actions, demanding transparency, and advocating for protecting rights. This leads to a more accountable government, as democratic leaders understand that an engaged and informed public scrutinizes their actions because we care.

Patriotism prioritizes values, norms, and institutions.

Patriotism demands protecting the values that underpin the government, such as freedom, equality, and justice. Patriots advocate for policies safeguarding our values and opposing authoritarian movements threatening to erode democratic norms. Patriotism is a bulwark, a defensive wall against anti-democratic forces.

Patriotism wants us to do better, which is the essence of the American Dream.

Patriotism doesn’t mean blind loyalty; it is active, requires thought, and involves a personal commitment to improving our nation. Patriotic citizens are often willing to engage in self-reflection, critique, and reform, ensuring that democratic values are preserved and nurtured to adapt to the changes required by a thriving society. They also bring optimism and energy to support progress through innovation and collaboration.

Patriotism embraces the rule of law.

Respecting the rule of law is fundamental and patriotic in a democracy. Our system works when everyone, including political leaders, adheres to the same laws. This helps to ensure fairness and stability, which are crucial for the proper functioning of a democracy.

Patriotism belongs to us; we are democracy.

Patriotism bolsters democracy in times of crisis by motivating people to defend democratic institutions and values, even when our nation faces challenges. It provides moral resolve to preserve democratic governance during difficult periods. It’s why many of us are resolved to fight for our country, regardless of the consequences.

Tap your inner patriot; we have work to do.

I’m waving my magic wand, and effective immediately, we are no longer pretending anyone in the MAGA Cult is a patriot. They are not. I have not heard of any plan coming out of New Management that supports any of these ideals. That means we must take action, from listening to a new podcast to taking the kids to see your state capitol, and every pro-democracy action counts.

Anything you do to make yourself a more informed citizen makes a difference. Here’s a short list of ideas to help you get started:

• Subscribe to Marc Elias’s newsletter. No, I can’t keep up with them all, but sometimes, he has something that will really matter to you.
• Listen to more podcasts and less institutional news (corporate news, the sellouts, the fuckers that obeyed in advance). I am enjoying the heck out of Daily Beans, and there are others out there (lots of choices here and here).
• Know your representatives and start treating them like they work for you. Seriously. This is my student council point: give them feedback, positive or negative. Half of them don’t even answer constituents anymore. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
• Do something related to correcting a social injustice, preferably locally. My big meeting with a local institution about a wrong that’s been allowed to fester for 20 years is coming up. I will share the whole thing when it’s resolved—I don’t mean to be cagey—but I know to influence, I need to “stay low and go slow”* until I get what I want. Here’s how to get in the zone if you’re unsure: listen to my Pete Hegseth podcast and then consider when you’ve looked the other way when you should have said something.

Tell us what you’re doing! Comment below, post on Bluesky, take a photo, or tell a story. We’re here for the incredible acts of micro-patriotism! Let’s go.

*There is a very cool Golden State Killer survivor story associated with this that I will share in the future. It comes with a sloth.