Questions on politics, patriotism and the media?

[idhacs64]

1. How patriotic is too patriotic?

2.Why do wealthy Conservatives talk about loving and defending America but hate the idea of paying (can afford to pay) extra taxes during an economic crisis?

3.Do you find it hard to put up with constant back and forth of attacks and criticism's from parties during an election and during a presidents term.

4.Are you constantly skeptical of what the media reports nowadays?
5.When a patriot says he/she would fight for their country what is he/she fighting for?
6.This ones for you: What question do you want to ask that you want answered.
7.Do you trust politicians?

 

[NeCognito]

Patriotism is very poorly understood by most people. I believe Samuel Clemens described it best when he said:

"Patriotism is supporting your country all of the time and your government when it deserves it."

The media is controlled by the corporate interests who own them and ultimately run our country, and serve those interests.

I agree with George Washington's observations about partisan politics and their destructive nature:
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/farewell/transcript.html#p16

The only fighting that has taken place for a very long time has been to enforce the agendas of the U.S. government; not the interests of the people or the country. Major General Smedley Butler-USMC, delivered very accurate observations that lead to this conclusion and define the reasons for fighting:

"I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag."

"There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket."

And as Walter Berns noted:

"… the people, particularly young people, are to serve – and even die for – the state to promote the state’s whims and abstract notions, such as the forceful imposition of "democracy" around the world. Under this scenario the state is the master and the people are its servants."

Politics, being a center of power and wealth, attracts the corruptable. The proof of this is the crowd currently in Washington. While it's appropriate to afford most people trust until they prove they're not worthy of it, the situation is reasonably reversed when it comes to politicians.