It is perhaps representative of the sad state of our national politics that we ever need to question the patriotism of candidates for political office. That their love and commitment to the nation they seek to serve is in any degree of doubt is deeply troubling. It forces one to ask the question: if our own elected leaders’ patriotism is in doubt, can we hope to posses any firm belief in the integrity of our government and its commitment to the People?
Some persons might be upset that others question candidates’ patriotism ever, but I would submit that a candidate’s love for their nation is of paramount concern to our survival as a civilization, and thus open to great scrutiny. If one’s patriotism were to be found as less than complete, then I believe this would be an automatic disqualifier for anyone seeking the Presidency.
That is not to say that merely because one’s patriotism is questioned or questionable that they are disqualifiable, for the mere fact that something is questioned is not evidence of the merit of an accusation or inquiry. However, if a candidate’s patriotism were to be found less than fitting by examinations of their philosophy, ideology and through their actions, words and affiliations, then we should have good reason to believe they are unfit to lead a nation which they might not even love.
Before I comment on Barack Obama, I would like to comment on John McCain’s military service and specifically his being tortured in Vietnam. Unlike many conservatives, I do not believe McCain’s unfortunate experience with torture is concrete evidence for his patriotism. In fact, one can easily conceive that being tortured could have a terrible adverse psychological effect on a person resulting in them loving their country less than before the torture.
The strongest evidence for John McCain’s incredible sense of patriotism is his many years of military service after his being tortured as well as his turning down release from the Hanoi Hilton in deference to those captured before him. This represents absolute commitment to one’s country and comrades in my opinion and thus perfectly enshrines our concept of patriotism.
Before I completely turn to Barack Obama though, let me say that I do not believe one has to serve in the military to be patriotic nor to prove their patriotism. Certainly the vast majority of people reading this right now have not served in the military nor have any intentions to, yet their patriotism is not called in to question. I say this then because I do not believe people who claim Barack Obama is less patriotic than John McCain because he does not have the same or similar military experience as the latter really understand what patriotism is.
Patriotism in my opinion is a belief in the values of one’s nation held in both the mind but also the heart. It is an understanding that our nation is not perfect and never will be but having the love a parent does for their child when the latter errs.
Barack Obama has been at the center of or closely connected with a number of instances which bring his love of country in to question. The two primary instances of this are remarks made by his pastor and wife which first damn America and then show evidence that despite having lived in this country for over forty years, not until the nomination of Barack Obama had his wife been proud of the nation that gave her so many opportunities.
Before I am accused of claiming that John McCain is more patriotic than Barack Obama, and thus becoming laden with criticisms from Obamaniacs on campus, let it be known that my contention is merely that John McCain’s patriotism is apparent and without questions, and Barack Obama’s, while possibly as strong or stronger than John McCain’s, is not nearly as apparent, especially when considering what his close associates have said about this nation.
I am open to the idea that Barack Obama is even more patriotic than John McCain, but his commitment to the values of this nation have so far been in question, and rightly so.
