What they don't get straight: We don't say bad things about our

[Baitball Blogger]

country. We are critics of Republican policies and decisions that are tearing down the best values and principles that form the foundation of this country. Simply put, the Republican party does not represent the best of the United States of America and they need to stop using the word "country" like a wall to deflect criticism directed at them.

Fucking cowards.

[maxsolomon]

1. These propagandists know the truth of it. They know it's a lie.

Lindsey Graham knows that Progressive Dems aren't Communists.

They just don't care whether they lie, because attacking your opponent's patriotism is expedient and effective in discrediting their positions.

[unitedwethrive]

2. Once the GOP realized the direction the country was headed, they knew their days were numbered -

so they decided that the only way for a minority of people (well off, white, male) to stay in power is to lie, cheat and steal. They've actively and knowingly, and with planning and forethought, disregarded all democratic principals to get what they want.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. +1

[Hortensis]

4. We'd better get used to it. They're resurrecting hypocritical claims

of patriotism to restyle their intense corruption and betrayals of democracy and basic decency. In their own minds, anyway, and with a critical election approaching that's what they need.

I remember the 1960s, '70s, '80s hostile, uber-righteous retorts of "America, love it or leave it" and "Don't like it, get out!" to anyone who objected to immoral, incompetent and even criminal activities by their leaders. And their supposed ownership of the American flag they displayed everywhere. What was hardest to take was the passionate sincerity of people who didn't know their leaders were intensely corrupt and unprincipled. That wasn't fake.

Same people, some shift in generations.

[FiveGoodMen]

5. You have to be able to criticize a country -- or a party -- in order for anything to get better.

We ALL need to acknowledge that.