patriotism in politics

[JKaiser]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/19/cindy-mccain-michelle-obama-in-patriotism-flap/

[islandmkl]

1. "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson

[bryant69]

2. I have never liked that quote although I see where he is coming from

But unfeigned patriotism is simply a wish for your country to do well and to do good, I would think. I want America to do well and to do better than it has done in the past.

I'm not sure I would trust someone in office who did not make me feel like he had America's best interests at heart - hell look at Bush. It's clear who's interests he's interested in protecting and it's not those of the middle or working class America.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[islandmkl]

3. perhaps the fuller context:

Patriotism having become one of our topicks, Johnson suddenly uttered, in a strong determined tone, an apophthegm, at which many will start: "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." But let it be considered that he did not mean a real and generous love of our country, but that pretended patriotism which so many, in all ages and countries, have made a cloak of self-interest. - Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784), quoted in Boswell's