Do you question the patriotism of government officials?

[noise]

When Bush was in office I didn't understand why the public was expected to go along with the unitary executive theory. I didn't understand how it made any sense to keep giving the President more power yet hold him to a pathetic standard of accountability. I didn't understand why it was acceptable to ignore government corruption.

I was relieved that McCain wasn't elected. Like many people I hoped for the best. What I still don't understand is why the public should accept the notion that government officials (of both parties) act in good faith. That the secrecy and corruption is somehow understandable. That only the patriotism of the public should be up for review and not that of government officials.

[Divine Discontent]

1. I question whether many, how shall I say it, are shown to see things in a different light.

We know for a fact, based on numerous documented scandals, that elected reps are persuaded all too often by outside interests, and change positions sharply and turn on a dime, for whatever reason.

[saras]

2. No

I don't question their patriotism any more than I question whether pigs can conduct successful moon landings and set up straw, stick, and brick houses once they arrive.

Perhaps if you imagine a nation as a pyramid of worshippers, with a military under unitary command, and a god-king figure at the top, some politicians have a trace of patriotism for such a nation.

But love for a free nation of diverse peoples pursuing their various interests in whatever forms of organization they choose - not bloody likely.

I don't get corruption - on the one hand it reeks of "bad gamble that doesn't pay off in the long run" and on the other the corrupt instantly smell me out as not one of them - and unfortunately that just makes me a weirdo for not getting why so many like corruption, in theory as well as practice, or so willfully turn away from seeing it. Perhaps facing the powerlessness and fear is too much.

[Scuba]

3. Yes....

...when you're a paid shill acting for an international corporation instead of the American people, that's traitorous.

[leveymg]

4. If you publicly question their patriotism, you meet the profile for a "domestic terrorist"

In 2003, the newly-formed DHS Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF)distributed profiles of the types of people described as potential domestic terrorists who should be subjected to close surveillance.

Among those described were "anti-government vigilantes", "eco-terrorists," and "lone wolf" terrorists. One of the profiles described in those documents was someone who believes the "police should be policed" and that gov't authority is generally illegitimate.

That sounds like a lot of us, and actually, a lot of us were and continue to be profiled and surveilled according to similar investigative criteria.

[howard112211]

5. I don't use the word "patriotism" anymore. It is tainted beyond repair.

Besides, I think to identify with a nation state is just the poor man's way of trying to find meaning in life.

If I make a donation to a charitable organization, I take care to make sure it is a trans-national organisation, not one that gives a specific group of people preferential treatment.

[ixion]

6. I question the integrity and ethical footing of ALL government officials

because for the most part, these two qualities seem to be consistently absent from your average "government official".

[alc]

7. I questions priorities

I think (almost) all officials in both parties are patriotic. But their priorities are
1) Re-election (keeping power)
2) Raising money for their next campaign
3) Re-election (keeping their lifestyle)
4) Their party
5) Friends & family
6) varies (church, state, family business)
7 ) The government they are supposed to be running
8) The people they are supposed to represent
9) The country

[CanonRay]

8. Thw whole Bush family

They sided with the Nazis in the 30's and with the Saudis after that. All they care about is money.

[Historic NY]

9. Its not about love of country its about the love of money....politics first.