OVERBREADTH

As the lone Clintonista on a site by, for, and of, committed Obamaniacs, a good many of my bloggings will begin or end with the words, “I respectfully dissent,” or some approximation thereof.

Today is a little different.  I will be venting about Barack Obama — but not about my reservations for his presidential candidacy, but to deliver a long overdue message of respect. There is an issue, an issue I thought was dead, but instead stubbornly refuses to go away in this primary campaign: Is Barack Obama anti-American?

The evidence:

1. Obama is occasionally seen not to wear a flag pin upon his lapel;
2. Obama was once seen looking the wrong way during a flag pledge;
3. Obama is married to a woman, one Michele Obama, was once heard to have said  something that could be construed as meaning that erstwhile she was less proud of America.
4. Obama belongs to a “black power” revival-themed church whose preacher, Rev. Wright, likes to demonize “The Man.”

Well there you have it. Case closed. Lock him up.

Or not. The last time I checked, in this country it is (a) legal to criticize America and (b) not legal to force someone to praise it (with all due apologies to the late Felix Frankfurter, who respectfully disagreed). Obama is well within his rights to withhold praise for a country he believes has gone off-course.

I will concede the point that just because you have a right to do something, does not mean you need to exercise that right.  Someone who criticizes the country might perhaps still be unpatriotic, even though his right to do so is protected.  In other words, this isn’t about whether Obama’s withholding of praise for America is legal, it’s about whether it’s right. It’s not about his freedom to be negative, it’s about whether his negativity is patriotic enough.

When you look a little more closely at the evidence supporting the charge against Obama’s patriotism, it raises a few questions. For example…

What is patriotism?

How do Patriotic Americans show support for their country? Well, there’s two ways. They can (a) show support for America, by marching in parades, going to rallies, donning certain jewelry, or teering up during the “star spangled banner” before a sports event. Or, (b) you can actually support your country. You can go to work, lead our economy, pay taxes, allow government to redistribute a little of your wealth, redistribute a little of your own wealth through acts of public good (like charitable giving, or volunteer work). Better still, be a public servant. Join the military. Be a politician. The point is, you’re doing something for others.

So in other words, you can show support, or you can do support. The two are, of course, not mutually exclusive. You can put on more bling than Uncle Sam en route to your pro bono gig, if it makes you happy, but I’m pretty sure it’s superfluous.

So what happens when we look at the evidence against Barack Obama? Well, one thing tends to unite most of it: its sheer, inane, superficiality. Here we have a man who is highly educated, who could go out and spend his entire life solely to enrich himself, but instead, is a dedicated public servant. He’s been a local politician, and a U.S. Senator - jobs where he makes very little money (compared to the “private sector”) and his productivity benefits not just himself, but everyone who lives in the relevant jurisdiction. More specifically, he’s not just a politician, but a reformer, whose political agenda is to help those Americans who are least able to help themselves. His sole purpose is to help make America a better place. He’s a politician, and he’s the best kind.

Credit is due, credit is given:

For some reason, Obama-critics would rather focus on appearances than substance. But I ask you, what really matters? What kind of patriotism matters more to you?

Some people seem to think that it doesn’t matter what you actually do, it’s wrong not to puff up your chest and declare America’s everlasting perfection. No matter what, don’t let reality in. Ignore the poverty. Ignore the social inequality. Ignore the fact that, as great an effort as we’ve made, there’s still massive injustice in this country. You have to ACT like America is perfect. You have to keep acting that way at all costs.

These people can, should, and probably will vote for John McCain, as they probably voted for W. Bush.

If, however, you or an Obama voter, and possibly even if you are a Clinton voter, you realize that all is not right in America, and that our country needs solutions. It needs change. It does not need any more make-believe. A key first step is to have an open dialogue about what needs fixing. (On all of these points, Obama Democrats and Clinton Democrats basically agree anyway.) Personally, I think that there are a lot of things that need fixing, and I am more concerned with what Obama has done with his political career than what bling he’s worn in the process.

It’s time to put substance in front of style. I respect Obama democrats for boldly rejecting the notion that patriotism consists strictly of the show, and not in the actions.  This decision is implicit in the choice of Obama. If you’re obssessed with the superficial side of patriotism, that would be a choice you could not make. Obama democrats have made a good choice, for the right reasons. Good for you.

Tags: Diaries //