Federal Government Shutdown

[Whateverist]

It is absolutely disgusting that you spit on a flag that has been the symbol of freedom. Why do you think so many people want to come live here? The way you treat our flag is an abomination and you SHOULD move to whatever country you prefer and get over yourself. People have fought and died for the flag that you spit on. Remember Iwo Jima?

I appreciate the motives of some former and current service members who have sacrificed and undertaken risk for the sake of what they perceived to be a greater good. There can be nobility in their motivation. But not all who serve do so for such reasons. Too many have too little other choices because of the lack of social mobility and the rampancy of poverty in this 'great' country.

I think I understand quite well what the US has going for it and where it falls short. Without ever having served in the military myself, I feel fully entitled to critique our system. I don't require permission from any flag worshiper to do so.

Nationalism is simply provincialism on a larger scale. Patriotism is tribalism on a larger scale. We no longer live in tribes. It is pretty meaningless to apply 'us' to 300 million people. The threat today comes from within in the form of corruption and factionalism. The aggression that played itself out between nations in the last century is now found in the attitudes of the haves-and-want-more against the have-nots. I for one would never fight in any trumped up 'war' to safeguard the status quo of such a system, but count me in when it comes time to settle our class differences. I'm happy to man a guillotine.