What Is Patriotism?
Patriotism or national pride is the feeling of love, devotion, and a sense of attachment to a homeland and alliance with other citizens who share the same sentiment.
-- Wikipedia
What It Means To Be A True Patriot
To be a Patriot is more than just feeling strongly about the country you live in. Many people feel strong affection for the country and place they grew up in. This is not what Patriot Democracy is referring to when we are talking about being Patriotic.
A Patriot loves everything about their country, the places and all the people in it.
- Patriots, set good examples for others to follow.
- Patriots, do the right thing even when it is inconvenient or difficult.
- Patriots, forgive their fellow citizens when they say and do things that harm other citizens.
- Patriots, hold leaders accountable for their actions, not what they say.
- To be a true Patriot you cant hate one group of people and share and spread negativity about other fellow citizens.
- To be a true Patriot race and class has no meaning, Patriots want to see all their fellow citizens succeed in life.
- To be a true Patriot you need to be willing to stand up and state loudly, "this is wrong".
Who Can Be A Patriot
Anybody can be a Patriot. To be a Patriot is something you can choose, regardless of your situation, age, income or race.
Once you have chosen, you would like to be a Patriot you need to ask yourself how can I help. "What can I do to improve my country?"
To call yourself a Patriot you need to live it. That means every day, asking yourself "what I am going to do today to help the people that live in my country".
The Pillars Of Patriotism
There are few guiding pillars that patriotism stands on that without these foundations patriotism crumbles.
Spreading the message
Patriots need other Patriots. No one person can do it all. For this reason, the single most important thing you can do is tell others about being a Patriot and seeking out other Patriots, looking to help each other and working together.
Working together
When we speak as many individuals we create noise, when we speak as one group we are heard.
Socialists generally have a clear picture of what they trying to do and who their adversaries are. If we Patriots are disorganized and do not work together, our efforts are far less likely to succeed.
It's important for Patriot's to coordinate and work together on clear shared goals. Patriot Democracy is an effort to provide that coordination.
Holding government accountable
Government has the single biggest impact on the country a Patriot loves so much. Therefore, it's the duty of a Patriot to work to hold people in government accountable.
The only way a Patriot can hold the government accountable is through their vote and teaching others the importance of voting and why you should only ever vote for Democratic political parties that defend human rights.
Human Rights Are Not Negotiable
The way governments treat and view their people is vital. Under monarchies of old, most people had no rights and the peoples lives were dictated to by royal families that owned and controlled everything. In modern times Socialist Dictatorships have replaced monarchies, where all power is centralised in Governments and political parties, dictating to the people they rule over.
The move of human society towards Democracy puts human rights first and the people have the power to hold leaders accountable and governments serve the people.
To a Patriot human rights means everything. Without the right to live our lives the way we see fit regardless of what politician is in power is a core Patriot belief that all other beliefs are measured against.
Patriots Don't Work With Socialists
Socialism is a destructive system about empowering the government political elite and dis-empowering citizens in the form of state control and limiting and removal of human rights. Often using bully tactics, propaganda and fear to manipulate and control.
If a core value and belief of a Patriot is upholding and protecting human rights, and Socialism is about the destruction of human rights. Then Patriots avoid working with or working for Socialists. When we do business with Socialist we are empowering them and give Socialist a platform and power base to attack human rights and spread their propaganda.
Many South African businesses have given up part of their business to Socialist believing it will protect them from Government and they will be left alone. Unfortunately as many have found this slippery slope has opened up the door to further Socialist intrusions and power grabs.
Patriots Are Generous
To love one's country and its people means wanting to give. Every person, regardless of how wealthy can contribute something in the form of kindness and a helping hand.
We all have skills, and giving your time to help does not cost any money. Even a voice of guidance, optimism and asking questions of leaders is a form of giving.
If you are fortunate enough to have an income and live a middle-income life, then R5 is not a lot of money to you. Then you are encouraged next time you are helped, by somebody less fortunate, regardless of their efforts, a car guard or maybe a waiter, to give them more than a R5 coin. You are encouraged to give them a R10 note or more. It will not make any difference to your life but will make all the difference to their lives.