This Is Our Opportunity

 

“Patriotism” is a word debased by the belief that one’s nation is superior to all others. The word should mean respect for fellow citizens that binds us to our nation.

 

Of the hundreds of millions of Americans, we each know a few dozen at best. Yet we pay taxes, donate to causes, and serve in other ways for the benefit of all. Government is the primary representative of this joint endeavor. Respect for government was at its highest in 1945. Yet, less than forty years later, Ronald Reagan in his inaugural address stated: “Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.”

 

By the narrowest of margins, we have the opportunity to regain the best meaning of patriotism — respect for our government and our fellow Americans. Likewise, our government must respect us, Republicans, Democrats, all of us.

 

 

This is our opportunity. Let’s not waste it in bitterness.

 

 

—Bob Marrow