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What best defines Americanism?

 

 

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all the above listed no one thing defines a veteran plus add my country's needs are mine. proud retired usaf vet

Submitted by bruce t clark ... (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 2:12pm

all of the above

Submitted by DianeF (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 2:20pm

all of the above

Submitted by DianeF (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 2:21pm

All the above, plus a lot more!

Submitted by Frazier B (not verified) : Feb 26, 2014 8:03pm

I see that 60% of those who voted in this survey did so with the response that did NOT define Americanism, it defined "Nationalism". Nationalism is the excessive or fanatical devotion to a nation and its interests, often associated with a belief that one country is superior to all others. We saw this in WWII with Nazi Germany as well as Imperial Japan.

Americanism, in my opinion, is the recognition that all humans are created equal and as such all must have the same opportunity to vote, to work, to have access to education and health care. It also the recognition that we Americans have been very fortunate and need to share with others less fortunate. Americanism is the understanding that our ancestors came as foreigners and we have the obligation to pay this opportunity back to our ancestors by helping others who want to be American. Americanism is understanding we MUST vote for our leaders and respect the leaders we communally have elected.

Submitted by USA Vet (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 2:38pm

Well stated. Frankly, the way the answers are formulated leads me to wonder whether at the national level the AL is moving toward neo-Nazi style ultra-nationalism, which is contrary to the US Constitution and therefore anti-Patriotic.

Submitted by Mick Cole (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 3:37pm

Well articulated!!

Submitted by kirk (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 3:50pm

well said

Submitted by Kevin williams (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 4:58pm

I totally agree with US VET's comments. My great-grandfather and his brothers emigrated from Germany around 1840 and all served in the Union Army during the Civil War. In WWII I was sent to Germany and spent 3 years helping to instill democracy, which happily took root and prospered. I hope we can learn to control the negative emotions in our society and live up to our ideals of humanity, responsibility, enterprise, cooperation, and patience. If we do, our future is boundless.

Submitted by Richard Hofacker (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 7:31pm

I disagree that 60% were choosing Nationalism. Please read the Preamble to the US Consitution. I agree with your second paragraph.

Submitted by fg webb (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 9:55pm

Nowhere in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution does it mention Patriotism, Love of Flag, Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem or ANY symbols, although it does mention "common defence", which could be construed to mean "willing to serve in the U.S. armed forces." What IS emphasized in the Preamble is "a more perfect Union" (because between 1776 and the Constitution's ratification 12 years later in 1788, the 13 original states had a very imperfect Union, including unwillingness to pay the soldiers who fought in the American Revolution). Added to the goals of the Constitution's Preamble are such key words as ""establish Justice" (the Supreme Court), "domestic Tranquility," "promote the general Welfare," and "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" -- which could be assumed to include the 4th option in the poll regarding sharing values with the young people of America.

Submitted by Richard Hofacker (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 10:59pm

Well said.

Submitted by Don T. (not verified) : Feb 21, 2014 5:34am

All of the above PLUS living within the ideal expressed by Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address: government of the people, by the people, for the people. People in this country need to think long and hard about what was said in that address. It is short, simple, and to the point. It is most appropriate today in our society that totally promotes self-serving interests.

Submitted by DougG (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 2:51pm

Now, Doug, are you trying to say that our current crop of politicians don't have the peoples best interest at heart??? How could you think such a terrible thing!!LOL!!

Submitted by Old Man from th... (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 3:19pm

Americanism is not living "by your leave". I need no one else's permission to live my life. It includes private ownership of land, liberty, and the unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness ... whether I reach it or not is my own responsibility.

Submitted by Thomas R Gold (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 3:30pm

The sharing of American values with the younger generation is only part of the issue. Remember two of the pillars of the American Legion is Veterans rehabilitation, and support. As well as child welfare. Most answered the second statement. Yes that is required as well, but we can't ignore the other two pillars, National Defense, and security, and Americanism.

Submitted by Fred Shelton (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 3:31pm

I think "All the Above" is more correct that just one answer: attachment or allegiance to the traditions, interests, or ideals of the United States

Submitted by Bob B. (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 3:57pm

The national desire to do what is right, and not to fall into the corruption of so many other countries. Americans stand up against corruption regardless of whether it is a rich person, a politician, a public employee, a law enforcement person, or a neighbor. And as such we can be proud Americans!

Submitted by Paul P. (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 4:14pm

Opportunity to strive for anything you want in all walks of life

Submitted by Bud J (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 6:04pm

None of the above answers define Americanism!
Americanism is living under the rules and guidelines set up in our Bill of Rights and our Constitution. It involves our citizens and elected officials working to a common goal of promoting Life, Liberty and Prosperity for everyone who is willing to work to achieve it. It is defending and providing for the helpless, less fortunate. It is protecting our citizens. And it is welcoming all from outside who come here after following all the rules, to join us in our way of life.

Submitted by bigmac1 (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 6:31pm

All of the above.

Submitted by Salvatore R LaRosa (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 7:34pm

One thing everyone is forgetting: What is the motto of the American Legion? For God and Country! Notice that God comes first. The Judeo-Christian heritage of this country makes for Americanism. Where in the world do we get the basic precepts of the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution? Forgetting that and we are no longer Americans, but relegated to the ash heap of world history.

Submitted by Kurt Pochert (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 8:49pm

Well said and Thank you.

Submitted by LieutenantCharlie : Feb 20, 2014 9:30pm

AMERICANISM is best defined by the PATRIOTISM of the AMERICAN TEA PARTY PATRIOTS, and their devotion to the Freedoms of America. And in their strength to fight the Corrupt and Criminal Regime, that now occupies our White House and our Government.

Submitted by LieutenantCharlie : Feb 20, 2014 9:28pm

Since my first response was apparently cut off.. How about taking this Machiavellian question and by design answers and ask a Native American the question.. Or keep asking the Immigrants.. They do know eh? No matter which way you cover it up. It is still what it is..

Submitted by Pearson/Pierson... (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 9:49pm

Americanism - attachment or allegiance to the traditions, interests, or ideals of the United States.

Nationalism - ideology based on the premise that the individual’s loyalty and devotion to the nation-state surpass other individual or group interests.

And 62% think: Love of the flag, the Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and other symbols of our nation’s freedoms.

Sorry people, but there is a BIG difference between loving the symbols and loving the ideals which those symbols represent. There is also a difference between believing and upholding certain ideals and blind devotion, right or wrong.

I can't really blame the 62% though. The poll really is defective.

Submitted by Proud of the Am... (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 10:33pm

John Prine - Sam Stone - YouTube

John Prine : Some Humans Aint Human - YouTube (Preview)

Submitted by America, Where ... (not verified) : Feb 20, 2014 11:49pm

It is what you BELIEVE in. Remember the founding documents were a limit on the power of government to infringe on our God given rights. Do you believe the government is acting that way?

Submitted by Ohio Vet (not verified) : Feb 21, 2014 1:34pm

I think "NONE of the Above" would be my answer... Patriotic, by definition is someone who 'Loves and Defends his Country' - To me, that is more than just willingness to Serve, it means a Love so deep that you are willing to GIVE YOUR LIFE to Defend. As for the symbols of Patriotism, and the passing on of American Values to our children, these are off-shoots of the Love and RESPECT we hold for our fore-fathers and Patriots before us who willingly GAVE THEIR LIVES for us.

Submitted by Mama Habu (not verified) : Feb 21, 2014 5:28pm

All of the above was not a choice, it should have been. Americanism is the belief that we are equal before GOD, and this country was created by our fore-fathers to give us a free, moral, and GOD fearing society with a frame work to keep it that way.

Submitted by USA Army Vet (not verified) : Feb 21, 2014 7:45pm

All the above/None of the above. It is up to each of us to decide what AMERICANISM means.

Submitted by BJ5sfv (not verified) : Feb 22, 2014 2:13am

All the above plus studying and voting

Submitted by John Scohy (not verified) : Feb 22, 2014 5:48pm

Patriotism is love of God, Country, and Family, our constitution, as originally written, and the commitment to defend all of them against all threats, foreign and domestic. We are letting the government take our freedom in exchange for hand outs.

Submitted by Checker (not verified) : Feb 23, 2014 6:51pm

To serve this country at all times no matter in war time or in periods of peace. My father served in WWII & the Korean conflict. My wife's father served in WWII. I enlisted right after Vietnam .our parents were also members of the American Legion.I served in a time of peace in Korea . (The146 ASA) & The 165th military Police co. at Fort Bragg, n.c. Our fathers fought for peace in this world. I as many others stood guard through Cold War times. Are we consider less patriotic??? The American Legion needs to ask that question ? What were we fighting for ? Peace?.. I' m so proud of our today Military. They fought so long. They deserve a time of peace. Doesn't the American Legion want that?

Submitted by Richard J Brown (not verified) : Feb 24, 2014 5:03am

Patriotism and Love of the flag, the Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and other symbols of our nation’s freedoms, Willingness to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, the sharing of American values with younger generations. Americanism is belief in the same fundamental values our country's fathers sought to instill and make permanent through the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. Americanism is believing that these rights and values are worth fighting and dying for in the pursuit of their proliferation throughout the world. Sadly, Americanism has taken a beating by the political and media machines. I fear for my country and its current state.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) : Feb 24, 2014 12:26pm