He is Playing the Race Card

The first college course I taught was a section on General Psychology in Charleston, SC. The demographics of my class was about half white kids and half black kids. We were covering the chapter on Abnormal Psychology, so I gave what I thought would be a fun weekend assignment. Over the weekend, each student was to engage in "abnormal" behavior in a public place, then record peoples' responses. Students were given safety instructions NOT to break any laws or institutional rules (example: talking in the library) and they were NOT to engage in any behaviors that might be considered threatening to people or dangerous in any way. I gave a few examples of "safe" abnormal behaviors like talking to one's self, standing backward in an elevator, invading personal space in a conversation, etc.

Monday morning I was shocked at the outcome of this assignment. Despite following my safety instructions, almost all of the black kids got into trouble with law enforcement, store managers, and other authority figures in the community. Apparently, if you are a black kid in Charleston, behaving abnormally results in trouble. Conversely, white kids who behaved abnormally received the expected responses of laughing, pointing, ignoring, gossiping, and avoiding.

Later, when I recounted this story to subsequent classes, white students were typically surprised (as I was) at the differences in public responses to black versus white kids. However, black students hearing the story for the first time knew what the outcome would be before I ever said it. One middle-aged, African American student who had children of her own, reported that she raised her kids to keep their hands in full view at all times whenever they were in a store or mall. As a white parent of white children, having my kids keep their hands in full view is something that never would have crossed my mind.

A few years later, an African-American colleague of mine, Anna, requested my help with her son who had recently gotten into trouble at school. Her son, John, was an honor roll high school student with no history of school behavior problems. However, he got into a conflict with another student and became defiant when the principal intervened. His punishment for defiance was expulsion for the remainder of the year. John subsequently apologized to the principal for talking back, but a hearing was set to confirm expulsion.

Anna had me and several other professionals who were familiar with John speak on his behalf at the hearing. The Discipline Board consisted of three white, male, principals and one white, female principal. I felt the hearing went very much in John's favor, so I was shocked when the panel ruled to go through with the expulsion. I approached the Chair of the Discipline Board and made the comment that an all-white, all principal, and nearly all-male panel was inappropriate. The Chair dramatically raised both hands in the air and yelled out, "I knew it! I knew someone just had to play the race card!" Anna was embarrassed that I brought it up. It is very bad form for victims of racism to complain about mistreatment.

Three months later, I was back before the same Discipline Board in support of another high school kid. On this occasion, another honor roll student with no history of behavior problems had gotten in big trouble. This second troublemaker was Suzie, a cute, white, female who broke federal law by distributing marijuana brownies to her classmates. The legal penalty for this act is up to 5 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Again, the hearing seemed to go well for the student. The ruling? She was told never to do that again and was allowed to return to school the next day.

The Race Card: A term invented by bigots used to quiet victims of bigotry.

How to Write a Personal Mission Statement

Army Photography Contest - 2007 - FMWRC - Arts and Crafts - Follow the Light

People can have a tendency to drift through life without direction, or worse, allow others to choose their direction. The number one regret of people in the last stages of life is, "I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me."1 One way to avoid this misfortune is to carefully assemble a unique mission statement rooted in personal meaning and reflecting your own individual values. Refer to it frequently and modify it as your life unfolds.

Consider the following:

1. Your life goals. When you come to the end of life, what do you hope to have accomplished? Make the goals sweeping and broad. Really consider the big picture.

2. Your morals. What does it mean to be a "good person?" Was "good" defined by your parents? Your religion? The laws of the land? Or, do you use universal litmuses like fairness, empathy, or potential for harm to determine ''goodness?" (Hint: The latter reflects a higher degree of moral development.)2

3. Your purpose. Why are you here? What makes you feel alive? What activities make your life worthwhile? Are you drawn to improving yourself? Your society? Both? Do you like to create? Build? Organize? Does the acquisition of knowledge excite you? Do you like to solve problems?

4. Your priorities. Priorities are ever shifting. How will you determine what is the best use of your time right now? Tomorrow? Ten years from now? What causes an issue to change from low to high priority?

Sample Mission Statement:

To have a positive impact on the lives of family, friends, co-workers, and people in my community by:

1. Demonstrating and encouraging curiosity, creativity, enthusiasm, geniality, tenacity, and industry

2. Committing to unbiased, logical, evidence-based sources of information and constantly seeking out relevant new research

3. Employing and supporting democratic processes to create a culture of ownership and participation at all levels

4. Changing positions when supporting evidence clearly outweighs disputing evidence for my own pre-existing beliefs

5. Utilizing empathy, fairness, and potential for harm to guide my ethical decisions

6. Developing myself socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally

7. Employing moderation, patience, flexibility, and the greater good to determine priorities at any given time

1. Ware, Bronnie. The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 2012. Print.

2. Kohlberg, L. (1984). Essays on moral development: Vol. 2. The psychology of moral development: Moral stages, their nature and validity.

On Snobbery

sto del Río Agardando por Snob

I had a fairly unpleasant high school experience. In the middle of my tenth grade year, my family moved from the coast of South Carolina to the Piedmont of North Carolina. My new high school had two distinct social groups: tobacco farmers’ kids and the privileged children of fairly affluent parents from Bermuda Run Country Club, a gated community. Oh, there was a tiny, third social group of transplant kids from the Sea Islands of SC… me.

Universally, the tobacco kids were unsophisticated, but emotionally mature. Each worked on the farm from a young age and gained an adult-like tempering from being productive and from contributing to the welfare of his/her family. The Bermuda Run children were emotionally infantile and inflicted a smug, judgmental snobbery on each other and on the rest of us. Prior to the move, I was honestly unaware of the phenomenon called, “name brand.” I quickly learned that wearing shirts with the wrong animal embroidered on the chest or sneakers with the wrong stripe on the side meant ridicule and a sense of shame.

In retrospect, I give the Bermuda Run children a pass. They were simply mimicking their parents. I can understand this level of immaturity in high schoolers, but am always surprised that any adult would want to extend such puerile behaviors beyond adolescence.  Pretentiousness is rare in the upper class, but pervasive to the middle and upper middle-classes. Most Bermuda Runners fell into these latter categories. Bermuda Run parents universally applied the absurd costumes and manners of sociological “wannabes.” Ironically, pretentiousness does not result from feelings of superiority. It is conversely, a manifestation of extreme insecurity. Snobbery is a desperate clinging to the superficial in the absence of genuine self-worth.

Pretentiousness is a “passive-aggressive” behavior that demonstrates craven hostility[1]. The intent of snobbery is to inflict emotional harm on others. It can effectively harm the immature, but ultimately causes greater harm to the snob him/herself. Snobbery is born of fear, vulnerability, and social incompetence. It serves as a mechanism for generating scraps of esteem in people so small inside that these tiny perceived victories are of value. Pretentiousness is a “short game” that sacrifices intimacy and meaningful relationships for pettiness and cruelty[2].

---

[1] http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/communication-success/201401/how-spot-and-deal-passive-aggressive-people

[2] http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200906/field-guide-the-snob-some-it-haute

Are We Dancing Bears?

If you want to understand a species, observe the behaviors of its members over time. Bears have specific behaviors that have been exhibited throughout bear history. Bears forage, hibernate, are omnivorous, and so on. While the reactions of one bear in a particular situation may be unpredictable, the general behaviors of the species are extremely predictable.

Likewise, observation of the human species yields similar understanding. Throughout history, humans have always organized into groups, aspired towards moving up in their respective social pecking orders, developed religious systems, fought with groups having opposing views and with groups having desired resources, and so on.

It is possible to train a bear to dance and do tricks. A bear can rise above its nature and learn to do things beyond the scope of the average bear. However, training a bear to dance does not change the behavior of the bear species. The dancing bear is an anomaly and will likely be rejected by other bears in nature.

Individual humans can also rise above their base nature and, using the highly complex human mind, learn to live as relatively enlightened, rational animals. But, an enlightened individual does not change the overall patterns of the human species. Socrates, Plato, Gandhi, the Buddha all demonstrated varying levels of enlightened understanding... but they were anomalies and were ultimately rejected by their species.

The species did not become enlightened by the efforts of enlightened individuals. Instead, the human species simply incorporated concrete aberrations of abstract, enlightened messages into the same systems and patterns that have always existed in humans (i.e. forming groups, moving up in social pecking orders, fighting with groups that have opposing viewpoints, etc.).

I postulate that enlightened beings are no more than dancing bears. They are an interesting anomaly having little impact on the species at large. Bears behave like bears. Let them be bears. Humans behave like humans. Let them be humans. We each have the opportunity to develop our minds and bodies far beyond those of the typical human, but that will not change the nature of the human species.

On Men and Guns

I love westerns, biker flicks, and gangster movies. I like guns, and swords, and other dangerous toys. Courage, strength, violence, and heroes are concepts that resonate with my inner 7^th grader. A thirst for adventure is the emotional element that draws me to dangerous themes.

That said, while I own guns, I have never carried one or even considered it. Why would I? If tears say, “I am sad,” and punching a wall says, “I am angry,” then carrying a gun says, “I am scared.” And, I am not scared.

Only a terrified person would need to have a firearm on his person at all times. Some situations warrant such fear. If one is in combat, law enforcement, a violent street gang, or any position where one might reasonably expect to be the target of some else’s firearm, then carrying a weapon is sensible. But, what level of paranoia and anxiety would be required to prompt a person living in ordinary circumstances to believe that, at any moment, someone might try to kill him? If life itself is so goddamned frightening to you that you feel the need to carry a firearm everywhere, I interpret that as a need for psychiatric treatment. And, if I’m not mistaken, an absence of psychiatric problems is a prerequisite for obtaining a concealed weapon permit.

I have been fortunate in my life. At 53, I have resolved every conflict through conversation and/or an ass whipping. Whether I am at a motorcycle rally or in a bad part of town late at night, I move through life without fear of my fellow man.  I’m not saying that I am against guys carrying firearms, only that those who do are also carrying more fear than I can muster.

On Critical Thinking

Kevin Friery Questions from the Floor

By nature, critical thinking leads to more questions than answers. For a skilled critical thinker, issues are rarely simple. Because critical thought requires approaching a problem from many angles and many perspectives, solutions tend to come in shades of gray rather than black and white. 

People who are not inclined towards critical thinking, have a much greater tendency to see things in terms of black and white. For them, conforming to a solution posed by the group with whom they identify is easy and even the obvious "right thing to do." They may interpret the failure of critical thinkers to do likewise as "crazy" or "stupid."


Critical thinking does not come naturally to humans. It requires ongoing training and self-discipline. The difference between the skilled critical thinker and the average thinker is as dramatic as the difference between the physique of a pro body builder and the average physique.

Teach's Precepts for Critical Thinking:

1. High levels of certainly often correlates to low levels of critical thinking [1]
Examples from the Left and the Right of failure to critically evaluate the issue:
1. On the Left: "All of my friends at the health food store say that immunizations are dangerous and cause autism. There are scientific studies that prove it. Immunizations are part of a conspiracy generated by the medical industrial complex."
In truth, there was a single flawed study linking immunization to autism. The results have not been replicated, and overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the need for immunization reflects the consensus of the scientific community. So, if you believe that immunizations are bad, this belief is likely based on anecdotes, your need to conform to the group with whom you identify, and on your intuitive feelings of paranoia.
2. On the Right: "The guys on Talk Radio say that climate change is a myth. Many scientists agree. The whole global warming thing is a conspiracy perpetrated by liberal scientists who want grant money."
Actually, there has never been a more researched natural phenomenon in history than climate change. Overwhelming scientific evidence supports the validity of climate change caused by human activity and this view is supported by a consensus of the scientific community. If you believe that climate change is not occurring or that it is not caused by human activity, this belief is likely based on anecdotes, your need to conform to the group with whom you identify, and on your intuitive feelings of paranoia. http://www.pnas.org/content/107/27/12107.short
That said, alternative theories to the scientific consensus are a VERY good thing. On occasion, the scientist who opposes the consensus will find strong opposing evidence. As opposing evidence accumulates and eventually outweighs supporting evidence, the scientific consensus will shift to the new position. So, if and when evidence opposing immunization and opposing climate change theory accumulates to the tipping point, good critical thinkers (like the scientific community) will shift to the new position.

I was once trying to teach a particularly difficult theory to a class. About half the class understood the theory and the other half didn't get it. When polled, 100% of the students who understood the theory said they agreed with the theory while 100% of those who failed to understand the theory described it as "stupid." It takes time and effort to become informed on complex issues and no effort at all to have a gut level response. Ironically, the informed individual is more likely to be uncertain about his/her position than is the uninformed individual.



2. Objective evidence and logic outweigh popular views and intuition
3. "Feelings" are not evidence. "Common Sense" is not evidence. "Faith" is not evidence. "How I was raised" is not evidence. "Anecdotes" are not evidence.
4. Changing positions when opposing evidence outweighs supporting evidence is the hallmark for critical thought.
5. Ego is the greatest obstacle to critical thought.

[1] "Critical Thinking and Emotional Intelligence." Critical Thinking and Emotional Intelligence. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.

Resolution to Be Less Tolerant in 2015

mt 23 Resolutions.

I plan to be less tolerant of Bullies who camouflage insecurity by feeding cowardly egos on the suffering of the weak and less fortunate.

I plan to be less tolerant of Bigots. They are cruel and stupid, more animal than human. I will not eat at the same table with one and would prefer not to drink from water fountains used by these filthy creatures.

I plan to be less tolerant of Homophobes. Their obsession with what other adult human beings do in the privacy of their bedrooms is twisted and perverted. They should be excluded from any role where they have influence over children, be it parent, clergy, teacher, or scout leader.

I plan to be less tolerant of people who think the statement, “That's just how I was raised,” excuses bad behavior. As children we have no choice but to comply with the norms of our families and cultures. As adults it is our sacred responsibility to improve the world by meticulously evaluating the values and “morals” on which we were raised and discarding any that cause harm or suffering to others.

Message from the Bones of a Broken Pirate

We are here to remind you of who you are.

You are temporary.

You are broken.

You are parts that fit together less and less comfortably

You are a sputtering, coughing stream of semi-consciousness

See how easily the veneer peels away and exposes your frailty?

See how your posture mimics a sail on a still afternoon?

You are the scent of stale, empty space

Hear your voice deepen and crack like an old wooden hull?

There is no place to hide, but you try to hide

You are afraid

You are dishonest

What would happen if you forced your crooked frame into the light of day?

Dare you take a peek at what is real?

Would you die of shame?

Can you neutralize the mechanisms that imprison you?

You made the locks so strong

And you love them so

Its Not Really a "Stream" of Consciousness

Hartwig HKD Cosmic Consciousness

Until very recently, consciousness was considered sort of a “black box,” a mysterious phenomenon too complex to even attempt to explain in any objective manner. However, new theories are beginning to shine a light on the nature of consciousness. The following is my interpretation of how consciousness operates.

“Stream of consciousness,” is a misleading and ultimately inaccurate metaphor. “Hive of consciousness” or “city of consciousness” is a better fit for our current understanding of the phenomenon. “Stream” implies a linear progression, thoughts moving forward single file. Human thought patterns more closely resemble a popcorn popper than an assembly line.

Consider my average morning. The alarm clock goes off and I enter a vague level of wakeful consciousness. The following blur of thoughts emerges in no particular order:

“Where is that alarm clock ugh I hate that noise my back hurts it’s cold outside no way its already 6:30 I have to pee man I don’t want to get up my mouth is so dry shit its cold in here I have so much to do today I bet the dog needs to go out what time is my first class ok five more minutes”

In less than few seconds, this barrage of thoughts has been condensed into a gut feeling, the cognitive shortcut that automatically tallies up every thought and feeling I have in reaction to the alarm going off and prompts me to act…   “I want more sleep,” so I hit snooze.

Hundreds of thoughts whirl in a nonsensical storm of neuronal firings. Then, they are bundled into chunks called gut feelings, and the gut feelings sometimes prompt us to take some kind of action. The whole process is very quick and very constant.

If we use the analogy of a factory, it would look something like this:

1. Different objects (thoughts) are thrown from all directions into a hopper
2. At varying levels of hopper volume, the objects are bagged up (gut feelings)
3. The bags are conveyed to three different locations
4. Most of the bags will go to the incinerator (the forgetting process)
5. Some, will be warehoused for later use (memory)
6. And, the remaining bags will trigger the “on” switch for any of a wide array of machines (taking some kind of action)

In the same way that our bodies are composed of millions of cells living out their lives as tiny coordinated components of the universe that make up your physical self, your consciousness is composed of millions of random thoughts firing from different parts of the brain and living out their sparks of existence as coordinated components of the universe that is your conscious self.

Personal Mythology: What's Your Theme?

Luca Masters Sand Castle

Freud was keen on the influence of early experiences on personality development. Recently, I explored memories of my own solitary, fantasy play themes from childhood. I chose solitary play, when a child is playing alone with only simple toys and his/her imagination, because the manifestations are a pure reflection of the child's inner world. What I found was a fascinating consistency in patterns that have endured throughout my life! I discussed the phenomenon with my girlfriend who was, likewise, able to recognize play themes that became woven into the very fabric of her personal identity and sense of purpose.

I grew up on the coast of South Carolina. My parents took me to the beach as regularly as parents from other places might have taken their kids to the park. After swimming, body surfing, and feeding some of my snacks to the seagulls, I always built an elaborate sand castle with multiple walls and moats to protect it from the incoming tide. I gained huge satisfaction from re-fighting this losing battle of frantically fortifying my creation against ever advancing waves. The theme of the underdog, bravely taking on impossible odds and fighting until the end resonated deep inside me.

At home, I liked to play smash up derby with my toy cars. I would repeatedly crash two cars together in head-on collisions until one of the cars capsized. The winner would be the car that landed with all four tires on the ground. Some cars were “good guys” others were “bad guys.” My favorite car was the oldest, most beat-up vehicle in my collection. The dilapidated car was an old veteran of the game, battle worn and over the hill, but with such heart that, win or lose, it would fight with its last ounce of strength.

Fighting for the underdog continues to provide a deep sense of meaning in my life. For good or ill, I equate suffering for a good cause to nobility. I have always considered myself peculiar in that, while “winning” in a challenge is nice, it has never been my top priority. For me, "fighting the good fight” takes precedence above all else. Giving my best effort and enduring whatever difficulties that might emerge, represent my gut level measures of success. Winning and goal achievement are wonderful, but of much less importance than giving my all.

My girlfriend's early fantasy play involved pretending to organize elaborate fashion shows. Her role was always to provide support and encouragement to aid her imaginary friends in successfully “starring” in the shows. For my girlfriend, her own inner knowledge of the importance of her contributions and NOT recognition from others defined nobility of character. As an adult, creativity, fashion, and working “behind the scenes” continue to shape her personal sense of meaning.

What were the themes of your fantasy play as a child? Do those themes continue to play out in your adult life? I would love to hear your stories.

Robin Williams

One in four people with bipolar disorder will die by suicide. Abby Hoffman, Phil Ochs, Ernest Hemingway, and Robin Williams all suffered from mental illness. Complicating factors in these deaths are the intrinsic resistance patients have to complying with medical treatment, and well meaning but poorly informed friends and family who reinforce the idea that treatment is unnecessary in all but the floridly psychotic.

I have known two good people who took their own lives and in each case there was a denial of the seriousness of mental illness both by the victims and by the people who loved them.

Psychiatric medicine is still in its infancy. It requires patience and good communication between practitioners and patients. Psychiatry is not snake oil and it is not a conspiracy to "drug people up." Like any serious medical treatment, a cost/benefit analysis should be employed and second opinions should be procured.

The world loses many brilliant minds and kind hearts unnecessarily to mental illness. Think twice before you tell someone to stop or refuse medical treatment for mental illness.

Wealth Distribution in the US if there were 100 People and the GDP was $1000

Or

1 person gets $430

4 people get $72.50 each

15 people get $14 each

and

80 people get $0.87 each

Chicago Marathon & Race Gear to Africa

http://www.gofundme.com/ericas-campaign

MORGANTON, NCSPORTS

$2,230 of $3,000

Raised by 23 people in 2 months

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Created May 12, 2015

Erica Schwarting

Greetings family and friends both near and far,

I would like to request your assistance in a campaign that I have set up that will consist of 3 parts over the course of the next few months. I will quickly share the details with you (as well as a few photos) and I hope you will take a moment to make a donation.



~ 2015 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON SPONSORSHIP REQUEST:

This October I have been accepted as a runner in the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I have been running for several years now and last month I finally completed a long time goal by running my first full marathon in Raleigh, NC (26.2 miles). The Chicago Marathon is one of the majors, so I am inspired beyond words to be able to participate.

My request to you: Please consider making a donation in any amount that works for you to help sponsor the race journey. Large or small it will add up in helping me reach a goal that I am working hard to achieve.

~ RACE GEAR TO AFRICA SPONSORSHIP REQUEST:



Last year, my husband Rusty and I traveled to Moshi, Tanzania in Africa to participate in the Mt. Kilimanjaro Marathon. During our trip we were able to visit the Upendo Orphanage and the Korongoni Secondary School - Clarinets for Conservation Program; only to name a few of the lifechanging locations we experienced. Two of the items we took on our journey were a large number of race t-shirts (that my wonderful sister-in-law Ellen and my mom found at a thrift store) and an enormous duffle bag of gently used running shoes that Fleet Feet in Hickory, NC so kindly donated. It is difficult to adequately express the need that we saw for those items once we arrived in Moshi for the race and I am not sure I have ever encountered folks that were so grateful to receive the items we brought.

In the spirit of our journey last year, Rusty and I have made arrangements to send the t-shirts and running shoes again this year for any Tanzanian race participants who are in need. As part of your generous donation, we will be utilizing the funds to assist in shipping the donated shoes and shirts to the Mt. Kilimajoro Marathon Coordinator, Marie Frances. Ethopian Airlines will be our official race gear transportor.



WHERE WILL ANY REMAINING FUNDS GO?

We will also be donating ALL of the remaining funds from this campaign to the beautiful children we met at the UPENDO ORPHANAGE. My husband and I spent the day at this orphanage in Tanzania and it completely won our hearts over. The average worker earns only $1 per day, so our contribution last year and what we are able to give this year through your donations will assist in making a difference in the lives of many.





-TO CONCLUDE:

I would like to thank each of you in advance and hope you will consider participating in my campaign.

A huge THANK YOU to the following:

- Wisteria Southern Gastropub (Morganton, NC)

-Ethiopian Airlines for being our transportation sponsor for our running Gear to Africa campaign.

-Oak Hill Iron (Morganton, NC)

-Table Rock Pharmacy (Morganton, NC)

-ALL of the wonderful FRIENDS & FAMILY who have made such generous donations.

Notes on Patriotism from an American Atheist

In his book, Capture the flag: a political history of American patriotism, Woden Teachout distinguishes American patriotism from American nationalism.[1] American nationalism requires love and support for our country. I relate nationalism to the commitment one feels for a favorite sports team. Regardless of who is playing on the team, who is coaching the team, who owns the team, and how well the team is doing this season, the fan proclaims, “My team is the best!” Likewise, regardless of the foreign policies of this country, domestic policies of this country, and data on how this country ranks in the world on myriad issues, the nationalist proclaims, “America is the best!” Nationalistic flag waving support for any and all military actions initiated by the US, regardless of the moral grounding of these actions, very much resembles a sports fan rooting for his/her favorite team. The mantra of the American nationalist is, “AMERICA, LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!”

Conversely, the focus of American patriotism is love and support for the ideals of our country. The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution articulate these values:

·         Popular Sovereignty: The people are the ultimate source of the authority for the government. It derives its right to govern from their consent.

·         Majority Rule and Minority Rights: While decisions are ultimately made by the majority, these decisions may not infringe on the rights of the minority

·         Limited Government: The powers of government are limited by law and kept in check through separated and shared powers, due process of law, and leadership succession through elections

·         Basic Rights: Life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.[2]

As an atheist and a skeptic, I have a deep appreciation for the incisive simplicity of these principles. True American patriotism, by its very nature, prohibits nationalism. A true American patriot holds government accountable to the people. The Iraq War, which ultimately killed between 144,745 and 166,468 civilians and orphaned over half of Iraq’s children, was initiated despite the CIA’s “best Intelligence” indicating Saddam Hussein did NOT have weapons of mass destruction.[3]  A war precipitated by ignoble motivations is tantamount to mass murder and should be repellant to a real American patriot.

There is a significant correlation (.78) between the nature of legislation passed in the US and the desires of the economic elites in America.[4] There is a near zero correlation (.03) between the nature of legislation passed in the US and the desires of the average citizen in America.[5] These statistics demonstrate that popular sovereignty does not currently exist in the US! The American patriot is outraged by such information that cuts to the heart of our democracy. The nationalist may shrug it off as, “just politics.”

A true American patriot ensures that minority rights are protected. The Constitution is very clear on this point. However, disregard for the rights of minorities are in the news every day. African Americans represent 13.2%[6] of the US population, but are arrested at a rate “10 times higher than people who are not black.”[7] Unfairness to any minority group is repugnant to a true patriot, but may be seen as trivial to the nationalist.

A true American patriot supports the separation and limitations of power in government. Laws like Citizens United nullify the checks and balances put into place by the framers of the Constitution to ensure that power is never in the hands of a privileged few. When the economic elite fund politicians from both sides of the isle at all levels of government, there is no longer any real separation of power. Any process that undermines our democracy is an outrage to a patriot. Nationalists, however, will continue to wave the flag and shout, “We’re the best!”

A true American patriot supports the natural rights of everyone everywhere to live freely and pursue their own happiness. Freedom is a fragile and complex notion. Initially, a capitalistic, free-market economy is a healthy environment to foster freedom. However, anyone who has played the game Monopoly knows that it always ends the same way. One player will own everything, while the other players have nothing. Monopoly is an unrestrained capitalist, free-market economy. In the real world, if a society wishes to preserve freedom, capitalism must have checks and balances that continuously even the playing field. Regulations on banking, Wall Street, and others at the top of the food chain protect liberty and freedom for the average citizen.

The fundamental values outlined in the Constitution are forever in the hearts of true American patriots. American liberals and American conservatives should also be American patriots. Nationalists wrapped in the American flag, who claim patriotism, need to be outed for what they really are.

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[1]  Teachout, Woden (2009). Capture the flag: a political history of American patriotism. New York, New York, USA: Basic Books. p. 230. 

[2] "CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY." CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

[3] Taylor, Peter. "Iraq War: The Greatest Intelligence Failure in Living Memory." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

[4] Gilens, Martin, and Benjamin I. Page. "Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest

Groups, and Average Citizens." Perspect. Polit. Perspectives on Politics 12.03 (2014): 564-81. Web.

[5] Gilens, Martin, and Benjamin I. Page. "Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest

Groups, and Average Citizens." Perspect. Polit. Perspectives on Politics 12.03 (2014): 564-81. Web.

[6] "USA QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau." USA QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

[7] Heath, Brad. "Racial Gap in U.S. Arrest Rates: 'Staggering Disparity'" USA Today. Gannett, 19 Nov. 2014. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.