When I returned to school and, after years of effort, earned my bachelor’s degree, I was understandably proud of my achievement.

Similarly, when my daughters do well in school, or I get a promotion, or the country elects an intelligent man to the presidency, I am proud to be a parent, a hard worker, and an American respectively.

I played a part in each of these examples by contributing to the rearing of my daughters, doing well at my job, and exercising my right to vote.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with feeling prideful as a result of an accomplishment.

In fact, it’s quite natural.  Most of us strive to achieve one thing or another every day of our lives.

Have you ever been proud of something that you had nothing to do with?

• If someone gives you a gift, are you proud?  Do you do anything other than accept or reject it graciously?
• If the sun shines on the day of your barbeque, are you proud, or do you just enjoy your good fortune?
• If you open your eyes in the morning and realize that you are not dead, are you proud, or are simply grateful to be alive for another day?

Of course, there’s nothing to be proud of in these instances because they just happened.  You couldn’t have any influence over any of these scenarios; so naturally, there’s nothing to be proud of.

So tell me, why is it so common to hear people proclaim:

I’m proud to be an American!

Are we proud because of what we have helped America accomplish, or are we proud just because we were born here?  Is the cosmic accident of our place of birth something to be proud of?  That would be silly, wouldn’t it?

I’m proud to be an American!

On the surface, this seems reasonable if we are referring to the many accomplishments of this country.  The proclamation is not only fine; it is also accurate, because as citizens, we elect leaders to act on our behalf to accomplish great things.

And America has done just that – accomplished great things both here and abroad.

However, this is not the context in which we usually hear this pride professed.  More often than not, it is used as either (1) a shield to guard against any and all liberal criticism or (2) a branding iron with which to emblazon the behinds of all non-conservatives with an anti-American brand.

The GOP – Sarah Palin, in particular – are guilty of erroneously defining pride of country.

• If the President honestly acknowledges some of America’s mistakes, they brand him with an “A” because he’s an Apologist.
• If the current administration acts to ensure the well being of all Americans, they get the dreaded “S” for their subversive Socialist leanings.
• If I believe that placing God in the legislature is no different from what The Islamic Republic of Iran does in terms of having both a President and a Supreme Leader – who has the final say in all matters political and religious – they brand me with an “F” for Foolishly believing in the separation of church and state.

“It is really good to be here in the land of 10,000 lakes with patriots – patriots who love your country,” Palin said. “You are so proud to be Americans and you love your good hunting and fishing. Some of you clinging to your guns and religion like the rest of us.”

wcco.com: Bachmann-Palin Rally Gets Republicans Fired Up, Apr 7, 2010.

What?  The best that I could extract from this jumbled group of words is that Sarah Palin believes that we are supposed to be proud to be Americans because of hunting, fishing, guns, and religion.

Thanks, but no thanks, Sarah.

I am proud of America when we do what’s right, but it would be idiotic of me to be proud of America when we don’t.  This doesn’t mean that I love my country any less.  It simply means that I want to encourage America to continually strive to improve.

My country should expect no less of me.

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