A few years ago, all the talk from the politicians was about patriotism. I believe it was when the senator from Chicago was running for President. He did win the election making history as the first African-American United States President. I went to the Inauguration. The excitement among all the people was palpable. Every ethnicity was represented there. Yes, I was happy because it was hard fought. He was smeared, lambasted, second-guessed as a U.S. citizen. His wife was criticized for saying that this was the first time she was proud to be an American.

What happened to Patriotism? Patriotism seemed to be the banner for the Republicans of 2008. I haven’t really heard the word at all since President Barack Obama has been office. What I have seen is blatant disrespect at a level I have not witnessed before.

Now, I’ve said up front that I am a Conservative Democrat. I am Pro Life. I believe because I am a Christian and the Bible is my guide for life, that marriage is ordained by God between a man and a woman. Although, I have never owned a gun, I believe that we have a right to possess arms.

What is patriotism? Love of country? Wanting the best for your country? Wanting to see your country succeed? Wanting your leader, your President to succeed? Oh no, have I gone too far?  I think I may have, because I remember when President Obama took office the republicans’ pledge was to do everything to stop, kill, slow down President Obama’s agenda. In fact, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was determined to make President Obama a one-term president.

Now, I know we have our preferences, which is why we go to the polls to make our votes count, but I don’t think wanting see our U.S. President fail is patriotic. I was appalled when President Obama was giving a speech on health care and a Republican House Member shouted “you lie”. I would have felt the same had it been a Republican president. At minimum, I would believe one would respect the office.

So, I sit here watching the politics on TV and am just flabbergasted at how I hear different republican politicians, presidential candidates, and pundits talk about the President. I hear over and over let’s take our country back. Who has it? Are we not all Americans?

I didn’t vote for President George W. Bush, but for me to want him to fail, would mean we fail. America fails.

Again I ask, what happened to patriotism? Does patriotism only count when the person for whom we voted is in office? So then, it is not about love of country, right?