Patriotism and Its Discontents

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It's the Fourth of July, the day Americans celebrate our independence and "more perfect union." It's been 242 years since colonial American statesmen issued The Declaration of Independence. Since then, federal elections have been held every two years, even during the Civil War, as Americans elected those who swore an oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Partisan politics and rancor have had a long and pervasive influence on America's affairs over that time as party fortunes have swung left and right, with the pendulum looking for the center.

Today is no different. Or is it?

In a recent Wall Street Journal article titled The Culture That Sustains America's Constitution, Joseph Tartakovsky writes:

"Constitutionalism is not a mere institutional form but a culture – a set of sentiments, habits, and assumptions, a permeating spirit that animates an otherwise lifeless paper scheme. Without this instinctive loyalty, the Constitution's checks and balances are barricades of foam and counterweights of butterfly's breath. It is not in having a constitution that our strength lies, but in cherishing it."

More than 200 years earlier Founding Father Samuel Adams said:

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of a common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader."

According to a recent Gallup poll, only 47 percent of us are "extremely proud" to be Americans. And lest you think we've simply become a more humble country, look closely at the data. One's party, gender, ethnicity, age, and education are key factors contributing to or detracting from pride in America. In other words, identity politics.

This polarizing divisiveness is festering not only in the media and in the streets, it's invaded our places of worship, family dinners in public restaurants, and even the enclaves of ultra-liberal outposts like Martha's Vineyard.

Gary Varvel