Debate:Is most government criticism really patriotic?

!

THIS IS A DEBATE PAGE, NOT AN ARTICLE. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Conservapedia. Your opinion is welcome! Please remember to sign your comments on this page, and refrain from editing other user's contributions. New Users: Please read our "Editing etiquette" before posting

It is not the function of the government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error. -U. S. Supreme Court

To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. -Theodore Roosevelt

"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against its government." -Edward Abbey

YES

The point of citizens criticizing their country is so that mistakes can be avoided and to strengthen the country. This is not unpatriotic. However, if one attacks the country and offers no solutions, this can be viewed as unpatriotic.

A country without critics will become bloated and egotistical. Someone needs to point out the wrongdoings of various nations. Barikada 00:02, 12 March 2008 (EDT)

You know, this question reminds me of when Britney Spears said "Honestly, I think we should just trust our president in every decision he makes and should just support that, you know, and be faithful in what happens." The insanity and stupidity of that statement is self-evident to anyone with a functioning mind. The term Patriotism is essentially "Fatherland" in Latin, meaning, the support of the country not the government. [And NO, those two are not intertwined].

In fact it's unpatriotic to be silent when a government is corrupt. DLerner 07:30, 12 March 2008 (EDT)

"True patriotism is not loving your country uncoditionally, but seeing its flaws and working to fix them" that's how liberals do it, that's how conservatives do it, and its worked out pretty well so far-ginganinja

NO

"Acts that once would have horrified most Americans now pass below the public radar, as though they were part of the patter of normal political discourse." [1] And under the guise of "just having a healthy debate" people are giving aid and comfort to the enemy in a way that would have been called treason 60 years ago. --Ed Poor 09:43, 21 May 2007 (EDT)

Probably Not, But Whatchagonnado?

People will always criticise whatever government is in power. It's the nature of people. It's also an inalienable right. Underscoreb 17:25, 12 November 2007 (EST)

This debate has been grossly overlooked. To create a biblical parallel, I will provide an analogy: The government is our protector, once from communism, today from terrorists and Islamists. God is likewise our protector from Satan. To criticize the government is like criticizing God- It simply is not acceptable. Underscoreb, I do not believe it is an inalienable right to criticize the government and I do think that action could be taken to prevent the occurrence. ChrisWa

If you are unable to criticize the government then you are not living in a democracy. Rellik 23:54, 11 March 2008 (EDT)

So... if the communists were in control of the government where you are, would you criticize them? Barikada 00:02, 12 March 2008 (EDT)

ChrisWa, I'm sure many politicians would appreciate your unintentionally parodic opinion, they love being compared to God :) DLerner 07:30, 12 March 2008 (EDT)

The problem is Chriswa, that our government is not God they are human bings just like us. They can make mistakes and they will that is why there is government criticism. Riklionheart (EDT)