Why I Fly the American Flag
America - Love it and Change It?
I fly the American flag. I fly it on the Fourth of July, and on Flag Day - which is also my father's birthday. He always said "they put the flags out for me." I fly it because I love this country.
I love the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. I love the idealism of the founding fathers and think it was miraculous.
We have had one of the few revolutions in the history of the world that has been successful. Most revolutions become as repressive as the forces that preceded them.
But I also want to change this country. People who know me, who know my love for the working person and the feeling that we are being sold down the river by the government and the banks - are sometimes surprised when I say I also am a patriot. I believe that there the United States is still a free country, and we have a pivotal role in the world in remaining that way. I think that there are threats to liberty, and that our threats to our prosperity might destroy us as well.
Who flies the American flag? I believe it is not just a blind patriot, but also those who care enough about a country to warn when it is getting off course.
The truth of the matter is that people who love their country, work to keep it free. The Flag persists through challenges -yet we need to help it.
The American Flag by Elaine Landau - True Americana For Children
An excellent history of the American flag, presented in an interesting hunt for the right answer format. This book is a very inexpensive book - less than ten dollars - that gives you a lot of information in a fun way.This is a very complete history - complete with many visual aids such as lively sidebars, a glossary and index.
Strengths of America - As Demonstrated in the Declaration of Independence
The flag in 1776 still showed British influence: the Union Jack was in the canton rather than the stars that came to represent the states. It was called the "Continental Colors."
June 14, 1977 brought us the Flag Resolution: which brought flag we know now in that there were stars in the canton representing the thirteen colonies that became the thirteen states , near a field of red and white stripes. The design of the stars in the Flag was not official: there was a circular design which was reputed to be by Betsy Ross as well as was reputed to have a circular design, as well as another design where the stars were arranged in lines.
Through the years the number of the stripes has stayed steady at 13 - except for one brief period of 15 - perhaps to honor the original thirteen colonies. The stars of course have changed, because new states have been added and a star is added for every star.
The flag has flown in many countries through our wars, and in US Embassies throughout the world today.
In 1969 - astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin planted the American flag on the Moon. Apollo 11 - the Eagle- had landed and brought with her the symbol of American freedom.
The American Revolution was one of the most successful that the world has experienced, partially because it was based on the precepts stated in the Declaration of Independence. As opposed to other revolutions like the Communist Revolutions of China and Russia, we actually worked towards more human freedom.
- " All Men are Created Equal"
This is the basis of our country, and of all the strengths.
- "They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
We have the rights to make our way through life, to live freely and aim for our happiness.
- "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
That is - Governments are to be helping us, to be supporting our pursuit of happiness.
- "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
We have a right to expect a government that supports our rights, and to abolish it if it not.
- " Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
Nonetheless, we should be cautious about destroying one form of government so that we do not install one that is more grievous than the one before.
The Stars and Stripes - America's First Flag
The Continental Congress officially approved the on June 14, 1777 - at the Second Continental Congress. The blue canton contained 13 stars, representing the original 13 colonies, but the layout varied. It is thought to have been made out of hemp, a material that was strong enough to fly on ships. It is not totally confirmed that Betsy Ross was responsible. Earlier American flags had the Union Jack on them, this flag had stars and red and white stripes.
How Do You Know What is the Truth Politically?
How Do you Make your Decisions?
Where to Get Good Reliable Political News
Many wars have been fought in the name of the flag, starting with the American Independence War of course.
I will not make the decision if all the battles were necessary.
But, because war is so expensive, and so increasingly dangerous it becomes more important every day that we find new ways to solve conflicts. And it may be that a true patriot takes on the wars against injustice and poverty instead of other people.
It is important not to be cynical, and to be well informed about our country. Lensmaster PurplePansy has done an excellent job in providing us with good resources for reliable news in a day of hype.
- Economic Insecurity and the Middle-Class Squeeze
One of the main threats to the American way is that it is becoming harder and harder to make our way financially. The income gap between the very rich and the very poor in the United States has increased dramatically in the last thirty years. As wel - Threats to American Freedom through the National Defense Authorization Act
The National Defense Authorization Act is how the military is funded. However the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 went far beyond that with sweeping threats to liberty - including the highly controversial indefinite detention law. In direc - Intolerance and Hatred for those not Like us
Even though all men are created equal and assured the right for the pursuit of happiness, hate crimes against different ethnic groups and blacks and gays continue. Gay marriage is still illegal in most of the United States. There are still some of us - Americans Do not Have A Basic Knowledge of History
To Avoid repeating history - we need to know it. And Americans are woefully impaired in this area.
How To Take Care of the American Flag - How to Fly it and Store it Properly
Should Flag Burning Be Legal?
American Flag burning as a protest is one of the most controversial practices that has come around in the last century. Flag burning is done in other countries to protest the US policies - it is also done here at times by protesters.
Should American Flag burning as protest be legal?
A Bit of History of the Patriotic Holiday
The birthday of the American flag is celebrated on June 14 - the first "Flag Day" was after a decree by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Flag Day celebrates the adoption of Old Glory by the Second Continental Congress in 1777.
Although this day is not designated as a federal holiday, many municipalities celebrate - largely by parades.
The United States is not the only country with a flag day; many countries from Albania to Ukraine have a special day to honor their flag.
My father chose an interesting day to be born!
Boy Scouts and Veterans retire the American Flag - Worn and torn American Flags Disposed of Properly
I was surprised to find out that the proper way to dispose of an American Flag is to burn it in a solemn ceremony. Here Boy Scouts and Veterans join together to say good bye to the Flag.
My knowledge of flag burning involved the protests in the Vietnam War, where it was often done as a sign of disrespect for what was going on in the country.
Here the context is completely different
Can Blue and Red Mix? - Will the United States be permanently divided into extreme liberal and extreme conservative factions?
In the last few elections we have heard about "Blue States" - solidly Democratic and "Red States" - Republican, like there is no way the two can co-exist. Politicians in Congress who have been around are saying that nothing can get done, because no one will compromise, and there is more time spent on name-calling and polarizing activities than statesmanship.
But the truth is: most Americans are moderate, and even on issues we feel strongly about we can compromise, or sometimes reconsider the issue due to the circumstance. For instance the abortion issue truly leads itself to a need for a situation by situation response, and yet there seems to be a knee-jerk reaction to these issues that does not lead to answers. And we may not fit into boxes well: we may totally feel that gay marriage should be legalized because it is a civil rights issue, and yet be anti-abortion. We may want to punish criminals, and yet believe pot should be legalized.
Polarized discussions harm the country. I believe we should support our politicians who are brave enough to compromise, to see where red and blue can mix. I recently read that the moderate are the most likely to stay home at voting day - adding to the polarization.
Threats from Inside
One of the biggest threats the government has now comes from within. At the time now the government has shut down due to an inability to talk to each other, and they are threatening to not fund the debt ceiling which would cost much more money in the long term.
Bloomingrose is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. She also receives affiliate commission from eBay and other affiliate programs on items that are for sale, unless specifically indicated.
